Orientalism.

SAID, Edward W.

Item Number: 3865

New York: Pantheon Books, 1978.

First edition of the author’s most influential work, which has been translated into over 35 languages. Octavo, original cloth. Signed by Edward Said on the title page, with his usual signature. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket with light wear to the extremities. Rare signed.

In this highly-acclaimed work, Edward Said surveys the history and nature of Western attitudes towards the East, considering orientalism as a powerful European ideological creation - a way for writers, philosophers and colonial administrators to deal with the 'otherness' of eastern culture, customs and beliefs. He traces this view through the writings of Homer, Nerval and Flaubert, Disraeli and Kipling, whose imaginative depictions have greatly contributed to the West's romantic and exotic picture of the Orient. "Very exciting ...his case is not merely persuasive, but conclusive" (John Leonard, New York Times). Named by TIME Magazine as one of the 100 best and most influential non-fiction books since 1923.