Voices of Resistance: Oral Histories of Moroccan Women (SUNY Series in (Suny Series in Oral and Public History) [Paperback]

Alison Baker (Author)

Book Description

Series: Suny Series in Oral and Public History | Publication Date: January 15, 1998

Providing new information on women's participation in the Moroccan independence movement, Voices of Resistance offers a rare opportunity to hear Moroccan women speak freely about their personal lives. Each woman is introduced in terms of her family background and personal style, and the interviews are given texture and context by references to Moroccan history and popular culture, including contemporary songs and poems. These women are storytellers, and they lived through stirring times. Their active struggle against French colonialism also challenged and redefined traditional Moroccan ideas about women's roles in society. The narratives reconstruct the little-known history of Moroccan feminism and nationalism, and probe the lives of a remarkable group of Islamic women whose voices have never been heard until now.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Alison Baker has taught East Asian Civilization and Urban Anthropology at New York University and for two years directed the School for International Training academic semester abroad program in Morocco. She currently works as an independent writer, film producer and oral historian.

Product Details

• Paperback: 374 pages
• Publisher: State University of New York Press (January 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0791436225
• ISBN-13: 978-0791436226
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,397,226 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #98 in Books > History > Africa > Morocco

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Light On Analysis, December 17, 2002

By 

Mary Balthrop-Flynn (Washington, DC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Voices of Resistance: Oral Histories of Moroccan Women (S U N Y Series in Oral and Public History) (Hardcover)

Voices of Resistance is an incredibly rich account of the role that Moroccan women played within the nationalist movement against French colonial rule. It is a collection of oral histories divided into two parts. The first concerns the Nationalist women, who were largely upper class and from Fez, and the second concerns women in the armed resistance movement. Although including both sets of women is a strength of the book, the author does not delve deep enough into the differences between their situations-- differences based largely on class. Voices of Resistance is still a very interesting read, although I wish the author had dealt more carefully with some of the theoretical issues she faced, including her own position as a Western woman writing about Morocco. The book is very informative for those who do not know much about Moroccan history. For those who do, it is still interesting, but less useful.

5.0 out of 5 stars arrived on time, July 11, 2011

By 

Clara - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Voices of Resistance: Oral Histories of Moroccan Women (SUNY Series in (Suny Series in Oral and Public History) (Paperback)

No complaints here - book arrived on time and in the state I expected it to be in. A dependable bookseller.

5.0 out of 5 stars Love it!, September 4, 2003

By 

lalla_oujdia - See all my reviews

This review is from: Voices of Resistance: Oral Histories of Moroccan Women (SUNY Series in (Suny Series in Oral and Public History) (Paperback)

I loved this book. Being of Moroccan descent myself I was delighted to find what I consider to be an all too rare book about Moroccan womens' experiences. It is easy to read and the stories of the women are very personal. It also contains a wonderful collection of photos of the women interviewed. This book will appeal to those who enjoy hearing personal narratives and social history about ordinary people.
Unlike too many books on Arab women, this book is honest, non-judgemental and simply seeks to tell the life stories of women who lived through the Moroccan independence movement.