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'''The Arabian Nights''' (also: ''The Thousand and One Nights'') is a collection of stories that originated in the Middle East in medieval times. The stories are set in [[Baghdad]] during the reign of Caliph Haroun-al-Raschid. The originals are in Persian.  

'''The Arabian Nights''' (also: ''The Thousand and One Nights'') is a collection of stories that originated in the Middle East in medieval times. The stories are set in [[Baghdad]] during the reign of Caliph Haroun-al-Raschid. The originals are in Persian.  

In English translation, they captured the imagination of the Western world, particularly in the Victorian era. John Henry Cardinal Newman wrote that "I used to wish the Arabian tales were true: my imagination ran on unknown influences, on magical powers, and talismans."

In English translation, they captured the imagination of the Western world, particularly in the [[Victorian era]]. John Henry Cardinal Newman wrote that "I used to wish the Arabian tales were true: my imagination ran on unknown influences, on magical powers, and talismans."

Among the stories, the Arabian Nights includes the famous stories of "[[Ali Baba]] and the Forty Thieves," "Aladdin and his Wonderful Lamp," and "The Voyages of Sinbad the Sailor." Images of flying carpets and genies in bottles—and the idea of Baghdad as a glittering, cosmopolitan romantic city—come from the Arabian Nights. (The writer [[O. Henry]] in particular was fond of comparing his 1900s New York to the Baghdad of the Arabian Nights).

Among the stories, the Arabian Nights includes the famous stories of "[[Ali Baba]] and the Forty Thieves," "Aladdin and his Wonderful Lamp," and "The Voyages of Sinbad the Sailor." Images of flying carpets and genies in bottles—and the idea of Baghdad as a glittering, cosmopolitan romantic city—come from the Arabian Nights. (The writer [[O. Henry]] in particular was fond of comparing his 1900s New York to the Baghdad of the Arabian Nights).