Orientalism

This is an absolute must in any colonial and postcolonial literature student's library, as well as anyone who's remotely interested in cultural, psychological and literary studies. It's an amazing read and contains some very controversial points which have become the springboard for a whole host of literary debates. Said's words have inspired an entire generation of writers and critics who followed, critiqued and wrote with and against this work in particular. As with any other critical work, there is no doubt that there will be many who disagree and agree with it, and this is no exception. It is, by no means, an absolute authority on its subject but it has helped to shape and define much of what we read, how we read, what we see and perceive and how we see and perceive. I cannot recommend this book enough, the rest - I believe - speaks for itself.

In essence, Orientalism reveals that Western representations of the East are not innocent scholarship, but a form of cultural domination that has played a crucial role in sustaining imperial hierarchies. The book challenges us to see beyond these constructed images and to reconsider how power shapes what we know.

This book has altered, for the better I think, how I view other people and importantly other cultures. If you are serious about understanding then this is a book for you. We all tend to judge, I did but not know, other people, other cultures according to our own beliefs and ideas, our own perspective. This book has taught me to review my thinking: just because we do something one way it does not mean others who do it differently are wrong. This book for me is the top of the hit parade concerning my education. It's a difficult read, well not actually difficult, but its certainly not a time filler. It's a serious book to be read consciously, and carefully considered. You must read it.

Edward Said provides a concise justification for writing this large and complex book - and equally suggests a convincing reason for reading it - in his Afterword: "Orientalism is a study based on the re-thinking of what had for centuries been believed to be an unbridgeable chasm separating East from West. My aim... was not so much to dissipate difference - for who can deny the constitutive role of national as well as cultural differences in the relationships between human beings - but to challenge the notion that difference implies hostility, a frozen reified set of opposed essences, and a whole adversarial knowledge built out of those things." As might be expected, this is a difficult book - to be read carefully, weighing each word - more a long difficult hike than a gentle cruise; nevertheless a `hike' that in the end leaves one feeling greatly enriched. In dealing with the centuries-old traducing of the people and culture of the East by intellectuals of the West, Said begins with Giambattista Vico's observation "...that men make their own history, that what they can know is what they have made," extending this with a detailed analysis of the writings of western historians, travel writers and politicians about `the Orient' which began in a systematic way with Napoleon's conquest of Egypt in 1798. Said is first and foremost a literary theorist and critic, however, and much of the pleasure in reading this book comes from his profound knowledge of the European literary background in which the orientalist theme can be traced to Dante, and perhaps even as far back as Aeschylus. The body of Said's work is a fascinating exposition of the opinions of 19th century writers on the `orient' as different as the scientific philologist Renan, who never went there, and the romantic poets Nerval and Flaubert who traveled there in search of the "fabulously exotic and antique". Perhaps one of the most startling passages quotes Karl Marx's apparent approval of the cruelty and destructiveness of colonialism on the grounds that, while it was willfully destroying the ancient forms of civilization, causing a social revolution in Hindustan "actuated only by the vilest interests," for him the real issue was: "...whatever may have been the crimes of England she was the unconscious tool of history in bringing about that revolution." We are indeed fortunate that we have the consciousness of Said as an antidote to all such blatant instrumentalism. Perhaps his greatest insight, echoing Nietzsche, is that Orientalism is a "system of representations" whose "truths... are embodied in language, and what is the truth of language... but a mobile army of metaphors, metonyms and anthropomorphisms - in short, a sum of human relations, which have been enhanced, transposed and embellished poetically and rhetorically, and which after long use seem firm, canonical, and obligatory to a people; truths are illusions about which one has forgotten that this is what they are." As the pieces are once again thrown in the air in those territories we refer to as `The Middle East,' it seems more than ever necessary to re-examine the illusionary canons. We can wish for no better guide than Edward Said.

Purchased as a gift for my son who is studying anthropology. Reading the blurb & other in depth positive reviews , I decided he would like this. He is looking forward to reading it all but so far so good. Arrived in mint condition.

This book is a concise beautifully written account of both the origins and the deficiencies in the field of 'Orientalism'. Said sites numerous sources and includes a generous amount of exerts to back up every point he makes which could make for some very interesting future reads if your that way inclined. I really love this book and the price was also great. Edward W.Said has a factual and at times humorously satirical execution which made the book extremely fun to read. I found myself chuckling at times as Said can be very deliberately funny and always is with elegance and poise. Great book for anyone interested in this topic or just matters of history and the factors which have shaped society. This was delivered speedily and in perfect condition. :)

I don't think that there is a lot to add to the reviews which praise this book. How 'The West' sees others, especially Islam and Muslims, is so central to current world events that any work which addresses the issue is of interest and any that is as incisive as this one is vital. That 'Orientalism' has withstood 3 decades of counter-attack from from it's detractors is testament to it's strength as a description and an analysis. The book can be tough reading at times and Said can be prone to using twenty words when one will do. A more succinct and readable account of the same thesis is found in Said's 'Covering Islam'. One other minor criticism, Said got Marx wrong. But never mind. Still, essential for anyone who wants to engage with the world today.

Per un graditissimo regalo

Tres bon livre d Edward said le result at de sa these Sur l orientalisme. Je le recommande vivement surtout en anglais.

I will highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Oriental Studies

Anspruchsvoll, daher Ruhe und Zeit zum Lesen erforderlich.