Simple but elegantly written, 20 Nov 2008
Obama completely embraces the importance of effective communication as reflected on this book. I like the part where he realized how important is saying the right words and get the people's undivided attention to what he is saying.

Best Book I've read in 10 yrs., 20 Nov 2008
He describes his childhood to manhood in such a sensitive & interesting way. An honest & frank look at race issues that he had to consider due to his mixed race & ancestry. Until I'd read the book, I hadn't realised how deep he was. I Highly Recommend this book! Once I started it , I then looked forward to my next train journeys, to get the next instalment. And its now solved my Xmas gift ideas! I'm buying 10 x copies for friends & family. Great Writer!

Touching and sincere, 16 Nov 2008
This book was written so beutifully, that even the most mundane information evokes emotions that can't be explained. The chapter in which he describes his only memories of his father from about age ten is the part that really got me. Obama shares the memory of the one and only time his father taught him to dance. "Come Barry,my father said. "You will learn from the master" And suddenly his slender body was swaying back and forth, the lush sound was rising, his arms were swinging...." I became teary eyed while reading that part on the tube on the way to a job interview. I felt sorry that this young boy held onto all that he could of his father. Obama goes onto describe many years of his child and adult life. This is a must read for book fans, even if Obama hadn't become the first black American president he was still one hell of a writer.

Moving,engaging and inspiring, 15 Nov 2008
I have just finished President elect Obama's book. I could not put it down,and could not believe it was written by a politician.

He gives an honest account of his journey into his self, and search for his identity and roots.

I feel I have a real sense of the man, after reading this book. He is self aware, and I enjoyed his ability to share his struggles with readers.I could pick up on his sense of sadness, and confusion in his journey.


His work in the South side of Chicago, definitely gave him the grounding for the brilliant campaign he ran for the presidency.

I particularly enjoyed his description of his journey to Kenya, which I have travelled to several times.

This is definitely one of the best memoirs I have read.He writes with sensitivity,and is able to connect with his readers.

It gives me a lot of insight into the values,and background of the next president of the United States.



Perceptive, sensitive, funny, self-ironic, 13 Nov 2008
This was an unexpectedly fantastic read: how could a man who (later)decided to go into politics be so honest, so self-searching, so willing to explore beneath the surfaces? The fact that the author is now the US president-elect makes it all the more intriguing, but the autobiography is wonderful even without that extra 'icing on the cake'. Obama has a sensitivity to his own and others' weaknesses and strengths; he sees through the facade but is forgiving of people's foibles. What he has to say about being of mixed race is very much worth listening to: all those who just don't get the problems in US ghettoes or African countries might learn something here. His search for his own identity--the archetypical hero's journey to find the father--is both funny and very touching; the immense disappointment becomes a source of knowledge and wisdom. This is a man who crosses many bridges: between black and white, men and women, 'West' and 'Third World', past and present. Buy it--and enjoy it!

Simple but elegantly written, 20 Nov 2008
Obama completely embraces the importance of effective communication as reflected on this book. I like the part where he realized how important is saying the right words and get the people's undivided attention to what he is saying.

Best Book I've read in 10 yrs., 20 Nov 2008
He describes his childhood to manhood in such a sensitive & interesting way. An honest & frank look at race issues that he had to consider due to his mixed race & ancestry. Until I'd read the book, I hadn't realised how deep he was. I Highly Recommend this book! Once I started it , I then looked forward to my next train journeys, to get the next instalment. And its now solved my Xmas gift ideas! I'm buying 10 x copies for friends & family. Great Writer!

Touching and sincere, 16 Nov 2008
This book was written so beutifully, that even the most mundane information evokes emotions that can't be explained. The chapter in which he describes his only memories of his father from about age ten is the part that really got me. Obama shares the memory of the one and only time his father taught him to dance. "Come Barry,my father said. "You will learn from the master" And suddenly his slender body was swaying back and forth, the lush sound was rising, his arms were swinging...." I became teary eyed while reading that part on the tube on the way to a job interview. I felt sorry that this young boy held onto all that he could of his father. Obama goes onto describe many years of his child and adult life. This is a must read for book fans, even if Obama hadn't become the first black American president he was still one hell of a writer.

Moving,engaging and inspiring, 15 Nov 2008
I have just finished President elect Obama's book. I could not put it down,and could not believe it was written by a politician.

