The Crusades Through Arab Eyes PDF Download

Author: Amin Maalouf
Publisher: Saqi
ISBN: 0863568483
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 249

View

Book Description
European and Arab versions of the Crusades have little in common. For Arabs, the twelfth and thirteenth centuries were years of strenuous efforts to repel a brutal and destructive invasion by barbarian hordes. Under Saladin, an unstoppable Muslim army inspired by prophets and poets finally succeeded in destroying the most powerful Crusader kingdoms. The memory of this greatest and most enduring victory ever won by a non-European society against the West still lives in the minds of millions of Arabs today. Amin Maalouf has sifted through the works of a score of contemporary Arab chroniclers of the Crusades, eyewitnesses and often participants in the events. He retells their stories in their own vivacious style, giving us a vivid portrait of a society rent by internal conflicts and shaken by a traumatic encounter with an alien culture. He retraces two critical centuries of Middle Eastern history, and offers fascinating insights into some of the forces that shape Arab and Islamic consciousness today. 'Well-researched and highly readable.' Guardian 'A useful and important analysis adding much to existing western histories ... worth recommending to George Bush.' London Review of Books 'Maalouf tells an inspiring story ... very readable ... warmly recommended.' Times Literary Supplement 'A wide readership should enjoy this vivid narrative of stirring events.' The Bookseller 'Very well done indeed ... Should be put in the hands of anyone who asks what lies behind the Middle East's present conflicts.' Middle East International

Author: Fatou Diome
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 200

View

Book Description
"This charming, vivid and poetic book captures the poignancy of immigrant life and all the unresolved pain of Africa's relationship with its former colonial powers."--Michela Wrong Salie lives in Paris. Back home on the Senegalese island of Niodior, her football-crazy brother Madické counts on her to get him to France, the promised land where foreign footballers become world famous. The story of Salie and Madické highlights the painful situation of those who emigrate. It is a moving account of one of the great tragedies of our time.

Author: John Alberti
Publisher: Wayne State University Press
ISBN: 0814342876
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 178

View

Book Description
Beyond the classroom, the Harry Potter series clearly enjoys a large and devoted global fan community, and this collection will be of interest to serious fans.

Author: Giselle Liza Anatol
Publisher: Praeger
ISBN: 0313361975
Category : Literary Criticism
Languages : en
Pages : 0

View

Book Description
Interpreting the underlying messages and themes of the "Harry Potter" series is vital for understanding the ways that we perceive and interact with each other in contemporary society. This volume of essays covers the entire seven-book sequence. It considers a number of themes from a variety of perspectives.

Author: Nikita Agarwal
Publisher: Texas World Publishing
ISBN: 159800221X
Category : Children's stories, English
Languages : en
Pages : 162

View

Book Description
There is no doubt that Harry Potter reigns over the children's literature market. J.K.Rowling's inimitable cast of Harry Potter adventures has ignited the imaginations of children and grown-ups alike all over the world. But how much do you really know about J.K. Rowling's inimitable characters? Did you know that the Harry Potter characters hold secrets behind their names? Hermione, Snape, Crabbe, even Hogwarts School - all have histories waiting to be discovered.Now, two young fans of the Harry Potter series present a companion book for other readers who can't get enough of Harry and his friends and foes. This book, Friends and Foes of Harry Potter: Names Decoded, reveals the secrets behind the names of the mysterious characters, houses, and pets. Written by young fans, for all fans, this book also offers journaling space, trivia quizzes, and exquisite illustrations.This book is a perfect gift for children and adults whose inquisitive natures match those of their favorite heroes, Harry, Hermione, and Ron. Fans can quiz each other and use the glossary to look up unfamiliar terms that are unique to the Harry Potter series. What is the meaning behind Harry Potter's name? Or the uncanny resemblance of Voldemort to the Roman god of Time? You'll have to read Friends and Foes of Harry Potter to find out!

Author: Dr Katrin Berndt
Publisher: Ashgate Publishing, Ltd.
ISBN: 1409478416
Category : Literary Criticism
Languages : en
Pages : 256

View

Book Description
Taking up the various conceptions of heroism that are conjured in the Harry Potter series, this collection examines the ways fictional heroism in the twenty-first century challenges the idealized forms of a somewhat simplistic masculinity associated with genres like the epic, romance and classic adventure story. The collection's three sections address broad issues related to genre, Harry Potter's development as the central heroic character and the question of who qualifies as a hero in the Harry Potter series. Among the topics are Harry Potter as both epic and postmodern hero, the series as a modern-day example of psychomachia, the series' indebtedness to the Gothic tradition, Harry's development in the first six film adaptations, Harry Potter and the idea of the English gentleman, Hermione Granger's explicitly female version of heroism, adult role models in Harry Potter, and the complex depictions of heroism exhibited by the series' minor characters. Together, the essays suggest that the Harry Potter novels rely on established generic, moral and popular codes to develop new and genuine ways of expressing what a globalized world has applauded as ethically exemplary models of heroism based on responsibility, courage, humility and kindness.

