The Closed Circle
An Interpretation of the Arabs
Pryce-Jones, David
Hardcover: 480 pages
Publisher: Ivan R. Dee, Publisher (February 2002)
Language: English
ISBN: 1566634407
average customer review: 4,5 stars based on 31 reviews
Amazon.com Sales Rank: #70,845
Review on 23 June 2004 by Donald N.
Anderson (a version of this review is on Amazon.com):
Mr. Pryce-Jones
has written an essential description of the honor-shame nexus that is so central
to Arab culture. Those who view honor and shame as people in the West do, must
read this book to understand the very different properties honor-shame has in
this culture.
His description of
power relationships is exemplary. He provides many examples of the dangerous
consequences to which these power seeking conspiracies lead. The implications
are discouraging, but having knowledge of probable consequences is much better
than pursuing goals in ignorance. Perhaps we can then select goals and
approaches that have some hope of success in this very different culture.
I only hope any of
our diplomats charged with a Middle East assignment understand the content of
this book. I have recommended this book strongly to all my friends who have any
interest in the Middle East.