[Raymond describes] an evolving Cairo connected to its visible
history but not defined by it...If you want to know a place (and,
in this case, "really" know a place), it's vastly more rewarding to
read about the whole of that place's culture and people throughout
history than to skim over a glorified rundown of what there is to
'see and do.'
Andre Raymond, who traces the growth of Cairo from the founding of
the garrison city of Fustat by the Muslim conqueror Amr ibn Al-As
in the 7th century to the present, has a sanguine attitude. He
celebrates the city even as he charts its many problems. His book,
like all good history, puts the present in context. He reminds us
that however dodgy it is to walk along Cairo's streets in 2001,
dodging people and animals, coping with intermittently unpleasant
smells, the same walk 300 years ago would have been much worse. --
Zachary Karabell "Los Angeles Times" (11/25/2001)
Egypt has long served as the pulse of the Arab world...[and] a
fascinating country for scholars and foreign travelers alike...In
this comprehensive study, Raymond...meticulously traces Cairo's
history to the present day. The narrative is enhanced by 15
interesting maps, drawings, and photos. Highly recommended. --
Nader Entessar "Library Journal" (11/15/2000)
Raymond has written a thorough, detailed, and interpretive
biography of one of the world's great cities. -- B. Harris Jr.
"Choice" (07/01/2001)
This is a fabulously interesting work...Most books by westerners
which even approach Cairo lose their marbles fairly quickly.
[Raymond's book] maintains such a strong hold on them it should be
required reading. -- Louisa Young "The Independent"
and political history of an important and vibrant city.
day. The narrative is enhanced by 15 interesting maps, drawings,
and photos. Highly recommended.
intermittently unpleasant smells, the same walk 300 years ago would
have been much worse.
more rewarding to read about the whole of that place's culture and
people throughout history than to skim over a glorified rundown of
what there is to 'see and do.'
ÝRaymond describes¨ an evolving Cairo connected to its visible
history but not defined by it...If you want to know a place (and,
in this case, "really" know a place), it's vastly more rewarding to
read about the whole of that place's culture and people throughout
history than to skim over a glorified rundown of what there is to
'see and do.'
André Raymond, who traces the growth of Cairo from the founding of
the garrison city of Fustat by the Muslim conqueror Amr ibn Al-As
in the 7th century to the present, has a sanguine attitude. He
celebrates the city even as he charts its many problems. His book,
like all good history, puts the present in context. He reminds us
that however dodgy it is to walk along Cairo's streets in 2001,
dodging people and animals, coping with intermittently unpleasant
smells, the same walk 300 years ago would have been much worse. --
Zachary Karabell "Los Angeles Times" (11/25/2001)
Eminent French historian Raymond lucidly delineates how the city,
intrinsically tied to Egypt's Islamic history...also reflects the
multifaceted trends of modern Egyptian history and brings the city
up-to-date in its transformation into the overcrowded, bustling,
crumbling metropolis it is today...Adeptly translated and equipped
with fabulous maps of Cairo during each historic phase, this is a
useful and reliable primer on the physical, economic and political
history of an important and vibrant city.
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