Book Description
In language that vividly evokes the lush summers of Cairo and the stark beauty of the Arabian desert, Leila Ahmed tells a moving tale of her Egyptian childhood growing up in a rich tradition of Islamic women and describes how she eventually came to terms with her identity as a feminist living in America.
As a young woman in Cairo in the 1940s and '50s, Ahmed witnessed some of the major transformations of this century--the end of British colonialism, the creation of Israel, the rise of Arab nationalism, and the breakdown of Egypt's once multireligious society. Amid the turmoil, she searched to define herself--and to see how the world defined her--as a woman, a Muslim, an Egyptian, and an Arab. In this memoir, she poignantly reflects upon issues of language, race, and nationality, while unveiling the hidden world of women's Islam. Ahmed's story will be an inspiration to anyone who has ever struggled to define their own cultural identity.
An Egyptian woman's "richly insightful account of the inner conflicts of a generation coming of age during and after the collapse of European imperialism." --The New York Times Book Review
Customer Reviews:
Lifesaver!!.......2007-10-05
I needed this book for a course I'm taking, and not one local bookstore had it in stock. I logged on to trusty Amazon, ordered it, and had it in my hands (with assigned reading completed) before my next class. The memoir itself had started pretty slowly (alot of Egyptian history), but has taken off quite nicely.
Leila Ahmed is a great writer!.......2006-12-26
I enjoyed very much reading this book. The level of description used is capable of transporting you to Leila's birthplace and enjoy her life's journey. This book reads like a novel even though it is a biography. I recommend this book to anyone interested in the Pre- and Post-Nasser era in Egypt and how it affected the Egyptian middle class of the time. Another book about Egypt during that era I would recommend is Samia Serag El-din's The Cairo House. Happy reading!
I relate to this book on so many levels...........2005-01-26
I wasn't sure what I would find when I chose this book. But Dr. Ahmed's thoughts on creating her identity and the societal forces that crafted her upbringing are astounding. Her tale of defining herself as a woman, an Egyptian, an Arab, a Muslim, and an American resonated very deeply with me.....
An eye opening account of what it means to be a Muslim.......2003-12-17
I thought that this book was amazing. I've read many books about Islam but I think that this book actually gave me a sense of what it means to be a Muslim. Sometimes when reading about religions we often only get an overview of the practices and beliefs of a religion but we rarely hear from believers of a particular religion and how they incorporate the beliefs of their religion into their everyday lives. For me, it was also interesting to read about Egypt during the 40's and 50's because it was something I have never studied before. It was interesting to see the religious diversity in Eygpt and how quickly that all changed with the rise of Nasser. Another thing I had never realized that Egyptians practically had the title Arab forced upon them, but most would never otherwise identify themselves as Arab. I think this book really exposed me to a world and a lifestyle that I had never known existed, and I think this is a must read for anyone who is open to seeing a new perspective on their world.
A Border Passage.......2003-12-15
A Border Passage by Leila Ahmed is an interesting book and definitely worth your time. Within this book Ahmed confront issues of colonialism and differences between the Islam of women and that of men. The story is written as an autobiography as Ahmed recounts her childhood. The juxtaposition of the Egypt and England, where she goes to school, illuminates considerations of post-colonial loss of identity. A book that I strongly recommend for anyone interested in learning more about Islam.
Book Description
A luminous journey through the exotic Egypt of a woman's mind and heart.
Customer Reviews:
Unconventional view of Egypt.......2005-10-19
This book is unique in that it focuses not only on Egyptian Mythology / Religion, but contains the writer's reflection on those principles within the context of her life. This blend of personal reflection and scholarly research make it a uniquely personal and unconventional look at this topic.
Her writing style does tend to be prosaic (i.e. stream of consiousness). But, the insights she brings to the able are worth the effort and time it takes to read this book.
Excellent for anyone's individual spiritual journey........2004-02-21
This book is a wonderful blend. She not only lets you peek inside her personal spiritual journey and sojourns to Egypt, but also helps you relate and comprehend the sometimes confusing Egyptian pantheon. She helps you identify with not only Egyptian religion, but gives clues to how Christianity and Wicca are connected as well. It is a great tale that encourages the reader to explore for themself and find their own spiritual path.
Not what I thought it would be.......2001-07-21
I did not enjoy this book, but I confess that perhaps I simply misunderstood what this book would be about when I purchased it. I was looking for a book about Isis, and instead got a book about a woman who seemed to be suffering an identity crisis - a subject that from my point of view, has been done to death. That I am sure is not the authors fault, but if you are looking for a book about Isis, you will be frustrated by just how little this book really refers to her.
