Explores the connection between identity and power in Iraq's history, and provides a context for understanding complicated struggles. Drawing on a mixture of 'high' and popular forms of expression, this book identifies the tropes of Iraqi culture, such as symbols of redemptive suffering amongst the Shi'ites, or courage amongst the Bedouins.
Muhsin J. al-Musawi is Professor of Arabic Studies at Columbia University, New York. He also holds a university Professorship at the American University of Sharjah, UAE. He is the editor of the Journal of Arabic Literature, and has written 27 books in both Arabic and English. In 2002 he received the prestigious Owais Award for literary criticism.
'Amidst the flood of books giving us the low-down on Iraq's wars, factions, and oil resources, what a delight it is to discover Reading Iraq. Muhsin al-Musawi has crafted a beautifully written book on Iraq's culture: not a dreary catalogue of historical sites and unfamiliar names, but an insightful depiction of the feelings of thoughtful Iraqis as they endured the last fifty years of their country's tribulations.' - Richard W Bulliet, Professor of History, Columbia University 'Reading Iraqprovides the Western reader with a comprehensive and probing analysis of Iraqi culture and its intersection with modern Iraq's political and social development...written with great sensitivity and insight.' - Eric Davis, Director of Middle East Studies, Rutgers UniversityARAB STUDIES JOURNALReading Iraq is rich with information on Iraqi debates around education, identity, literary criticism, resistance and multi-culturalism. It is a mine for readers to excavate.- Ferial J Ghazoul
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