Explores the legacy of civil war and despotic regimes crippling Arab nations and points to a complex code of shame, honor, and power-challenging that feed the ongoing political battles.
"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 book explains how Arabs are closed in a circle defined by tribal, religious, and cultural tradition…
Margaret Rydell introduces elements of Arab culture and Islam in an evenhanded, unbiased style and covers topics such as beliefs and values, religion and society, the role of the family, social formalities and etiquette and communication styles.
This new fourth edition of the classic introduction to Arab culture has been completely revised and updated to help readers understand the complex issues playing out on the world stage. Understanding Arabs: A Guide for Modern Times is a handbook, intended to be read easily and q…