Felipe Maíllo Salgado facts for kids

Felipe Maíllo Salgado was born in Monforte de la Sierra, Spain, in 1944. He is a Spanish expert in languages, a historian, and a novelist. He used to be a professor of Arabic and Islamic Studies at Salamanca University. In 2010, he won the "María de Maeztu" prize for his excellent research at Salamanca University.

His Life Journey

Felipe Maíllo Salgado lived in many different countries when he was young, including France, the USA, Central America, and Singapore. For many years, he worked as a sailor on merchant ships.

He returned to Spain around the time the country was changing to a democracy. He studied Spanish Language and History at Salamanca University. He also studied Semitic languages (like Arabic and Hebrew) at the University of Granada. Later, he earned his doctorate in Spanish Language at Salamanca University. He even studied Arabic Language and Islamic Law in Cairo, Egypt, for several years.

He taught at Salamanca University and also in Buenos Aires, Argentina. His research focuses on three main areas:

• Understanding how language helps us study history.
• Translating old historical texts from Classical Arabic into Spanish.
• Studying Islamic Law.

Since 1990, he has also been writing novels. He has published five novels with a publisher in Buenos Aires.

His Books

Books on History and Language

Felipe Maíllo Salgado has written many books about history, especially focusing on the Arab and Islamic world and its connection to Spain. Here are a few examples:

• Arabic Expressions in Castillian Spanish during the Late Middle Ages (1983): This book looks at how Arabic words became part of the Spanish language a long time ago.
• Basic Vocabulary of Islamic History (1987): This book helps people understand important words used in Islamic history.
• Why did Al-Andalus Disappear? (1997): This book explores why the Muslim-ruled part of Spain, called Al-Andalus, came to an end.
• Dictionary of Islamic Law (2005): This book explains terms used in Islamic law.
• On the Arab conquest of Hispania. Imprecisions, mistakes and nonsense (2011): This book discusses different ideas about how Arabs came to rule parts of Spain.

Translated Works

He has also translated important historical texts from Arabic into Spanish. These translations help more people read and learn from old writings. Some of his translations include:

• History of al-Andalus by Ibn al-Kardabus (1986): This is a history of Al-Andalus.
• Through the Orient by Ibn Jubayr (1988): This book is a travel diary from a journey through the East.
• The Fall of the Cordoba Caliphate and the Petty Kings by Ibn Idhari (1993): This book tells the story of the end of a powerful Muslim kingdom in Spain.

Exhibition Catalogues

Felipe Maíllo Salgado has also helped create catalogues for museum exhibitions. These catalogues explain the items on display.

• “The Jews and Science in the Spanish Peninsula during the Middle Ages” (2002): This was for an exhibition about Jewish contributions to science in medieval Spain.
• “The Country of the Queen of Sheba. Treasures of Ancient Yemen” (2003): He was the scientific curator and author for this exhibition about ancient Yemen.
• “The Journey to the East of the Andalusian Ibn Jubayr” (2006): This catalogue was for an exhibition about the travels of Ibn Jubayr.

His Novels

Felipe Maíllo Salgado writes novels that are strong and effective. He wants his stories to be entertaining and to "hook you up" so you don't get bored.

The Uprooted Trilogy

This is a series of three novels that are connected by a common theme: people who feel "uprooted" or don't have a stable home or place.

• Uncertain Defeats (2000): This novel tells the story of a man's long journey of discovery. It's about both his adventures in the world and his thoughts and memories. The story is told by the main character, making it feel very personal.
• The Impassive Silence of the Gods (2004): This book is about characters who have been through tough times. They try hard to find someone to connect with and a place to belong. The idea of loneliness is very important in this novel.
• Fabled Oblivion (2006): This novel has a unique structure. It tells the story of an investigation into the life of a man who protects an elderly woman. Their lives become intertwined, and the book explores big ideas like love, loneliness, old age, and death.

Other Novels

• The Mornings of the Salamander (2010): This novel tells the history of Spain through the story of one family saga. It follows a family from the late 1800s to the early 2000s. It shows the changes in society and across generations in Spain.
• Autumn Suite (2014): This story is about a sailor in middle age who is struggling with life. The word "nothing" appears often in the book, suggesting that it's hard to change what destiny has planned. The main character often shares his thoughts about life.