This 170-pages book is an old limited edition French copy that I was given by one of my favorite aunts, many years ago. I keep it on my nightstand ever since and re-read passages every once in a while.
Omar Khayyam, the author, is said to have been born in Khorasan, Persia, in 1048. A jack of many trades, he was a notable mathematician, an astronomer and also a poet. His world famous quatrains are written as four-line poems and were first translated several centuries later by Edward Fitzgerald. This allowed for their tremendous success ever since the Orientalism period of the late 19th century. The imagery of the verses is quite powerful. These seemingly simple rhymes will make you think and sometimes even head with you to other realms.
This is a highly recommended read, when you feel like completing your knowledge.
