On Identity [Paperback]

Amin Maalouf (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 2000

This book offers a lucid inquiry into the precise meaning of one of the most misapplied words and concepts in our language, and one that has given rise to some of the most heated passions and crimes throughout history: identity. The notion of identity—be it religious, ethnic, national, or other—has been one of the fundamental questions of philosophy from Socrates to Freud. In this series of reflections, the author, a Lebanese who now lives in France, considers how we define ourselves and what identity has meant and continues to mean in different cultures.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Random House UK (July 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1860467296
• ISBN-13: 978-1860467295
• Product Dimensions: 0.5 x 5 x 7.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #764,052 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Appeal on tolerance and understanding among people, August 26, 2000

By 

Dr. Stephan Brühl (Kirchheim (Germany)) - See all my reviews

This review is from: On Identity (Paperback)

I read this book in a german translation and I think it is one of the most important nonfiction books I have found in the last years. Mr. Maalouf analyzes rigorously the dangers of religious and nationalistic fanatism, which in most cases are coming from a wrongly understood search for preservation of "identity". The German title of the book is "Murderous Identities" which reflects the intentions of the author even more clearly. Mr. Maalouf, as a Christian and an emigrant from Lebanon, living in France since many years, is an intermediary, who critically views both sides - the modern western world and the more traditional arab world. The book does not offer solutions, but it makes you think and reflect, and hopefully will help in the important process that people will better understand the other side without claiming only their own rights and needs. I had the pleasure to meet Mr. Maalouf during the Salzburg Festival 2000 where he appeared as text author for the new opera "L'amour de loin" of the finish composer Kaija Saariaho. The idea of the opera follows the book "On identity": the need of worldwide love, irrespective of religious or political identities.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars La más lúcida reflexión sobre un tema de vital importancia, September 19, 2000

By 

alf - See all my reviews

This review is from: On Identity (Paperback)

Llegué a esta obra a través del nombre del autor, excepcional narrador, pero nunca sospreché que pudiera encontrar una serie de reflexiones tan lúcidas y válidas para el mundo que nos rodea. Maalouf se pregunta qué es la identidad y cuáles los elementos que la rodean. Salpicado de constantes alusiones al mundo árabe que tan bien conoce, este ensayo es capaz de sacar de nuestro interior afirmaciones y convicciones que ójala estuvieran presentes en la sociedad y en las vidas que a cada uno nos ha tocado vivir. Lo mejor que todos podríamos desear es que las reflexiones y recomendaciones de Maalouf llegaran algún día a impregnar el panorama político internacional.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It makes you think, November 9, 2000

By 

Ziad H Katrib (Clifton Park, NEW YORK United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: On Identity (Paperback)

Its a great book to read like all Amin Maalouf's books, and very well organised. The Author clarify a lot of ethnic as well as political problems and you'll never get bored while reading it. The arab world should be very proud of Maalouf, he has indeed showed the world in his books the essence of the Arabic culture.