The book entitled: al-kamil fi al-tarikh by Ibn al- Athir was paid a considerable attention by the Arab and foreign researchers together, whereas the orientalists are regarded as of the pioneers who interested in this book because it dated the period of crusades included by the book al-kamil since their invasion the Levant in (490A.H/ 1097A.D) until (628A.H /1230A.D) whereas this period was full of the events of this invasion which was paid a considerable attention by the orientalists .undoubtedly, it reflects the Islamic viewpoint towards this invasion .
The first edition of the book al- kamil was issued by the investigation of the orientalist called, Tornberg (1807-1877A.D), depending on many manuscripts of this book scattered in the European libraries such as the library of Upsala in Sweden ,the National library in Paris, the British museum. It can be said that there is no independent study about the manuscripts and their nature depended by Tornberg in his investigation of the book al-kamil . Herein, the importance of the research emerged to know the manuscripts on which this orientalist depended ,which their descriptions, and the location of their existing.