A very soul-full book..........2000-12-21
I love this book,but than again I love all the author's books.I didn't know what to expect from this book though.Since it was a journal type of book,I thought I might not like it.I was wrong...I LOVE IT! She is a very Soul-Full person (Iknow that's not how it's spelled,but the author is a very spiritual person and that shines through in this book) I had to re-read chapter 9 ,Ab: the intelligence of the heart,this chapter really made me think,it's so full of wonderful insights.Ex:"...Desire is life manifestly unfolding.If we fail to acknowledge our deep desires,we remain empty inside and vulnerable to the manipulations of those who would seduce us and feed upon our desire nature.We buy goods we don't need,thinking things will supply what we lack in the world.We wind up having affairs thinking that will satisfy our love nature.We rush blindly from this business deal to that,thinking that money and prestige will give us back the power we know we lack.All our addictions-eating disorders,alcoholism,smoking,overt sexuality,violence- are evidence of the desire nature out of control because the heart has tried to tell us what it wants,and we have not paid attention." Further in the chapter it says..."Simplicity of the heart keeps our aims and purpose in life clear.What matters is what is at hand at the moment...In hotep(peace) we contemplate our lives and concentrate our energies on the true desires of the heart aligned with God,rather than chasing after this or that fleeting thought..." The author also says the hieroglyph for peace(hotep) is a loaf of bread,implying nuturing, simplicity,contentment and rest...The ancient egyptians were very wise indeed,they knew how to live life to the fullest and Normandi Ellis conveys this over & over in this book.I got some deep insights into the egyptian myths (which can be confusing) but she explains their meaning very simply and you have an "Aha" moment and know what they meant by that myth. I highly recommend this book,if you are a deep thinker like Ellis.
Written by a Woman, But I Like it Too!.......2000-06-23
I can only add to the previous review by saying that I am not a woman, yet I shared the great joy of reading it in my own way. I am not sure what the standards of the reviewer are, but I think she is mistaken in her stinginess if only 4 stars where her comments seem so glowing. I agree with the glowing and would suggest top rating of this excellent work of art!
Customer Reviews:
An Extraordinary Woman . . ........2002-01-29
Jehan Sadat is an extraordinary and courageous woman. I was amazed to read about all of the wonderful programs she created for her country, including cooperatives for women, educational facilities, communities for the disabled, and home communities for orphans. She served tirelessly on local political committees and charitable committees, including Egypt's version of the Red Cross. The fight for women's right to divorce and vote in elections was so important to her that she risked her own family relationships but constantly asking her husband (to his annoyance) to support her agenda until he gave in. Sadat accomplished all these things and much more while raising three children, pursuing a graduate degree in Arabic literature, and supporting her husband, president of Egypt. _A Woman of Egypt_ is not just about Sadat, however; the book discusses Egyptian politics, especially Egypt's relationship to Israel and the US. After reading Sadat's book, I've come to understand the complexities between US-Israel and Arab relations. Sadat is even-handed and fair in assessment of the political situations--she does not condemn her enemies just because they are her enemies. I found her to be an admirable woman and her husband to be an incredible man--the first Muslim leader to actively seek peace with Israel. My favorite line from the book is (paraphrased): They say my husband was ahead of his time, but how can a man who lived only for peace be ahead of his time?
A Woman of Egypt.......2001-12-05
I was living in Saudi Arabia with my husband for several years. Last summer, a German friend of mine gave me this book translated into German. I was completely captivated by the contents of which I knew very little and the interesting way Ms. Sadat wrote about her life. It was definitely a revelation to me how deeply rooted the problems in the Middle East between Egypt and Isreal were already at the time. Whether this my suggestion belongs into this review or not: I wished the book was made more public - I could not find it this past summer anywhere in a bookstore. (Competitive store)only showed the German title. Every American should read the book in order understand the unsurmountable problems between Jews and Arabs in the region to this day.
As to Madame Sadat: What a courageous, dedicated women she was in a Muslim country, combining her deep faith with her progressive ideas.
Very Good Book.......2000-10-11
I've never wrote a review before but I thought A Woman of Egypt was so interesting that I couldn't resist. This book gives you an inside look at a lady who was constantly in the public eye in Egypt and wanted to see change. I thought it very courageous some of the things she did and tried to do in Egypt as the first lady. I believe Jehan Sadat spoke from her heart. You will find it hard to put this book down, I know I did! I have resided in Cairo for some years now and I can see what Jehan Sada was trying to do from a different light. Well done Mrs. Sadat!
an excellent book.......1999-06-07
may be it's too late to read this book (out of print or unavailable edition) but I think it is a excellent book written by a courageous woman. In fact, it's not easy to be a woman and specially a president's husband in some arabic countries. However, I just want to remark that the Tunisian president never refugiated in Egypt, as written in the book.
