Reviving Phoenicia: The Search for Identity in Lebanon (Hardcover)

~ Asher Kaufman (Author) "The historical narrative of Lebanon almost invariably begins with the ancient Phoenician seafarers..." (more)
Key Phrases: central syrien, mandated regions, francophone circles, Charles Corm, Mount Lebanon, Greater Lebanon (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Asher Kaufman has produced a fascinating study which will be of interest not only to students of Lebanese and Middle Eastern history but also to those interested in nationalism generally and in the Middle East in particular.'Islam and Christian -Muslim Relations

Product Description

Reviving Phoenicia follows the social, intellectual and political development of the Phoenician myth of origin in Lebanon from the middle of the 19th century to the end of the 20th. Asher Kaufman demonstrates the role played by the lay, liberal Syrian-Lebanese who resided in Beirut, Alexandria and America towards the end of the 19th century in the birth and dissemination of this myth. Kaufman investigates the crucial place Phoenicianism occupied in the formation of Greater Lebanon in 1920. He also explores the way the Jesuit Order and the French authorities propagated this myth during the mandate years. The book also analyzes literary writings of different Lebanese who advocated this myth, and of others who opposed it.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 255 pages
• Publisher: I. B. Tauris; Bilingual edition (April 17, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1860649823
• ISBN-13: 978-1860649820
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,928,166 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Mr Kaufman should eat his words with publication of genetic study, November 2, 2008

By	S. George Khalaf (Chapel Hill, NC, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Zalloua et al., Identifying Genetic Traces of Historical Expansions: Phoenician Footprints in the Mediterranean, The American Journal of Human Genetics (2008), doi: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2008.10.012 suffices to invite Mr. Kaufman to eat his words.

Thank goodness for the science of genetics that silences nay sayers.

9 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Interesting perspective and opinions, but facts are facts, October 1, 2004

By	Samuel Florine - See all my reviews

Aiming to write a book that tries to propogate the idea that Lebanon and Lebanese people only have a mythological connection to Phoenicia would be similar to writing a book stating as a "myth" that Jews ever existed in what is today Israel. True that there has been a lot of glorification of the Phoenicians by Lebanese over history, but why not? Would the author deny the Greeks, Indians, or Chinese pride in their ancient history and culture? It is also true that most Lebanese today cannot prove their bloodline links to the ancient Phoenicians but this does not mean that Phoenicia and the Phoenicians have not shaped and do not reflect the many aspects of Lebanon and its people throughout history and until today. If the author ever visited Lebanon (which he cannot due to political reasons) and studied the country, its people, and history from a first-hand perspective and not from a distance, then he would clearly see how Phoenicia and Phoenicians have shaped the country. I believe the author is trying to deny a country its history through such a book and any visitor will easily see Lebanon's Phoenician heritage on the ground in the form of ancient cities and artifacts which litter the country.

5 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent book on Lebanon's historical roots and evolution, March 20, 2004

By A Customer

This book tells the story not only of the Phoenician identity in Lebanon but also of the process that led to the formation of Greater Lebanon and the historical narrative that was created in order to justify its existence. It also covers the "human networking" in Beirut and elsewhere of the persons who advocated this myth of origin. The author departs from the conventional narrative on Phoenicianism that sees it as a mere Maronite ideology and shows the extent of influence of this myth on Lebanese national narratives and on other communities in Lebanon. It is also the first attempt to demonstrate the different facets of this myth. Thus, it shows that by no means one can speak about A Phoenician myth of origin. Rather, Phoenicianism meant different things for different social and political groups in Lebanon.

No doubt, it is the most authoritative piece of work on this subject. It is also well written and easily read. I strongly recommend reading it for it is indispensable for those seeking to understand Lebanon's creation and evolution.