Combining impeccable scholarship and literary elegance; David Wetzel depicts the drama of machinations and passions that exploded in a war that forever changed the face of European history.
#13506730 in Books 1989-05-11Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 #File Name: 0297793276408 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A revelation of recent Arab history; politics; and cultureBy QThis is a profound and revealing analysis of Arab culture and history. He calls his book an "interpretation;" which is quite correct; but it is based on factual history and events. His thesis is that Arab history is defined by the imperatives of shame-honor and absolutist power politics. Arab politics are a pure struggle for power; in which the winner becomes a tyrant who monopolizes all state resources for himself and his family; and the voices and welfare of everyone else is disregarded. Pryce-Jones also discusses insightfully how politicians from Europe and the USA have romanticized the Arab countries and people and remain willfully blind to the reality of its politics. In this way; the West enables the fundamental oppression and violence found everywhere in the Middle East.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. ... fully endorse this book for people who want to better understand Arab politicsBy AnonymousI fully endorse this book for people who want to better understand Arab politics; culture; and behavior. I have read many other books; blogs; and articles to try to have a truly deep understanding of a lot of things that happen in the Arab world and with Arabs; but only this book really hammers home for me a lot of the explanations why certain things are said; written; and done. It would be fascinating to read a similar book with analysis of recent events included.13 of 15 people found the following review helpful. Do you want to understand Arab culture?By Donald N. AndersonMr. Pryce-Jones has written an essential description of the honor-shame nexus that is so central to Arab culture. Those who view honor and shame as people in the West do; must read this book to understand the very different properties honor-shame has in this culture.His description of power relationships is exemplary. He provides many examples of the dangerous consequences to which these power seeking conspiracies lead. The implications are discouraging; but having knowledge of probable consequences is much better than pursuing goals in ignorance. Perhaps we can then select goals and approaches that have some hope of success in this very different culture.I only hope any of our diplomats charged with a Middle East assignment understand the content of this book. I have recomended this book strongly to all my friends who have any interest in the Middle East.
