An accessible handbook to Arab culture which will assist readers to understand the complex issues currently playing out on the world stage.
The perfect introduction to contemporary Arab culture for those who want to understand today's headlines and the complex events playing out on the world stage. From the rise of fundamentalism to the historically uneasy relationship between the Arab World and the West, Margaret Nydell has expanded her highly respected book to bring today's complex issues into clearer focus. This fifths edition of "Understanding Arabs" introduces the elements of Arab culture and Islam in an even-handed, unbiased style. The book covers such topics as beliefs and values; religion and society; the role of the family; friends and strangers; men and women; social formalities and etiquette; and communication styles.
"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.
Margaret Nydell is currently a visiting Associate Professor at Georgetown University and a highly esteemed Arabist. She has directed Arabic language training at the Foreign Service Institute and its School of Arabic Language and Area Studies in Tunis and is currently consulting with the Center for Advanced Study of Language on a project to record and analyze regional Gulf dialects. Nydell lives in Washington, DC.