More than three decades after its first publication Edward Saids groundbreaking critique of the Wests historical cultural and political perceptions of the East has become a modern classic. In this wideranging intellectually vigorous study Said traces the origins of orientalism to the centurieslong period during which Europe dominated the Middle and Near East and from its position of power defined the orient simply as other than the occident. This entrenched view continues to dominate western ideas and because it does not allow the East to represent itself prevents true understanding. Essential and still eyeopening Orientalism remains one of the most important books written about our divided world. show more