Pop Culture Arab World!: Media, Arts, and Lifestyle

by Andrew Hammond

Overview

The first book to explore how Arab pop culture has succeeded in helping forge a pan-Arab identity, where Arab nationalism has failed.

Pop Culture Arab World! is the first volume to explore the full scope of Arab cultural life since World War II. The book reveals a homogeneous yet richly diverse culture across the Arab nations.

In-depth chapters feature radio/TV (particularly the satellite revolution, which has fostered a shared Arab identity), the press (vibrant and controversial), cinema (once thriving, now in crisis), music (the beating heart of modern Arabness), theater (a largely assimilated Western import), popular religion, belly dance (originating in the Arab world), Western consumerism, sport, and the Arabic language (for Muslims, the tongue of God's final revelation). At a time when almost all we see of the Middle East is violence, oppressive nationalism, dangerous zealotry, and despair, this book is a vivid reminder of the humanity of the region's diverse people.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781851094493
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	12/15/2004
Series:	Popular Culture in the Contemporary World
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	392
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.88(d)
Age Range:	13 - 18 Years

About the Author

Andrew Hammond is a jourbanalist and writer who currently works as a Reuters correspondent based in Cairo, Egypt, and Dubai, United Arab Emirates, specializing in Middle East political and cultural affairs.

Editorial Reviews

[A] fascinating overview of politics and culture in the post-colonial Middle East. Anyone who wants to understand the complexities of Arab societies or better serve the needs of Arab students would do well to consult this book.” —C&RL News

“Hammond (an Australian jourbanalist who works in the Middle East) succeeds in condensing a large body of data into clearly written, well-organized chapters. . . . Hammond clearly knows the region and is well versed in the various expression of its popular culture. . . . Highly recommended. All readers; all levels.” —Choice

“This timely volume offers good insights into the emergence of Arab pop culture and is recommended for most audiences.” —American Reference Books Annual

From the Publisher