In addition to the recommendations below, a number of large, glossy books on Moroccan jewellery, gardens, paintings, manuscripts, carpets, buildings, usually with French texts, are to be found in most of the larger bookshops in Morocco - notably at the excellent bookshop of the new Marrakesh Museum.

Pierre Bergé and Madison Cox , Majorelle, A Moroccan Oasis (Thames & Hudson, UK). This is one of a series of "small books on great gardens": a superbly photographed volume on the Marrakesh garden created by French furniture designer Louis Majorelle, and now maintained by Yves Saint-Laurent.

Michael Brett , The Moors (Orbis, o/p). A fine illustrated survey of the Moorish Empire, well thought out and with an understanding text.

Titus Burckhardt , Fes: City of Islam (Islamic Texts Society, UK); Moorish Culture in Spain (o/p). Burckhardt's Moorish Culture is a superb study of architecture, history, Islamic city-design and the mystical significance of its art - and as such it's entirely relevant to medieval Morocco. Fes is worth dipping into, if only for the photos; the conceptual approach and respect for tradition, however, are a bit hard going.

Salma Damluji , Zillij: the Art of Moroccan Ceramics (Garnet, UK). An expensive but beautifully illustrated study of the art of ceramic mosaic-work.

Lisl and Landt Dennis , Living in Morocco (Thames & Hudson, UK). An entrancing picture study of Moroccan craft and domestic design, both traditional and modern.

James F. Jereb , Arts and Crafts of Morocco (Thames & Hudson, UK/Chronicle Books, US; o/p). The arts and crafts of Morocco express the kaleidoscope of influences from Black Africa and Islam to the cultural alliance of the Moors and Spaniards. This recent (but currently out-of-print) book, with over 150 colour photographs, is a fascinating introduction to Moroccan arts and crafts and an excellent guide to the museums of the major cities.

Jack Cowart et al , Matisse in Morocco (Thames & Hudson, UK/Abrams, US; o/p). A gorgeous book of the paintings and drawings from the artist's stay in 1912-13. It has not been long out of print.

Lisa Houatt-Smith , Moroccan Interiors (Taschen, UK). This coffee-table tome may be aimed at the interior design market but it goes beyond that in its coverage of traditional crafts, and traditional and modern architecture. Given the mass of colour photography and high production values, it is also remarkably good value.

Andre Paccard , Traditional Islamic Craft in Moroccan Architecture (Editions Atelier, France, 2 vols). This hugely expensive coffee-table tome was written by an architect much favoured by King Hassan. The text is none too engaging but it is massively illustrated and - uniquely - includes photographs of Moroccan Royal Palaces currently in use.

Richard Parker , A Practical Guide to Islamic Monuments in Morocco (Baraka Press, Charlottesville, Virginia, US). Exactly what it claims to be - very helpful and well informed, with introductory sections on architectural forms and motifs, and craft traditions. Privately printed, the book is available at the American Bookstore in Rabat.

Brook Pickering et al , Moroccan Carpets (Laurence King, UK). Edited by a New York collector and dealer, this is the best book on Moroccan carpets - a large format, fully illustrated guide, showing examples region by region.

Herbert Ypma , Morocco Modern (Thames & Hudson, UK/Stewart, Tabori & Chang, US). This superbly illustrated book traces the origins of the great artisan traditions of Morocco (weavers, woodworkers, potters, zellij-makers) and looks at the way contemporary designers and architects reinterpret these influences to create surprisingly modern work.