Author: David Punter
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1119062500
Category : Literary Criticism
Languages : en
Pages : 578

View

Book Description
The thoroughly expanded and updated New Companion to the Gothic, provides a series of stimulating insights into Gothic writing, its history and genealogy. The addition of 12 new essays and a section on ‘Global Gothic’ reflects the direction Gothic criticism has taken over the last decade. Many of the original essays have been revised to reflect current debates Offers comprehensive coverage of criticism of the Gothic and of the various theoretical approaches it has inspired and spawned Features important and original essays by leading scholars in the field The editor is widely recognized as the founder of modern criticism of the Gothic

Author: Giselle Liza Anatol
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA
ISBN: 0313058016
Category : Literary Criticism
Languages : en
Pages : 244

View

Book Description
J. K. Rowling achieved astounding commercial success with her series of novels about Harry Potter, the boy-wizard who finds out about his magical powers on the morning of his eleventh birthday. The books' incredible popularity, and the subsequent likelihood that they are among this generation's most formative narratives, call for critical exploration and study to interpret the works' inherent tropes and themes. The essays in this collection assume that Rowling's works should not be relegated to the categories of pulp fiction or children's trends, which would deny their certain influence on the intellectual, emotional, and psychosocial development of today's children. The variety of contributions allows for a range of approaches and interpretive methods in exploring the novels, and reveals the deeper meanings and attitudes towards justice, education, race, foreign cultures, socioeconomic class, and gender. Following an introductory discussion of the Harry Potter phenomenon are essays considering the psychological and social-developmental experiences of children as mirrored in Rowling's novels. Next, the works' literary and historical contexts are examined, including the European fairy tale tradition, the British abolitionist movement, and the public-school story genre. A third section focuses on the social values underlying the Potter series and on issues such as morality, the rule of law, and constructions of bravery.

Author: Jon Helgason
Publisher: Nordic Academic Press
ISBN: 9187675323
Category : Literary Criticism
Languages : en
Pages : 253

View

Book Description
In the world of books and literature, “hype” is associated with bestsellerism - the books that sell the most, are read by vast numbers, and constantly talked about in media and staff rooms. Often, it is the success in itself that generates an interest because popularity begets popularity. Quite often though, a hyped bestseller is met with a skeptic criticism of poor language, a badly constructed plot, a predictable story line, or all three. The bestseller phenomenon is sometimes conceived as a threat against “real” literature. Research into the creation, reception, and meaning of bestsellers is utterly scarce and Hype: Bestsellers and Literary Culture is an important contribution to the understanding of the literature read by the masses. Popular literature plays an important role in the lives of millions of readers, offering entertainment, social commentary, and alternate perspectives on everyday life. This volume brings together such diverse issues as the creation of hype, the role and the meaning of the author in the present-day media landscape, changes in the book trade, and the relationship between bestsellers and research into them. Further articles give an historical overview on postapocalyptic stories, desert romances and the role of the authors. This book offers new knowledge on a subject that is increasingly popular within university curricula. Although the anthology is a work of academic research the texts are of equal interest to general readers.

Author: Mark Brake
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1631582380
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 258

View

Book Description
How does magic in J. K. Rowling’s universe work? Finally, the scientific secrets are revealed! The story of the boy who lived has brought the idea of magic and sorcery into mainstream fruition more than any other book series in history. Modern muggle scientists have uncovered explanations to the seemingly impossible, including answers to such questions as: Will we ever see an invisibility cloak? How hazardous is a flying broomstick like the Nimbus 2000? How has medicine made powerful potions from peculiar plants? (Felix Felicis, anyone?) Can scientists ever demonstrate Wingardium Leviosa, or the flying power of a Golden Snitch? Is it possible to stupefy someone? And many more! Often perceived as a supernatural force, magic captivates and delights its audience because of its seeming ability to defy physics and logic. But did you ever wonder if science has any explanation for these fantastic feats? The Science of Harry Potter examines the scientific principles—behind some of your favorite characters, spells, items, scenes, and even games like Quidditch and Wizard’s Chess—from boy wizard Harry Potter’s world, providing in-depth analysis and scientific facts to support its theories. Author Mark Brake, whose The Science of Star Wars was a knockout success, has found the answers to satisfy the curious spirits of muggles everywhere… A perfect Harry Potter gift for anyone obsessed enough to stand in line to be the first to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child or Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, witches and wizards alike will be fascinated by the merging of this improbable realm and real science!