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Orientalism

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Orientalism

By: Edward Said
Narrated by: Peter Ganim
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About this listen

This landmark book, first published in 1978, remains one of the most influential books in the Social Sciences, particularly Ethnic Studies and Postcolonialism. Said is best known for describing and critiquing "Orientalism", which he perceived as a constellation of false assumptions underlying Western attitudes toward the East. In Orientalism Said claimed a "subtle and persistent Eurocentric prejudice against Arabo-Islamic peoples and their culture." He argued that a long tradition of false and romanticized images of Asia and the Middle East in Western culture had served as an implicit justification for Europe and the US' colonial and imperial ambitions. Just as fiercely, he denounced the practice of Arab elites who internalized the US and British orientalists' ideas of Arabic culture. Peter Ganim's narration gives the work an elegant and knowledgable voice.

©1978 Edward Said (P)2010 Audible, Inc. Asia Colonialism & Post-Colonialism Middle East Politics & Government World Middle Ages Iran Africa Capitalism Imperialism Socialism Ancient History Colonial Period Social justice Tradition Crusade
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It raises important ideas. However, lot of repetition of same ideas. More of an academic review than a book for the generalist.

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Brilliant, an amazing read. From start to finish, a real classic, you have to read this book.

Brilliant, an amazing read.

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The book is a true classic and its content is unfortunately still valid today. However, I really disliked the quotes in foreign languages like French or German. I purchased a book in English and I want to hear or read all words and sentences in English.

A true classic but

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The content of the book is highly reapectable, however the narrator is performing a clown out of himself.

Narrator sucks

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I wonder, for example, about Said’s interpretation of Dante’s representation of Muhammad in the eight circle of Hell. For me this conjures the complexity of textual production. One might go through the whole of the Comedy and make similar complaints about each of the sinners who languish in the hell of Dante’s imagining. Not much of a party trick by the standards of today. I think, in short, that Said’s piece is noteworthy not so much for what it says but for when it said it (rather like Richardson’s novels). It is a foundational text, for sure.

I liked the reader!

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