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leonwheeler's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
After originally reading the first 2 chapters for uni I decided to read the whole book (admittedly in prep for a masters). A very informative read which is always interesting even if it occasionally does tend to feel overly analytical when Said displays his English lit credentials and explores the meaning and inferences behind explicit words - he makes valid points but at times it does seem over the top.
Some very interesting points were made about the way in which to know the ‘orient’ gave the western forces legitimacy to therefore dominate and run the orient. Biased and racist academic coverage typifying the east as simultaneously exactly the same and with a mythic past but also backwards and moral bankrupt in the modern era being used as justification for colonialism and prejudice.
Very very interesting and generally well written throughout.
Some very interesting points were made about the way in which to know the ‘orient’ gave the western forces legitimacy to therefore dominate and run the orient. Biased and racist academic coverage typifying the east as simultaneously exactly the same and with a mythic past but also backwards and moral bankrupt in the modern era being used as justification for colonialism and prejudice.
Very very interesting and generally well written throughout.
maurits's review against another edition
challenging
informative
slow-paced
2.0
Edifying, but a slog to read.
theeuphoriczat's review against another edition
4.0
Book Review
.
Orientalism is a post-colonial textbook (so it was quite tedious to read, especially because of the withdrawn monotonous nature of Said’s writing & arguments). However, I consider it a must read for anyone who is interested in learning more about imperialist projects and the role western scholarship played in perpetuating colonialism and imperialism.
.
Orientalism refers to the western scholarship and discourse about the east. In this book, however, Said further argues that orientalism is not just an academic field but a form of cultural and political domination. He starts by tracing the history of orientalist thinking, illustrating the role it played in justifying colonialism and reinforcing power dynamics between the west and east (or orient). Orientalism is a dynamic fosters a binary opposition between the orient and the occident, this dynamic portrays the east as exotic, backward and in need of western guidance.
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On central theme is the relationship between knowledge and power. Said argues that orientalism is not a neutral academic pursuit (both then and now) but it is a tool of imperialism, influencing political decisions and propagating stereotypes.
.
As we see at the end of the book where Said discussed what Orientalism is now: we see that Orientalism has taken the approach of dealing with the east not in good faith but as a tool of continued ‘othering’ of the east - I dare say, as a way to learn skills to manipulate and siphon of eastern resources under the guise of international relations or international law.
.
It is easy to see what Said meant when we consider how and which countries international law and diplomacy seem to apply to. The west has created the so called international law, only for it to apply to the east and serve as a cover for the west and their allies.
.
I highly recommend this book.
.
Orientalism is a post-colonial textbook (so it was quite tedious to read, especially because of the withdrawn monotonous nature of Said’s writing & arguments). However, I consider it a must read for anyone who is interested in learning more about imperialist projects and the role western scholarship played in perpetuating colonialism and imperialism.
.
Orientalism refers to the western scholarship and discourse about the east. In this book, however, Said further argues that orientalism is not just an academic field but a form of cultural and political domination. He starts by tracing the history of orientalist thinking, illustrating the role it played in justifying colonialism and reinforcing power dynamics between the west and east (or orient). Orientalism is a dynamic fosters a binary opposition between the orient and the occident, this dynamic portrays the east as exotic, backward and in need of western guidance.
.
On central theme is the relationship between knowledge and power. Said argues that orientalism is not a neutral academic pursuit (both then and now) but it is a tool of imperialism, influencing political decisions and propagating stereotypes.
.
As we see at the end of the book where Said discussed what Orientalism is now: we see that Orientalism has taken the approach of dealing with the east not in good faith but as a tool of continued ‘othering’ of the east - I dare say, as a way to learn skills to manipulate and siphon of eastern resources under the guise of international relations or international law.
.
It is easy to see what Said meant when we consider how and which countries international law and diplomacy seem to apply to. The west has created the so called international law, only for it to apply to the east and serve as a cover for the west and their allies.
.
I highly recommend this book.
zubiashakeel's review
My mind was wandering too much and not grasping alot. The format's fault probably and my own, so I will start it over again in the future inshaAllah
grantmcme's review
4.0
This one deserve a re-read by me. The narrorator of the audiobook I listened to was a dry as a bone.
casparb's review against another edition
4.0
'Before and after book' is a phrase I believe has entered the common lexis - the idea of a book that changes the reader's perspective to the extent that their thinking may be demarcated into 'before' and 'after reading'.
This may well be a suitable descriptor of Orientalism for me. For the unaware, Orientalism is often considered an initiator of post-colonial criticism, with a focus on what (in Western circles) is termed the 'near', rather than 'far' East.
I was warned by informed sources that this text was rather dry and technical - which was a little daunting for me. I'm not always one for non-fiction. This warning appears valid (in my opinion), as Said (wonderfully) references Gramsci, Althusser, and the likes of Spengler before even the end of the introduction. I do not think I would have finished this book had I attempted it a year ago.
However, I am very glad that I have read it! It's a genuinely incredible piece of scholarship that spans centuries. Said refuses to take any shit from the scholars he discusses - he is particularly merciless at pointing out the psychosexual aspects of so many Western commentaries on the 'Orient'. I found this delightful.
This may well be a suitable descriptor of Orientalism for me. For the unaware, Orientalism is often considered an initiator of post-colonial criticism, with a focus on what (in Western circles) is termed the 'near', rather than 'far' East.
I was warned by informed sources that this text was rather dry and technical - which was a little daunting for me. I'm not always one for non-fiction. This warning appears valid (in my opinion), as Said (wonderfully) references Gramsci, Althusser, and the likes of Spengler before even the end of the introduction. I do not think I would have finished this book had I attempted it a year ago.
However, I am very glad that I have read it! It's a genuinely incredible piece of scholarship that spans centuries. Said refuses to take any shit from the scholars he discusses - he is particularly merciless at pointing out the psychosexual aspects of so many Western commentaries on the 'Orient'. I found this delightful.