Poetic Philosopher

OMAR KHAYYAM--Harold Lamb-- Doubleday, Doran ($2.50).

Though he was, thanks to Edward Fitzgerald's paraphrase of the Rubaiyat, one of the most popular poets of the 19th Century, only three facts are known about Persian Poet Omar Khayyam. He lived in the 12th Century; he was court astronomer for the Sultan Malikshah; his grave is at Nisapur, Persia. On these three facts, some traditions, and much imaginative reconstruction. Author Lamb has written a 316-page story of Omar's life, loves, adventures. Though Omar Khayyam does not read like an eyewitness report. Author Lamb has turned his travels and studies to such good account that his story is pleasantly plausible. Readers may rely on more than half of what he says. "The main events . . . the major incidents . . . and perhaps half of the actual dialogue . . . are retrieved from contemporary writings, or traditions, and are not invented."

A poor but exceptionally gifted Persian youth, Omar Khayyam was with the Turkish army that routed the Emperor of Constantinople at Malasgird, saw his best friend killed there. Later as a student of mathematics he made such a reputation that the Sultan made him his astronomer. In his crude observatory Omar revamped the calendar, indulged in heretical speculations about the nature of the universe, tossed off unconsidered little rubai (quatrains) when he felt off his feed. A tragic love affair turned him from an ambitious scientist into a world-weary philosopher. Riches and power were heaped on him by the Sultan, who took his soothsaying advice as gospel, but Omar was not much upset when his royal patron died and took his favor with him. Immediately excommunicated for heresy by the doctors of Islam, Omar gave away everything he owned, trudged aimlessly off into the desert.

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