Orientalism (book)

Lore & Background

Said argues that Orientalist stereotypes of the cultures of the Eastern world have served as implicit justifications for colonial ambitions and imperial endeavors of the U.S. and European powers. The book uses critical analyses of colonial literature, including works by Gustave Flaubert, to demonstrate how European literature carried and reinforced Orientalist notions.

Reader's Guide

Orientalism influenced the development of literary theory, cultural criticism, and the field of Middle Eastern studies, especially regarding how academics practice intellectual inquiries when examining the Middle East. The scope of Said's scholarship established Orientalism as a foundational text in post-colonial studies by denoting and examining the connotations of Orientalism and the history of a given country's post-colonial period. As a public intellectual, Said debated historians and scholars of area studies, notably historian Bernard Lewis, who described the thesis of Orientalism as 'anti-Western' in nature. The book argues that 'pure knowledge' is not possible, as all forms of knowledge are inevitably influenced by ideological standpoints, and underscores the intimate relationship between knowledge and power.

Did You Know?

• Said distinguishes between at least three separate but interrelated meanings of the term Orientalism: an academic tradition, a worldview, and a political instrument of domination.
• The book argues that Orientalist stereotypes of Arabs and Muslims have served as implicit justifications for colonial ambitions and imperial endeavors of the U.S. and European powers.
• Said debated historian Bernard Lewis, who described the thesis of Orientalism as 'anti-Western' in nature.
• The book uses critical analyses of the colonial literature of Gustave Flaubert as examples.

Origins and the Road to a Modern Series

During those early years the award landscape was fluid: biography received its own distinction, and two additional honors—the Bookseller Discovery and the Most Original Book—could also land on nonfiction titles. General Nonfiction was one of just three categories at that time, and it was the sole category to receive honorable mentions, referred to as special citations.

The Fragmented Era of Multiple Categories

Throughout the 1970s the structure kept shifting: History and Biography sometimes merged into one category and sometimes split apart, while Philosophy and Religion, The Sciences, and Contemporary Affairs each received their own recognition. This meant a single book could theoretically be honored twice. Most paperback winners were actually second or later editions of works already eligible at first publication, a quirk that complicated the record of who truly won what.

Near Collapse and the 1984 Revival

Winners across 27 categories had been announced on April 13 and privately celebrated on April 28, but the organization was on the verge of collapse. By November a reduced program was announced as a lifeline, and the full revamp was not completed until the following summer. The restructured awards shifted to an autumn recognition model, honoring books published during the current award year rather than the preceding one.

Triple Crown Winners and the Modern Prize

The panel itself consists of five writers known for outstanding work in their field, and the entire process runs from publisher nominations due in mid-June through the November ceremony.