Arab Culture, Vol. 1: An In-depth Look at Arab Culture Through Cartoons and Popular Art (English and Arabic Edition) Paperback – December 20, 2010

This book is a fun way to read about and relate to the Arabic culture.An amazing eye-opener for all interested in learning about individual Arabcountries' customs and their particular variations of the Arabic language.If you're traveling to the region to learn the Arabic language or studying thelanguage here, this book is for everyone interested in the Arabic world.It definitely aids in creating a better understanding between our cultures.

Good book but cartoons r b n w. Wish they were color given the high price of the book

Through the use of cartoons, the author gives an in-depth look at Arab culture. Structure and commentary provide a degree of insight into Arabic traditions different than ours--and help create understanding.

I'm not going to repeat what all the other viewers have already accurately stated, just that it exceeded my expectations after reading the rave reviews.

As an Arab I can only rate this book poorly as it gives you an insight of the narrow minded backward mentality that some people harbour in the middle east! worth mentioning the fact that the author gave no credit to any of the cartoonists whose work was featured in this book.

I'm not a specialist in Arab culture or politics, so would probably not normally have come across a book like this. Fortunately I picked it up at a friend's house, read a couple of sections and was hooked, so came and bought a copy for myself so I could read it at leisure. It's so engaging and with the right mixture of real instruction and general background that it sometimes feels more like gossip or chat than information. But you're learning a whole load about the way of life and mindset of a very important part of the world. It's also a book that's perfect for browsing and reading a little at a time, so that you gradually pick up a lot of information, and I can see that if you are studying Arabic language there is a lot of language material here too--just to say that the non-specialist should not feel that this book will not have enough to interest them or make it worth getting the book. It is expensive, but it actually gives a lot for the money, which makes it good value. I can't compare with other books about the Arab world, but I wish there were books like this about other regions and cultures--it would make a great series.

Mahfouz's book `Exploring the Arab-Speaking World through Cartoons, Satire and Humour' is not only a damn good read but exceedingly timely in the current global climate. How pressing is the need to truly understand Arabic culture and mentality at the moment when the Arab world stands poised to make history. The political tumult in Egypt, Tunisia and Yemen is sure to echo in the rest of the region and reverberate around the world. As new leaders rise to shape the future of the Arab people, it is not only in our best interests but imperative that we cut through the stereotypes and understanding the yearnings and ambitions of the Arab world. Mahfouz's book may well be the key.It is also pertinent to understanding the Arab immigrant communities within our own multi-cultural societies and their feelings of difference and alienation from our own culture, how even slight actions that we consider inconsequential may cause offence or resentment. Mahfouz has an excellent take on the average Arab's position on terrorism and a chapter daringly titled `How the Arabs View America.' He has a no-holds barred approach to uncovering the many facets of a complex issue and relation between the Middle East and the West. the answer will be unlike any of the clichéd rhetoric you have heard in Western media. With more writers like this, we may be able at last to take the first steps to building better communication and hopefully lead to peaceful integration between all our communities.

Some readers may at first glance be shocked and offended by some of the cartoons presented in this volume, but the explanations that follow provide plenty of food for thought and will quickly cool a hot-headed initial reaction. There are aspects of Arab culture towards which westerners - and particularly Americans - are often instinctively hostile, but Mahfouz manages to curtail this knee-jerk reaction with humor, wit, and acknowledgement of his readers' cultural standards. The voice of the book never feels defensive or hostile or superior - quite the reverse. Delicate subjects and extreme cultural differences are patiently - but never condescendingly - illuminated, providing a sorely-needed insight into Arab culture in an appealingly readable format. What this volume drives home to the reader is that there is truly no absolute right and wrong when it comes to cultural differences. It is a response to those who would oversimplify the Arab world, a reminder that although certain customs may seem so different from our own as to be unfathomable, they are never without rationale. This book probably won't change your beliefs or values - and it doesn't try to - but if you approach it with an open mind it is certain to change your point of view and enhance your understanding of an ancient and globally significant culture.

Sehr reich und gut geschrieben. Anders als "Ratgeberliteratur" zur Arabischen Kultur kommt viel kulturell Relevantes und Interessantes zum Zug, das nicht direkt mit "do's und dont's" eines Reisenden verbunden ist und so besonders spannend ist. Was fehlt sind Herkunftsangaben bei den meisten Karikaturen und auch in den Kommentaren wünscht man sich öfters genauere Unterscheidung zwischen den verschiedenen Ländern. Der Fokus des Buches liegt im arabische Osten (Mashriq) und besonders auf den Golfstaaten. Der arabische Westen (Maghrib) kommt leider kaum zum Zug.