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MENA History
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
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
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
The Modern Middle East : Revised Edition
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The Modern Middle East: Revised Edition |
Great collection of articles on the "major issues" in MENA history/studies. Good point of departure.
Posted by raf* at 06:52 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
The Modern Middle East : A History
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The Modern Middle East: A History |
Currently one of the best textbooks on modern MENA history. Perfect for beginners, entertaining for "insiders".
Posted by raf* at 06:50 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
The Middle East: A History
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The Middle East: A History |
Good general history of the region. Exemplary college textbook.
Posted by raf* at 06:23 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
