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Orientalism

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( 28,830 ratings, 2,012 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Orientalism by Edward W. Said examines how the Western world perceives and represents the East, shaping cultural and political relations. Said critiques this portrayal as a constructed stereotype used to justify colonial attitudes. The book challenges readers to reconsider their understanding of East-West dynamics and reveals the implications of these persistent stereotypes.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you are interested in exploring the Western perceptions and representations of Eastern cultures, examining how these ideas have influenced history, literature, and cultural studies. It provides a critical exploration of how the West has historically constructed its image of the "Orient," inviting readers to consider the implications of these perspectives in modern contexts.

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Surveys the history and nature of Western attitudes towards the East, considering orientalism as a powerful European ideological creation - a way for writers, philosophers and colonial administrators to deal with the 'otherness' of eastern culture, customs and beliefs.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Orientalism is one of the greatest and most influential books of ideas to be published since the end of the European empires. For generations now, it has defined our understanding of colonialism and empire, and with each passing year, its influence becomes, if anything, even greater.

To mark its 25th anniversary, Orientalism rightfully takes its place as a Penguin Modern Classic.

Series: Penguin Modern Classics

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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Orientalism by Edward W. Said is considered a groundbreaking critique of the Western portrayal of Eastern cultures, examining how these depictions have been shaped by colonial attitudes. Reviewers often praise its in-depth analysis and influential impact on postcolonial studies, although some critics argue that it sometimes generalises Western academia's role in perpetuating stereotypes. Overall, it is highly regarded for challenging established narratives and fostering a deeper understanding of cultural representation.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780141187426

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 28 August 2003

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Classics

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 26.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 197.0mm

Weight: 315g

Pages: 432

About the Author

EDWARD W. SAID is University Professor at Columbia University. He was born in Jerusalem in 1935 and educated in Egypt and the United States. His other books include THE QUESTION OF PALESTINE, CULTURE AND IMPERIALISM, OUT OF PLACE: A MEMOIR.

Also by Edward W. Said

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  • The Question of Palestine
    This original and deeply provocative book was the first to make Palestine the subject of a serious debateโ€”one that is now more critical than ever. With the rigorous scholarship that he brought to his influential Orientalism and an exileโ€™s passion (he was Palestinian by birth and had been a member of the Palestine National Council), Edward W. Said traces the...
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  • Freud and the Non-European
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  • Culture and Imperialism
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