A complete history of Algiers.
To which is prefixed, An epitome of the general history of Barbary, from the earliest times: interspersed with many curious passages and remarks, not touched on by any writer whatever. London printed by J. Bettenham for A. Bettesworth and C. Hitch, 1731
New edition Two parts in one volume, 4to, pp.vi, [iii]-vii, [xxvii], 680, [24]. Bound in contemporary panelled calf, rebacked with modern calf, corners worn. A very good copy. Armorial book-plate on front pastedown of Jeremiah Milles, D.D., President of the Society of Antiquaries and pioneer of the research questionnaire,
See Ann Thomson, Joseph Morgan et le Monde Islamique, 1995.
A comprehensive history of Algeria, by Joseph Morgan (fl.1707-39), who spent the first twenty years of the eighteenth century in north Africa and was present at the siege of Oran in 1707. First published in two volumes in 1728-29, this work provides a full record of the country and its people drawing on available sources together with the author's own experiences. Morgan is highly critical of the Christian writers who held fixed views of Islam and made no attempt to understand the religion or its adherents. In 1723 he had published Mahometism fully explained, a translation of a 1603 manuscript by the Spanish Moslem, Mahomet Rabadan, in which he explained that he wished to provide his co-religionists with a better opinion of Islam then they had till then received. Morgan has been much ignored, partly for his unfashionable favourable view of Islam, partly as Playfair in his Bibliography of Algeria, 1541-1887, stated that "Morgan was an indefatigable plagiarist." This was perhaps an over superficial judgement from a bibliographer who did not have the time to read every book he listed. In fact Morgan lists and compares his sources, including Laugier de Tassy's Histoire d'Alger which he translated to English and published in 1750.