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Reel Bad Arabs: How Hollywood Vilifies a People
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Reel Bad Arabs: How Hollywood Vilifies a People |
The bottom line, up front: Jack Shaheen's Reel Bad Arabs is a necessary resource for anyone seriously interested in the subject of negative stereotyping of Arabs in American cinema. The best supplement to this book, by the way, besides its recently released DVD companion piece, is the same author's The TV Arab. That work provides a sustained analysis and background regarding Arab stereotyping on the small screen. On the downside, however, both are a bit dated (I am using the original 2001 edition of Reel Bad Arabs) and perhaps dangerously so at times. More about that in a bit.
Continue reading "Reel Bad Arabs: How Hollywood Vilifies a People"
Posted by Matthew Hogan at 12:47 AM | Comments (11) | TrackBack
Khomeinism: Essays on the Islamic Republic
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Khomeinism: Essays on the Islamic Republic |
Interesting examination of Khomeini's very populist and usually pragmatic style of politics. Khomeini in this analysis comes off as a surprisngly flexible thinker, more than willing to alter his theology in practice (if not always openly in theory) to work the crowds. Well worth reading as a counter to the common popular view of Khomeini as an entirely inflexible dogmatist (or a fundamentalist, a descriptor Arahamian disputes on semantic grounds).
Posted by Tamerlane at 07:59 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Islam, Politics and Pluralism: Theory and Practice in Turkey, Jordan, Tunisia and Algeria
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Islam, Politics and Pluralism: Theory and Practice in Turkey, Jordan, Tunisia and Alberia |
Very well done almost pamphlet-sized volume that very concisely describes the rise of Islamism in MENA in general, the trajectory of Islamist movements in the countries listed, and their interplay with notions of electoral politics and movement towards representative democracy in the same. Ultimately she makes a compelling (if not airtight) argument that perhaps the best way to moderate Islamist movements (and the only way to move forwards towards true democracy in the region) is to include them within the democratic framework, as Turkey has successively done.
Posted by raf* at 07:57 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
Faith At War
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Faith at War: A Journey on the Frontlines of Islam, from Baghdad to Timbuktu |
Well over a year after the book's first release, one paragraph alone validates the continuing worth of Yaroslav Trofimov's Faith At War. Although buried in chapter 12, among seemingly more telling fare, had a few planners in high positions in several countries took it seriously last year, a lot of embarrassing reckless victory promises and glibly proclaimed regional "pangs" would not have issued forth:
True to is reputation, Hezbollah proved the most efficient organization I have come across in the Middle East...[Each] interview would happen exactly as planned. In my dealings with the U.S. military, I never saw such precision.
Continue reading "Faith At War"
Posted by Matthew Hogan at 10:56 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
A History of Islamic Societies
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A History of Islamic Societies |
Not concise, but a very good historical survey of Islam and Islamic societies. Generally well-written and generally good coverage of the entire Muslim world. Much more a political and social history of the Islamic world, as opposed to Farah, which is more a history of Islam as a religion. Good choice for a single-book purchase.
Posted by Tamerlane at 02:57 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
The Koran: A Very Short Introduction
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The Koran: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) |
A fair introduction to the basic structure and principles of the Qur'an.
Posted by raf* at 07:55 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Discovering Islam; Making Sense of Muslim History and Society
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Discovering Islam: Making Sense of Muslim History and Society |
Commentary on history and particularly interactions with the West, written from a somewhat more personal style than Lapidus or Hodgson, with perhaps a trend towards apologia. You'll either like that take or not - personally, I'm less crazy about it. However I think he offers some valuable perspectives, particularly on the colonial impact and this is a decent second or third volume to pick up.
Posted by Tamerlane at 07:51 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Islamic Studies: A History of Religions Approach
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Islamic Studies: A History of Religions Approach |
Less a history (though there is certainly some of that, especially in terms of growth of modern thought) and more a survey of common Muslim beliefs and observances. Useful adjunct to Farah and Lapidus, but probably not as good a single-volume purchase.
Posted by Tamerlane at 07:50 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Islam: Beliefs and Observances
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Islam: Beliefs and Observances |
Good, concise introduction to Islam, both its early history and historical evolution, as well as and common practices and beliefs. Covers most major divisions and modern Islam.
Posted by Tamerlane at 07:47 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Jihad : The Origin of Holy War in Islam
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Jihad: The Origin of Holy War in Islam |
Not a work on modern extremism, but rather an examination of the creation of the concept of Jihad as a military struggle in the early Islamic community. Interesting work, though I'm not entirely sure I buy all of his analysis.
Posted by Tamerlane at 06:34 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
The Venture of Islam
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The Venture of Islam, Volume 1: The Classical Age of Islam (Venture of Islam) |
Lapidus on steroids in some respects. Denser prose, less complete coverage (Africa and Southeast Asia in particular are slighted), and a bit dated in some places. But a more thorough political and particularly social history of the MENA than Lapidus.
Posted by Tamerlane at 06:05 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
