As the violence of the Middle East has come to America; many Westerners are stunned and confounded by this new form of mayhem that appears to be a feature of Arab societies. This important book explains how Arabs are closed in a circle defined by tribal; religious; and cultural traditions. David Pryce-Jones examines the forces which “drive the Arabs in their dealings with each other and with the West.†In the postwar world; he argues; the Arabs reverted to age-old tribal and kinship structures; from which they have been unable to escape. In tribal society; loyalty is extended to close kin and other members of the tribe. The successful nation-state―the model that Westerners understand―generates broader loyalties; but the tribal world has no institutions that have evolved by common consent for the general good. Those who seek power achieve it by plotting secretly and ruthlessly eliminating their rivals. In the Arab world; violence is systemic. "This is a healthy corrective; a thought-provoking study. And Mr. Pryce-Jones has done his research; bringing a wealth of reading to his task; the book is extensively documented; with a good section of reference notes."―David K. Shipler; New York Times Book Review. "Acute insights into how the Middle East works; or fails to work. This is definitely a book to be read; if also one to be thought about carefully and rather critically."―David Morgan; Times Literary Supplement.
#2659934 in Books Milos M Vujnovich 1974-01-31 1974-01-31Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.02 x .58 x 5.98l; .87 #File Name: 1565545729256 pagesYugoslavs in Louisiana
Review
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Slavonians in South LouisianaBy G. Michael VunoDelgado College's well loved physics professor Milos Vujnovich; ventures into the human history field and lays out a solid account of the Croation immigration flow into the hearts and enterprises of southern Louisiana in the early 1900's. After much concerned reflection and sensitivity to the relatives; still remaining in the then testy political climate of 1970's homeland Yugoslavia; he hesitantly bypasses his own preferred "Croations in Louisiana" title for the less demonstrative "Yugoslavs in Louisiana" title choice. Given the recent independence of the nation of Croatia; this historical outflow from the Adriatic-Dalmatian coastline to Louisiana's Gulf Shores seems all the more natural. Prof V's dillegent listings and numerous family fotos; lend to a solid and revealing body of ancenstrial data that "time straddled" both world wars; as well as his own 14year old young man's quest to this new land.
