Edward Said’s ‘Orientalism’: A Seminal Critique of Western Representations of the East

Description

Vintage Books, paperback

Publication Date: October 12, 1979

Publisher Marketing: A groundbreaking critique of the West’s historical, cultural, and political perceptions of the East that is–decades after its first publication–one of the most important books written about our divided world. – With a new foreword by Ussama Makdisi

“Intellectual history on a high order … and very exciting.” —The New York Times
In this wide-ranging, intellectually vigorous study, Said traces the origins of “orientalism” to the centuries-long period during which Europe dominated the Middle and Near East and, from its position of power, defined “the orient” simply as “other than” the occident. This entrenched view continues to dominate western ideas and, because it does not allow the East to represent itself, prevents true understanding.

Explore more from our collection.