He gives an honest account of his journey into his self, and search for his identity and roots.

I feel I have a real sense of the man, after reading this book. He is self aware, and I enjoyed his ability to share his struggles with readers.I could pick up on his sense of sadness, and confusion in his journey.


His work in the South side of Chicago, definitely gave him the grounding for the brilliant campaign he ran for the presidency.

I particularly enjoyed his description of his journey to Kenya, which I have travelled to several times.

This is definitely one of the best memoirs I have read.He writes with sensitivity,and is able to connect with his readers.

It gives me a lot of insight into the values,and background of the next president of the United States.



Perceptive, sensitive, funny, self-ironic, 13 Nov 2008
This was an unexpectedly fantastic read: how could a man who (later)decided to go into politics be so honest, so self-searching, so willing to explore beneath the surfaces? The fact that the author is now the US president-elect makes it all the more intriguing, but the autobiography is wonderful even without that extra 'icing on the cake'. Obama has a sensitivity to his own and others' weaknesses and strengths; he sees through the facade but is forgiving of people's foibles. What he has to say about being of mixed race is very much worth listening to: all those who just don't get the problems in US ghettoes or African countries might learn something here. His search for his own identity--the archetypical hero's journey to find the father--is both funny and very touching; the immense disappointment becomes a source of knowledge and wisdom. This is a man who crosses many bridges: between black and white, men and women, 'West' and 'Third World', past and present. Buy it--and enjoy it!

An introduction to African-American history and oratory, 28 Sep 2008
I picked up a copy of this book to explore a growing interest in American oratory and, in particular, the rise of Barack Obama in the American policital stage and his potential place in history.
My knowledge of the history of the USA, along with many other British students attending school in the 1980's, starts and ends with the American Civil War and the plight of Native Americans. However, I am deeply moved by the speeches of Dr King - this book includes one of his most famous speeches which, rightfully I feel, is familiar to us all and, in particular, what it meant for the thousands of Americans stuggling for the same basic rights as others.
The speeches within this collection are a fascinating insight to the history of Civil Rights in the USA and are themselves a chronicle of the desperately slow-moving and, at times, regressive politics surrounding the recognition of the rights for African Americans.
I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in modern history, an interest in American politics as well as anyone concerned with the power the majority can have over the majority - relevant to us all.

Simple but elegantly written, 20 Nov 2008
Obama completely embraces the importance of effective communication as reflected on this book. I like the part where he realized how important is saying the right words and get the people's undivided attention to what he is saying.

Best Book I've read in 10 yrs., 20 Nov 2008
He describes his childhood to manhood in such a sensitive & interesting way. An honest & frank look at race issues that he had to consider due to his mixed race & ancestry. Until I'd read the book, I hadn't realised how deep he was. I Highly Recommend this book! Once I started it , I then looked forward to my next train journeys, to get the next instalment. And its now solved my Xmas gift ideas! I'm buying 10 x copies for friends & family. Great Writer!

Touching and sincere, 16 Nov 2008
This book was written so beutifully, that even the most mundane information evokes emotions that can't be explained. The chapter in which he describes his only memories of his father from about age ten is the part that really got me. Obama shares the memory of the one and only time his father taught him to dance. "Come Barry,my father said. "You will learn from the master" And suddenly his slender body was swaying back and forth, the lush sound was rising, his arms were swinging...." I became teary eyed while reading that part on the tube on the way to a job interview. I felt sorry that this young boy held onto all that he could of his father. Obama goes onto describe many years of his child and adult life. This is a must read for book fans, even if Obama hadn't become the first black American president he was still one hell of a writer.

Moving,engaging and inspiring, 15 Nov 2008
I have just finished President elect Obama's book. I could not put it down,and could not believe it was written by a politician.

He gives an honest account of his journey into his self, and search for his identity and roots.

I feel I have a real sense of the man, after reading this book. He is self aware, and I enjoyed his ability to share his struggles with readers.I could pick up on his sense of sadness, and confusion in his journey.


His work in the South side of Chicago, definitely gave him the grounding for the brilliant campaign he ran for the presidency.

I particularly enjoyed his description of his journey to Kenya, which I have travelled to several times.

This is definitely one of the best memoirs I have read.He writes with sensitivity,and is able to connect with his readers.

It gives me a lot of insight into the values,and background of the next president of the United States.



