Orientalism

By: Edward Said

Narrated by: Peter Ganim

This landmark book, first published in 1978, remains one of the most influential books in the Social Sciences, particularly Ethnic Studies and Postcolonialism. Said is best known for describing and critiquing "Orientalism", which he perceived as a constellation of false assumptions underlying Western attitudes toward the East. In Orientalism Said claimed a "subtle and persistent Eurocentric prejudice against Arabo-Islamic peoples and their culture." He argued that a long tradition of false and romanticized images of Asia and the Middle East in Western culture had served as an implicit justification for Europe and the US' colonial and imperial ambitions. Just as fiercely, he denounced the practice of Arab elites who internalized the US and British orientalists' ideas of Arabic culture. Peter Ganim's narration gives the work an elegant and knowledgable voice.

©1978 Edward Said (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

THE work on Orientalism

Will argued with diamond-solid citations and centuries of examples. The quintessential place to start in decolonising your understanding of history.

Timeless classic

Very much worth reading to give important context to the events of today The history has been told through biased Western lens.

Groundbreaking and amazing

Where does Orientalism rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

The combination of a deeply researched text and skillful narration propels this work to my favourites shelf.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I had an extreme reaction in the fact that the book was incredibly enlightening, philosophically and academically (not that those two categories are always distinct).

Any additional comments?

Prepare to be challenged while reading and then continue to challenge previously held worldviews after you've finished.

An Exhaustive Analysis

A well researched history of the study of the near east from a perspective outside of colonial and western biases. A bit too detailed at times, and sometimes condescending, but overall a very informative book.

Very thorough study on Orientalism

The book is an excellent, thorough, and in my opinion very fair review of the history of orientalism. It's easy to point out the abuses of colonialism and the racist views of individuals. What Said did was write a much more nuanced and scholarly work on the growth of Orientalism as a field, those who contributed to it, and its effects on public perception. The narrator was excellent as well. I think that anyone who can go into this and put aside the impulses and prejudices that we are all encouraged to form by the role of orientalism in the modern west will enjoy the learning experience.

My one major complaint is that, especially early in the book, there are many sometimes very lengthy quotations in French (and I believe at least once in German) that are not translated or explained. I do not speak French, so having a two minute quotation in it is totally lost on me. Perhaps it was explained in a way that I didn't quite catch due to the format, but it's good to know going in.