Understanding Arabs: A Guide for Modern Times [Paperback]

Margaret K. Nydell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 17, 2005 | ISBN-10: 1931930252 | ISBN-13: 978-1931930253 | Edition: 4th Edition

Now more than ever, Margaret Nydell's book Understanding Arabs is a must-read.The fourth edition of this 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 accessible to everyone. Written by the highly esteemed academic Margaret Nydell, the book promotes understanding between modern-day Arabs and Westerners without pushing a political agenda. Updated to include the complex global issues going on today, new chapters include information about Islamic Fundamentalism, anti-Americanism and an updated and expanded chapter on Arabs and Muslims in the West. Contents A Message From the Authors Map of the Arab World Preface Introduction: Patterns of Change 1 Beliefs and Values 2 Friends and Strangers 3 Emotion and Logic 4 Getting Personal 5 Men and Women 6 Social Formalities and Etiquette 7 The Social Structure 8 The Role of the Family 9 Religion and Society 10 Communicating with Arabs 11 Islamic Fundamentalism (Islamism) 12 Anti-Americanism 13 Arabs and Muslims in the West 14 The Arab Countries: Similarities and Differences Conclusion Appendix: The Arabic Language End Notes Bibliography and References Index About the Author

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Understanding Arabs offers both an analysis and a perspective that are in great demand. This book covers what the media typically overlooks and what is necessary to make some sense of what is going on. We have relled on this source of cultural information for many years. I have found no other book in English to be so useful." Colonel Terrence M. Potter, U.S. Military Academy "In this practical guide, [Dr. Nydell] shares her wealth of scholarly and real-world experience, and she does so without the psycho-babble that too often dominates other surveys of the subject" Ambassador David L. Mack, Vice President Middle East Institute, Washington D.C."

From the Publisher

"For [more than] 15 years, Margaret Nydell’s Understanding Arabs has been used by countless Americans preparing to work or live in the Arab World. It is a unique source; there is nothing like it. Written with wit as well as seriousness, it provides a sound cultural appreciation as well as basic data on the region. Her personal message regarding the tragic events of September 11 should be required reading by all who make decisions or write commentary on the Arab world." —Max L. Gross, Joint Military Intelligence College

"This is an important and fascinating book, especially for Americans in this crucial time in U.S.-Arab relations. Dr. Nydell presents a timely, lucid, and engaging guide to the values and cultures of the Arab World, based on her many years of working and living there and on her training as a professional linguist. This candid and wonderfully readable book captures the contrasts and the characteristics of this great civilization and brings them vividly to life for a Western audience." —Karin Ryding, Ph. D, Sultan Qaboos bin Said Professor of Arabic, Chair of the Department of Arabic Language, Georgetown University

"Ever wonder what the Arabs are thinking? Understanding Arabs offers both an analysis and a perspective that are in great demand. This book covers what the media typically overlook and what is necessary to make some sense out of what is going on. We have relied on this source of cultural information for many years. I have found no other book in English to be so useful." —Colonel Terrence M. Potter, US Military Academy

"Middle East specialists have long relied on their worn copies of Understanding Arabs for insights about Arab social behavior. A whole generation of U.S. diplomats were introduced to the subject by Dr. Nydell. In this concise and practical guide, she shares her wealth of scholarly and real-world experience, and she does so without the psycho-babble that too often dominates other surveys of the subject." —Ambassador David L. Mack, Vice President, Middle East Institute, Washington, D.C.

"Among other things the events of September 11 dramatized our ignorance as Americans about Arabs and Islam. This book helps to fill that void by exploring the enormous misconceptions we hold about each other. A must book for all!" —Alvino E. Fantini, Former President, SIETAR International Senior Faculty, School for International Training, Brattleboro, VT

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Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Nicholas Brealey Publishing; 4th Edition edition (October 17, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1931930252
• ISBN-13: 978-1931930253
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #99,813 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Starting Point, November 7, 2005

By 

Patrick Artz (Omaha, NE United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Understanding Arabs: A Guide for Modern Times (Paperback)

If you are interested in a primer on Arab culture, then this book is a great starting point. The author is a scholar, but she does not clutter up her pages with the usual scholarly citations and endless equivocations. Instead, she presents a practical, understandable, readable guide to Arab culture.

Obviously, no one can cover all aspects of Arab culture in such a small book. That is okay. I needed a shorter book for my class on Middle East culture, and this book fit the bill almost perfectly. Students can gain a broad understanding of culture and then pursue other texts with more detailed explanations.

I have only a few small quibbles that prevent me from giving the full five stars. The author is a bit harsh on other authors of Arab culture. I prefer to see the good things in the works of other scholars and build upon their successes. For example, one of her criticisms is that another popular text overemphasizes the Bedouin traditions. Yet, I can see those idealized traditions still coming through in her summaries. Also, the book could benefit from more maps (my students are surprisingly ignorant of basic geography even after the US troop presence of recent years).

Overall, a very good book at a good price. It is an important part of my Middle East Cultures class, which is aimed at the general student rather than a full time Middle East scholar.

24 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Helped an American wife of an Arab, January 13, 2007

By 

VPBou (San Mateo, CA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Understanding Arabs: A Guide for Modern Times (Paperback)

I'm an American Christian woman, and I've been married to an Arab Muslim man for the last four years. This book caused some light bulbs to go off for me. It clarified past events that were puzzling to me.

It's a well written book that clearly hopes to offset the bad press that Arabs have been getting these past few years. However, the author is fair in her assessments of those areas in which the West and the Arab world need to make changes to improve relations and, perhaps, prevent another 9/11. It's an even-tempered discussion.

It includes wonderful summaries of Arab countries, including economic, political, and religious information about each country. A great resource!

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great overview of the Arab culture/mindset, August 14, 2006

By 

Leroy Pantsdown "JB" (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Understanding Arabs: A Guide for Modern Times (Paperback)

Having been to the Middle East twice, I found this book to be a very good general overview of how to try to "understand Arabs." Nydell keeps things pretty basic and hits all of the important points. Also, this book is very up to date with some data coming within the last year. The commentary towards the end paints a rosy picture of Arabic view of America/the West that I am not sure I completely agree with, but in contrast to some other books, at least Nydell has some facts to back up her statements. I highly recommend this book for anyone travelling to the Middle East for the first time or anyone looking to gain some cultural insight into the Arab mindset.