“Que sais-je?” (which means “What do I know in Arabic?”) is one of the most famous and oldest encyclopedic series and books in the world, and has been issued by the French University Publishing House (PUF) since it was founded by the French publisher Paul Angolfin in 1941 in the midst of World War II.The name of the series was inspired by the famous phrase of the French philosopher Michel de Montaigne to express the constant desire for learning and knowledge. Since its inception, this collection aims to provide the ordinary and non-specialized reader with comprehensive and easy-to-understand introductions to knowledge in various fields of science and humanities. It is required that it be written by prominent scholars and specialists to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information provided.The series is characterized by a unique and historically stable visual and artistic identity, as each book is issued in a uniform and precisely defined pocket size that does not exceed 128 pages.
Content formulation relies on a method that combines intense summarization and cognitive depth to provide a focused summary that enriches the reader in a short time. Structurally, in December 2016, the series transformed into an independent brand affiliated with the French publishing group Humensis, and now includes under its umbrella derivative sub-series that follow the same editorial philosophy.The series has achieved wide international circulation and record sales, and its books have been translated into dozens of languages around the world, including Arabic. The series has enjoyed a strong presence in Arab culture over many decades, as it took over multiple Arab publishing houses, especially in Lebanon and the Maghreb countries, transmitting hundreds of titles to Arab readers, with a special focus on the fields of philosophy, sociology, political science, and history.