A fascinating book.......1997-09-11
When I bought this bough I had no real idea about the life of a woman in the Moslem world; this book gave me an interesting insight. Furthermore, I think it is a fascinating book by a fascinating woman
Book Description
While the story of Cleopatra's life as the classic female fatale has become legendary, this book reveals the real story behind the mythical woman, following Cleopatra from her childhood to her ascension as Queen of Egypt and then the Roman Empire. It presents details of Cleopatra's upbringing while also uncovering her relationships with world leaders and her ability to translate beauty and charm into power. Since Cleopatra is recognized as the first person to introduce the mystery of exotic Egypt into Western culture, an examination of how the enchantment, magic, and eroticism of ancient Egypt molded her personality and approach to the throne is included.
Customer Reviews:
Did They Even Bother to Edit This?.......2007-03-29
I bought this book because of the strength of the author's credentials. It was so miserably edited and rife with typos that I found myself distrusting the rest of the content. How could a book so carelessly flung together have any sort of historical integrity? I would donate it to a library or thrift store but wouldn't want to inflict that conflict on anyone else either.
I can hardly believe that this was written by an Oxford professor!
Book Description
This original and historically rich book examines the influence of gender in shaping the Egyptian nation from the nineteenth century through the revolution of 1919 and into the 1940s. In Egypt as a Woman, Beth Baron divides her narrative into two strands: the first analyzes the gendered language and images of the nation, and the second considers the political activities of women nationalists. She shows that, even though women were largely excluded from participation in the state, the visual imagery of nationalism was replete with female figures. Baron juxtaposes the idealization of the family and the feminine in nationalist rhetoric with transformations in elite households and the work of women activists striving for national independence.
Book Description
They built a civilization ahead of its time, and dominated the ancient world. They defined an era of war, love, passion, power, and betrayal. They were a people of mystery whose secrets have turned to dust -- but who inspire our awe and wonder even to this day...
The ancient Egyptians
They showed us how to live. And how to die.
Christian Jacq, author of the international triumph Ramses, brings the people and the passions of ancient Egypt ot life in an enthralling epic novel in four volumes.
Customer Reviews:
The Stone of Light: The Wise Woman - Mediocre reading.......2002-04-06
For the Egyptophile, The Stone of Light: The Wise Woman is a disappointment and is lackluster in comparision to other volumes. The story line focuses mainly on the sacred Stone of Light, the forbidden village & the Brotherhood. These craftsmen & artists create the great monuments of ancient Egypt. This in itself could be a fascinating story, but it doesn't pan out.
The Wise Woman is one of the central figures, however, there is little emphasis put on her in the book as well. At best it could have been good reading but was uneventful.
Fine.......2001-11-09
This is one of the best fictions I have ever read. The author of this book, Christian Jacq, is famous because of the great fction that he wrote about Ramses the second. This time's story occur at the late Ramses period. There is a Stone of Light which is hide in the worker's village in Deir-el Medina. Many people think that the stone is very valueable and try to steal it. This story tells about hoe the workers protect the stone. If you are interested, go and get it fast! You will enjoy it very much!
The Stone of Light: The Wise Woman.......2001-01-17
I have just finished this terrific book. Where is the next one? Again, Christian Jacq has bought to life Nefer, Ubekhet, Paneb, Mehy & the others. It is exciting watching Paneb develope into the man he has. Ubekhet is so gentle, but very, very strong, seeing her character evolve is wonderful, & Nefer, the silent one, leading the others to great heights. Thank you Christian Jacq for sharing this wonderful world of Egypt with us. Please continue writing & sharing this great ancient nation.
my review.......2000-11-10
In this sequel, Ramses has died and he has been replaced by his son, Meneptah. After some uncertainty as to the future of the Place of Truth, work starts on the new tomb and palace for the new Pharaoh.
However, the same evil persons who have tried to bring down the Place of Truth are still hard at work. Some are even rising in the politic structure of the country.
In this sequel, the author has kept the same interesting characters and adding some new ones. The writing is very well done and keeps the reader interested and at the same time informed of how living and tradition were kept in those times.
The interest born with the first book is rekindled in this second book, and I am looking forward to the third!
Egyptian Historical Soap Opera !.......2000-10-18
I did the audiobook of this and loved it, just as I loved the first one; Nefer The Silent. It "feels" like I'm really involved in actual lives and events in this period of history. Death, betrayal, majestic works, plots and counter-plots, enemies on the borders..oooohhh you got to love this. The names get to you after a while. Nefer The Silent, Paneb The Ardent, Gau The Nose, etc. Mix in the period historical lessons along with the detailed descriptions and events of daily lives and the magnificent scope of the story and this is one barn-burner of a novel. The time flew by when I was driving and I can't wait for the next one to see what happens to this large cast of characters.
