Feminists, Islam, and Nation [Paperback]

Margot Badran (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 069102605X | ISBN-13: 978-0691026053 | Publication Date: April 1, 1996

The emergence and evolution of Egyptian feminism is an integral, but previously untold, part of the history of modern Egypt. Drawing upon a wide range of women's sources--memoirs, letters, essays, journalistic articles, fiction, treatises, and extensive oral histories--Margot Badran shows how Egyptian women assumed agency and in so doing subverted and refigured the conventional patriarchal order. Unsettling a common claim that "feminism is Western" and dismantling the alleged opposition between feminism and Islam, the book demonstrates how the Egyptian feminist movement in the first half of this century both advanced the nationalist cause and worked within the parameters of Islam.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Most accounts of modern Egyptian history focus on and are written by men. This one is different--and welcome. It traces the development of Egyptian nationalist sentiment by concentrating on the emergence of Egyptian feminism, [from] the rise of 'feminist consciousness' [to] the creation of explicitly political feminist organizations. -- Foreign Affairs



Badran ... challenge[s] the notion that feminism is only a Western creation and that it is incompatible with Islam.... This new study will be respected for its high level of scholarship and its sophisticated analysis. -- Choice

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Princeton University Press (April 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 069102605X
• ISBN-13: 978-0691026053
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,269,218 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Be serious- this is a good and useful book, September 11, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Feminists, Islam, and Nation (Paperback)

The other reviews of this book say that it is not so great- I actually think it is a very good book. I wanted to let people know that as a scholar involved in studying the Arab World I read and appreciated this book. It makes me sad that others don't take the time or try to learn enough to be able to appreciate such effort while other books on Arab women that are sensationalist, unethical or naive not to mention ill-researched are praised. The book may not be perfect, but it offers a lot of information and thoughtful analysis.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars good as a compendium, July 7, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Feminists, Islam, and Nation (Hardcover)

I ve found this book very usefull as a compendium. There is a lots of detailed informations not to be found in others books on this subject. Maybe it is not to a good idea to start with this one if u r absolute beginner but if u look for the detaild informations on women's history in Egypt this is one of the best!

0 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars I don't get it, June 2, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Feminists, Islam, and Nation (Paperback)

maybe it's because I am a college student or maybe it's because I am not really into the Middle East, but I used this book for my final paper on the religions of the middle eats, and i didn't get it. I was dense and hard to read and I was unable sythesize the ideas I got from reading the book. My term paper was no good, and I had no time to read another book because I spent so much time on this. I guess if you're really really smart or like being confused or something, then read this. But If you're trying to do well in class or teach a good class-avoid this and get cliff's notes.