Just a quick follow up on the last blog I actually found an article with Richard Garfield describing his experience with the first set, Arabian Nights.  I think it's interesting he decided to base the set off of A Thousand and One Arabian Nights, a collection of tales from the Middle East from around 800- 1300.  He checked out books from the library to connect the set as much as possible to the events. I hope you all enjoy the article as much as I did!

http://archive.wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtgcom/feature/78