Pop Culture Arab World!: Media, Arts, and Lifestyle (Popular Culture in the Contemporary World) [Hardcover]

Andrew Leonard Hammond (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 10 Up–This authoritative volume depicts contemporary popular culture and its interaction with the political scene in the Arabic-speaking world. After a dense and occasionally confusing overview, chapters provide fascinating and unbiased coverage of the following topics: TV and radio, the press, the movie industry, music and Arabpop, theater, religion, belly dancing, consumerism, sports, and language. Each chapter is followed by a list of books, articles, and Web sites, and, when relevant, biographies of important people. The appendix has a glossary and an excellent annotated bibliography. Chapters include some black-and-white, often fuzzy photographs; lengthy boxed information expands text material. Most of the quotations come from the author's interviews with various individuals. Because of the depth of treatment, users should have familiarity with the Arab world and its history. The volume is most appropriate for libraries serving an Arabic studies program or a large Arabic population.–Diane S. Marton, Arlington County Library, VA
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Product Details

• Hardcover: 376 pages
• Publisher: ABC-CLIO (December 15, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1851094490
• ISBN-13: 978-1851094493
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,804,946 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An expansive look at the Arab World, February 9, 2005

By 

Norman Haley - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pop Culture Arab World!: Media, Arts, and Lifestyle (Popular Culture in the Contemporary World) (Hardcover)

Whoa! I am impressed at the breadth and depth of this lucidly written tome. Pop Culture Arab World!-Media, Arts, and Lifestyle by Andrew Hammond offers an brilliant and thorough analysis of the interactions and dynamics that are at the center of events in the Arab world. It explores what people think of the Bush administration's policies, Islam, and the war on terror. Not only that, but it takes a fascinating and insightful look at all aspects of popular culture, from pop music and film to the Arabic language and media, including satellite channels, like Al-Jazeera, which are reshaping the broadcast scene in new and interesting ways. Definitely a must-read for anyone interested in this part of the world.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a different world, November 4, 2006

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W Boudville (Terra, Sol 3) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Pop Culture Arab World!: Media, Arts, and Lifestyle (Popular Culture in the Contemporary World) (Hardcover)

The book has short bios on prominent TV and movie stars, along with a few writers, in the Arab world. Many of the names will be unfamiliar with American readers. But Hammond appears to have put much effort into his research. Many entries are for Egypt. Not unusual, given its population and its traditional role as the centre of Arab life.

There are also articles on topics like consumerism and theatre. These include summaries of the topics in each major Arab country.

Recent events do intrude of course. For Iraq, the book discusses changes wrought by the American invasion. Somewhat inconclusive, as the situation in Iraq is still very unsettled. While, post 2001, there is mention of the jihadis influence and how various countries are trying to combat this, in the media and the schools and mosques. One aspect parallels the US. The popularity of TV evangelists, who can reach a much wider audience than just those who attend a mosque.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, March 4, 2005

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Max McCallum (Scotland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pop Culture Arab World!: Media, Arts, and Lifestyle (Popular Culture in the Contemporary World) (Hardcover)

Excellent, thought-provoking piece of journalistic literature. Very fascinating, full of information and analysis and covers a large topic that hasn't been covered like this before. Definitely worth reading.