Pop Culture Arab World!: Media, Arts, and Lifestyle (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9781851094493)

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.

Author: Andrew Hammond
ISBN-10: 1851094490
ISBN-13: 9781851094493
Publisher: ABC-CLIO
Language: English
Published: 12/01/2004
Pages: 392
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.88lbs
Size: 10.42h x 7.32w x 1.08d

Review Citation(s):
Choice 06/01/2005 pg. 1880
School Library Journal 10/01/2005 pg. 88
Library Journal 03/15/2005 pg. 102
American Reference Bks Annual 01/01/2006 pg. 529