The Edward Said Reader Paperback – September 12, 2000

The book is a unique view of a life of intellectual curiosity and commitment. The life of the mind is an important commitment for scholars and an essential part of a free society. Too many people do not think deeply about ideas or feelings. How we come to believe what we believe is too easily manipulated in modern society. Social media supplies all the "thought" that many people need. Professor Said is not looking to media for approval or agreement. He examines an idea frontward and backward and determines on his own whether it is worth believing.We need more "independent thinkers" toady more than ever.

. . . exposed himself--his Being--so that some truth would come through for public discussion. The reader familiar with Professor Said's work doesn't need an explanation, but if you are a reader who feels that he is polarizing, please read at least one essay in this book. Allow yourself, dear reader, to see that everything he wrote came out of integrity: He didn't have a double standard for humanity.To hear about Edward Said from others, and then to read his essays, was really to know what he was about in the world. (In the interest of disclosure, I did not know Edward Said, or anyone in his family.) The book cover photograph alone tells a truth. It's a photo which disturbs me and touches me so much that I can't set the book face up on a table. (The photo I'm referring to is one in which Said looked directly at the camera, the book cover for the September 2000 edition of Vintage Book's _The Edward Said Reader_ ). You can see in this photo the interior man made manifest. His sad brown eyes are hooded perhaps as he aged, but perhaps he was continually shocked that there were people who misunderstood him and could not read his soul. There are people--perhaps certain Israeli Jewish people or American Congressmen--who couldn't understand that all Said wanted for Palestinians was what others have: a nation-state and structure, self-determination, and the ability to live on their own land. Reasonable desires--it seems.But Edward Said was--for me--a literary man, a reader of people and a writer who used language for truth and love. Just the essay alone on Jane Austen is a work of genius.

frankly, i skimmed the literary analysis and musical writings and concentrated upon his palestine / israel political writings. his writing reveals his genius. he is among the first american academics to take a strong stand for the plight of the palestinian refugees. masterfully written, this is a keystone that ought to be read by everyone with an interest in this conflict. while i think that said attempts to present things in a "fair and balanced" manner, he does not explore all of the possibilities. the limitations in the scope of his writings are disappointing. A+. this is highly recommended.

I like being entertained and educated by this brilliant man, taken from us all too soon. I'm too lazy to go into detail, sorry.

Challenging writing that makes you stop and think how very limited we are in our understanding and how necessary a voice like Said's is for our age.

This brings a sample of Said’s most enduring and heartfelt essays, exploring everything from the tragedy of the Palestinian occupation to more theoretical discussions on comparative literature

Good product

Edward Said is a distinguish scholar whose work I have read few. This one is no exception and highly informative and educative. This should be a must read for anyone sincere about knowing the dynamics involved in the power play of the modern world we live.

Elegant, cultured, informed - the best of Said in one volume.

This is one of the most influential book of the 2nd half of C20th. It is more relevant to day than on it's publication.

The best place to start reading Edward Said is "The Selected Works". Such a prodigious body of work can be daunting and this book leaves the reader craving more and there is so much more to read. The next book to read by Said is "Orientalism". From there, happy discoveries...