From Babel to Dragomans: Interpreting the Middle EastOxford University Press, 2004 - 438 pages Bernard Lewis is recognized around the globe as one of the leading authorities on Islam. Hailed as "the world's foremost Islamic scholar" (Wall Street Journal), as "a towering figure among experts on the culture and religion of the Muslim world" (Baltimore Sun), and as "the doyen of Middle Eastern studies" (New York Times), Lewis is nothing less than a national treasure, a trusted voice that politicians, journalists, historians, and the general public have all turned to for insight into the Middle East. Now, this revered authority has brought together writings and lectures that he has written over four decades, featuring his reflections on Middle Eastern history and foreign affairs, the Iranian Revolution, the state of Israel, the writing of history, and much more. The essays cover such urgent and compelling topics as "What Saddam Wrought," "Deconstructing Osama and His Evil Appeal," "The Middle East, Westernized Despite Itself," "The Enemies of God," and "Can Islam Be Secularized?" The collection ranges from two English originals of articles published before only in foreign languages, to previously unpublished writings, to his highly regarded essays from publications such as Foreign Affairs and The New York Review of Books. With more than fifty pieces in all, plus a new introduction to the book by Lewis, this is a valuable collection for everyone interested in the Middle East. Here then is a rich repository of wisdom on one of the key areas of the modern world--a wealth of profound reflections on Middle Eastern history, culture, politics, and current events. |
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Abbasid Africa ambassador American ancient Arab socialism Arabia archives Asia Assassins became British Cairo Caliphate called century Christendom Christian civilization com con conflict countries course Crusaders cultural diplomatic domination dragoman early Egypt Egyptian embassy enemies English Europe European example Fatimid foreign French God’s Greek hatred Hebrew historians historiography holy ideas ideological imperial important India interest Iran Iranian Iraq Islamic world Isma ili Israel Istanbul Italian Jewish Jews kind king lands language Lebanon literature loyalty major means medieval Middle East Middle Eastern military modern Muslim Nazi non-Muslim one’s Ottoman Empire Ottoman Sultan Palestine pan-Arab Persian political problem propaganda Prophet Qur’an regime region religion religious Republic revolution revolutionary rule rulers Russian Saddam Saddam Hussein sense Shi a Shi ite social society sometimes Soviet Union Sunni Syria term tradition translation treaty Turkey Turkish Turks West Western word writing Zionism