Edward W. Said
Paperback | Pages: 395 pages Rating: 4.09 | 16208 Users | 918 Reviews
Present Out Of Books Orientalism
| Title | : | Orientalism |
| Author | : | Edward W. Said |
| Book Format | : | Paperback |
| Book Edition | : | 25th Anniversary Edition |
| Pages | : | Pages: 395 pages |
| Published | : | May 2003 by Vintage (first published 1978) |
| Categories | : | Nonfiction. History. Philosophy |
Explanation To Books Orientalism
More than three decades after its first publication, Edward Said's groundbreaking critique of the West's historical, cultural, and political perceptions of the East has become a modern classic. In this wide-ranging, intellectually vigorous study, Said traces the origins of "orientalism" to the centuries-long period during which Europe dominated the Middle and Near East and, from its position of power, defined "the orient" simply as "other than" the occident. This entrenched view continues to dominate western ideas and, because it does not allow the East to represent itself, prevents true understanding. Essential, and still eye-opening, Orientalism remains one of the most important books written about our divided world.Describe Books In Pursuance Of Orientalism
| Original Title: | Orientalism: Western Conceptions of the Orient |
| Edition Language: | English |
| Literary Awards: | National Book Critics Circle Award Nominee for Criticism (1978) |
Rating Out Of Books Orientalism
Ratings: 4.09 From 16208 Users | 918 ReviewsAssessment Out Of Books Orientalism
Every single empire in its official discourse has said that it is not like all the others, that its circumstances are special, that it has a mission to enlighten, civilize, bring order and democracy, and that it uses force only as a last resort. And, sadder still, there always is a chorus of willing intellectuals to say calming words about benign or altruistic empires, as if one shouldn't trust the evidence of one's eyes watching the destruction and the misery and death brought by the latestEdward Said is a whiner! He got the best education from the West and when he was able to stand on his own feet he bit the hand that fed him and started sounding more and more nasty about the Western culture. I can't stand this guy, or even the mention of his name. He is hailed as hero among worshippers of Arabism, and that repulses me.
Intellectual porn for self-hating westerners, shockingly became one of the most influential texts of the last 25 years. Said's pompous, self-important writing style papers over yawning gaps in scholarship and breathtaking dishonesty. Finally, some academics appear to be getting over their institutional infatuation with Said and the critical tide is starting to turn. None too soon.
There's a curious double-standard between what we expect from White guy authors compared to authors of any other background. When an author is a Native American, for example, we tend to expect their books to deliver to us the 'Native American experience'. If the author is a woman, we tend to expect that her book will show us the 'female perspective'--to the degree that female authors who write stories about men are forced to take on a masculine or nondescript name, like J.K. Rowling.So we get
Ive been ashamed I hadnt read Orientalism, and now I know I had reason to be ashamed. Its rightly a classic. Though its ideas have seeped out so that much was familiar, there was a lot of clarity in going back to source. I expected a more pugnacious book, to use a word from the back cover. But its not pugnacious in style or content. Perhaps in the first shock of publication it seemed so. Its a fair-minded book, humanist in a word he refuses to relinquish (that wins my heart). His point is not to
The following is a true story:Me, in a San Franscisco bar reading Orientalism.The blonde girl next to me reading over my shoulder: "So what's Orientalism?"I explain as best I can in a couple sentences. Her: "There are so many isms in Asia - like Buddhism and Taoism. You know what book you should read? The Tao of Poo. It's sooo good. It's, like, the perfect way to teach Americans about Eastern Religion."Horrified, I look back to my book and take a sip of beer.
The following is a true story:Me, in a San Franscisco bar reading Orientalism.The blonde girl next to me reading over my shoulder: "So what's Orientalism?"I explain as best I can in a couple sentences. Her: "There are so many isms in Asia - like Buddhism and Taoism. You know what book you should read? The Tao of Poo. It's sooo good. It's, like, the perfect way to teach Americans about Eastern Religion."Horrified, I look back to my book and take a sip of beer.
0 Comments:
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.