Average customer rating:
- A dual quest
- A master storyteller who is also self-revealing
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A Woman's Odyssey into Africa: Tracks Across a Life (Haworth Women's Studies) (Haworth Women's Studies)
Hanny Lightfoot-Klein
Manufacturer: Haworth Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 1560241551 |
Customer Reviews:
A dual quest.......2001-03-14
Hanny's quest in Africa was two-fold: to enlighten us on the condition of African womanhood, and her desperate need for a toilet. The validity of the first quest is nearly obscured by her pursuit of the other. Americans bear a world reputation for their obsession over toilets in other countries. Hanny's frequent assessment of amenities in the Sudan and elsewhere becomes tediously repetitive. One is tempted to ask the location of the return ticket and why it wasn't put to use. Such carping is no longer acceptable, however, and it becomes our duty to cheer her perseverance and fortitude as she continues to address the more important issue.
She deserves full marks for describing the ubiquity and impact of the Barbaric Practice. With roots in many cultures reaching back into a dim past, female 'circumcision' is broadly practiced in Africa and elsewhere. Hanny Klein takes us through many tours of towns and villages, all the while making certain we understand how shabbily African women are treated. It's all a novelty to her, and we are led to share her confusion and anxiety. It's not a pleasant picture and she paints it with the bleakest possible hues.
Along the way through Africa, we are also given numerous insights into her life. Raised in Germany, she went to New York to teach in Inner City [read slum] schools. Her relations with her father beggar description and she was despised by her mother. It's not an auspicious beginning, but it grows worse. She details her parents' relationship, but passes over her own marriage in a few sentences. If she ever had any feelings for the man, they aren't imparted to us. She has the tact to avoid laying full blame at his feet, but you can't help but wonder what prompted the marriage at all. Given her later description of her sexual predation while visiting Europe, it's difficult to accept him as the guilty party. It may be unfair to taint Hanny with an obsession with sex rivaling that of her need for proper facilities, but she spends at least as much ink relating her experiences as she does on the topic at hand.
Today's literature on Muslim Africa relates many interviewers with wives who share secrets about their lives. They tell one tale, while living another. Islam asserts an iron control over women's lives, both emotional and physical. It's alien to Klein as it is to most of us. Klein recounts her growing awareness of Sudanese conditions, deftly bringing the reader along as she gains new knowledge. Female circumcision remains the central theme, with few other aspects of male-female relations examined. Control of female sexuality has no justification, but logic isn't likely to bring it to an end. As Hanny Klein puts it so well; "If only it were a little easier to persuade people to do what is good for them. But how do you win them over to your way of thinking when they have their own definition of what is normal?" Any campaign to end this horrible practice must confront a long established cultural tradition. Given that this book is relates Klein's own inability to deal with a variety of cultural norms in several countries, it makes a poor foundation for fashioning such an effort.
A master storyteller who is also self-revealing.......1998-01-30
The courage of the author to undertake her adventure of traveling in Africa solo with a backpack at age 50 is indeed compelling. She is a natural storyteller, yet opens up to reveal her own inner struggles based on a difficult childhood with manipulative parents. Her reporting of the practice of "female circumcision" in parts of Africa is introduced in the book as she was doing research. However, as horrible a thing as this is, she helps the Westerner understand where it comes from and how it plays an integral part in that culture even today while at the same time she fights to abolish it. I didn't want this book to end. I would read another book by her in a nanosecond. She's inspiring, honest, and courageous.
Average customer rating:
|
A Woman of Egypt
Jehan Sadat
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000IXQ0G2 |
Book Description
Qasim Amin (1863-1908), an Egyptian lawyer, is best known for his advocacy of women's emancipation in Egypt, through a number of works including The Liberation of Women and The New Woman. In the first of these important books in 1899, he started from the premise that the liberation of women was an essential prerequisite for the liberation of Egyptian society from foreign domination, and used arguments based on Islam to call for an improvement in the status of women. In doing so, he promoted the debate on women in Egypt from a side issue to a major national concern, but he also subjected himself to severe criticism from the khedival palace, as well as from religious leaders, journalists, and writers. In response he wrote The New Woman, published in 1900, in which he defended his position and took some of his ideas further. In The New Woman, Amin relies less on arguments based on the Quran and Sayings of the Prophet, and more openly espouses a Western model of development. Although published a century ago, these two books continue to be a source of controversy and debate in the Arab world and remain key works for understanding the Arab feminist movement. The Liberation of Women and The New Woman appear here in English translation for the first time in one volume.
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