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Description
The Caliph's House: A Year in CasablancaIn the tradition of A Year in Provence and Under the Tuscan Sun, acclaimed English travel writer Tahir Shah shares a highly entertaining account of making an exotic dream come true. By turns hilarious and harrowing, here is the story of his family's move from the gray skies of London to the sun drenched city of Casablanca, where Islamic tradition and African folklore converge and nothing is as easy as it seems. Inspired by the Moroccan vacations of
In the tradition of A Year in Provence and Under the Tuscan Sun, acclaimed English travel writer Tahir Shah shares a highly entertaining account of making an exotic dream come true. By turns hilarious and harrowing, here is the story of his family's move from the gray skies of London to the sun-drenched city of Casablanca, where Islamic tradition and African folklore converge-and nothing is as easy as it seems.... Inspired by the Moroccan vacations of his childhood, Tahir Shah dreamed of making a home in that astonishing country. At age thirty-six he got his chance. Investing what money he and his wife, Rachana, had, Tahir packed up his growing family and bought Dar Khalifa, a crumbling ruin of a mansion by the sea in Casablanca that once belonged to the city's caliph, or spiritual leader. With its lush grounds, cool, secluded courtyards, and relaxed pace, life at Dar Khalifa seems sure to fulfill Tahir's fantasy-until he discovers that in many ways he is farther from home than he imagined. For in Morocco an empty house is thought to attract jinns, invisible spirits unique to the Islamic world. The ardent belief in their presence greatly hampers sleep and renovation plans, but that is just the beginning. From elaborate exorcism rituals involving sacrificial goats to dealing with gangster neighbors intent on stealing their property, the Shahs must cope with a new culture and all that comes with it. Endlessly enthralling, The Caliph's House charts a year in the life of one family who takes a tremendous gamble. As we follow Tahir on his travels throughout the kingdom, from Tangier to Marrakech to the Sahara, we discover a world of fierce contrasts that any true adventurer would be thrilled to call home.Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Bantam
Published: 12/26/2006
ISBN: 9780553383102
Pages: 349
Weight: 0.85lbs
Size: 8.60h x 5.90w x 0.70d
Review Citations: New York Times 01/28/2007 pg. 24
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4.4 ★★★★★
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Product Reviews
★★★★★ 4
Good DIY Pipe Legs but Powder Coat Quality Lacks
Size: side table leg, Size: side table leg
These industrial style pipe legs make building a DIY end table easy and the kit saves a trip to the hardware store. The fittings go together normally and assembly is simple. Comes individually wrapped. My main issue is the powder coating looks and feels cheap and rubs off easily. The pipes already had marks from touching each other from unboxing. If you do not mind some wear on the finish over time this is a decent purchase. The metal at the hardware store will be thicker and more durable but will cost more. I’d recommend based on ease of having a kit and it being delivered saving me a trip.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2025
★★★★★ 5
Stable, attractive, and easy to turn into a table with your choice of top
Size: side table leg
The X-shape of the table legs - constructed with solid metal flanges, T-joints, X-joints and 1-inch diameter pipes - provides a strong and sturdy base for a wood top. The legs have adjustable feet pads to prevent scratches and ensure stability. Assembly of the legs is relatively simple (the instructions are clear) but you will need your own tools to attach a top.
The industrial design is especially well suited to rec room or finished basement use. I am adding a 28" diameter raw edge slab of wood from a recently felled tree as the top and it is very attractive. (Photo unavailable because after I made certain it would work I sent the slab out for drying and finishing.)
If you want a custom table and have a particular piece of wood you want to use, these legs are an excellent choice.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2026
★★★★★ 5
Very nice kit: Beware it is NOT heavy duty plumbing pipe though!
Size: side table leg
I want to give this kit a high rating, but I need to address the "truth in advertising" bit since there may be an important disconnect between what you think you are getting and what actually comes in the box.
Black plumbing used for shelving or table legs is part of an important niche in interior design. I like the industrial loft look myself and have a variety of glass, steel, and masonry elements in my home. This kit fits that look and provides plenty of "strength" for most domestic uses, like shelves or coffee tables. But they are NOT "industrial pipe" or "maximum durability pipe." Note the phrase "cast iron finish feet," which together with the other claims might lead you to think these are cast plumbing fittings. They are NOT!
The feet and flanges feel like electrical conduit fittings, and the pipe sections are likely aluminum. They might be electrical or they might be multi-use, lightweight pipe.
While all this might lead you to think that you're getting a truly retro, heavy-duty pipe kit made of black plumbing pipe, you are not. But, does it matter? Depends. I find the lighter pipe's smooth finish a nice "tone-down" from the rough plumbing look. All together, this kit provides plenty of strength for most furniture and the rustic pipe look, but with a nicer, lighter finish. To me that is a plus--this is a very nice kit and costs less that if you'd pieced it together from real plumbing parts (I priced it out to compare), and looks retro but cleaner. I knew what to expect because while I got this kit free on Vine, I had purchased a nearly identical kit from another seller last year.
So, I'm giving it 5 stars for what it actually is and for the price, JUST BE AWARE THE NARRATIVE IS MISLEADING. Which is unfortunate because just like some people might want the heavier pipe, I'm betting more would be attracted to the look with a cleaner, lighter feel.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2025
★★★★★ 5
Great buy
Great shelf base! The price is great and it does the job. I just got the actual shelves from Lowe’s and they work great. I used for my teen son’s room and he loves them!
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Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2026
★★★★★ 5
It’s solid and functional
I really like this shelf system.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2026