Perceptive, sensitive, funny, self-ironic, 13 Nov 2008
This was an unexpectedly fantastic read: how could a man who (later)decided to go into politics be so honest, so self-searching, so willing to explore beneath the surfaces? The fact that the author is now the US president-elect makes it all the more intriguing, but the autobiography is wonderful even without that extra 'icing on the cake'. Obama has a sensitivity to his own and others' weaknesses and strengths; he sees through the facade but is forgiving of people's foibles. What he has to say about being of mixed race is very much worth listening to: all those who just don't get the problems in US ghettoes or African countries might learn something here. His search for his own identity--the archetypical hero's journey to find the father--is both funny and very touching; the immense disappointment becomes a source of knowledge and wisdom. This is a man who crosses many bridges: between black and white, men and women, 'West' and 'Third World', past and present. Buy it--and enjoy it!

An introduction to African-American history and oratory, 28 Sep 2008
I picked up a copy of this book to explore a growing interest in American oratory and, in particular, the rise of Barack Obama in the American policital stage and his potential place in history.
My knowledge of the history of the USA, along with many other British students attending school in the 1980's, starts and ends with the American Civil War and the plight of Native Americans. However, I am deeply moved by the speeches of Dr King - this book includes one of his most famous speeches which, rightfully I feel, is familiar to us all and, in particular, what it meant for the thousands of Americans stuggling for the same basic rights as others.
The speeches within this collection are a fascinating insight to the history of Civil Rights in the USA and are themselves a chronicle of the desperately slow-moving and, at times, regressive politics surrounding the recognition of the rights for African Americans.
I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in modern history, an interest in American politics as well as anyone concerned with the power the majority can have over the majority - relevant to us all.

It's about the Truth, 08 Nov 2008
I don't know much about "Orient" or "Orientalism" and after all this book is not about what I thought it would be but as a History undergraduate student I found this book very revealing. It's about the necessity for searching for the Truth, without contenting yourself with superficial findings based not on the Truth itself but what it is convenient for you to call true.

Utter Drivel, 04 Apr 2008
I do not know how Americans view Islam but as an Englishman/European it seems to me that Said's views are so much poppycock.To make a couple of points in a limited space.

Of course we have a stereotypical view of Islam just as Islam has a stereotypical view of us - and these views are largely hostile .So what? For century after century Islam was an enormous threat to what might loosely be called Christendom. It shaped every aspect of European history and was directly responsible for Europes colonial empires. Up till around 1750 they were a dangerous direct competitor to our interests.Gibbon writing in the 1780s was the first to think that the danger had passed .On a local scale the threat lasted even longer - Barbary pirates ravaged the coast of England up till the 1830s carting off coastal villages into slavery and at even later dates on the west coast of Ireland and that was at the height of the British Empire ! .By a strange inversion left wing academics and Said have made Europeans and Americans see these things entirely from the point of view of Islam ie as uniquely a problem of western imperialism largely ignoring about a thousand years of history.

Common sense would suggest that as our knowledge of these societies grew in the 19th century so stereotypes would break down.Said says the opposite - they served to reinforce them. Common Sense is right - stereotypes did break down.He makes much of the fact that as a boy he saw these european pictures of the east and they bore no relation to the societies he knew.It never seems to occur to him that as a Palestinian/American he might not be seeing these pictures as a European sees them and a 19th century European at that. 19th century Europeans , for whom these pictures were intended , were preoccupied with the dehumanising and mechanising aspects of industrial society ,their own society, and used other societies to show up these concerns.European attitudes were complex and contradictory but they were not attempting to give an accurate view of oriental society as their viewers well understood. When Gauguin paints a picture of a naked Tahitian girl we dont think he is trying to justify French imperialism nor do we think that he is saying much about Tahiti. Naked Tahitian girls did not buy his paintings. He was saying a great deal however about 19th century France with its rigid stifling conventions compared with the natural grace of a simpler more primitive world. Said is himself guilty of a kind of mental colonialism.He assumes that he understands what these pictures are about and is going to tell us what they mean. But he does not understand them because he does not understand 19th century Europe and he gets it wrong.

Finally Said does not seem to understand that the British did not need to justify their oriental empire by regarding other societies as inferior and their rule as necessary to bring enlightenment to the natives. He assumes that, like the Roman Empire, it was acquired through conscious effort.Nothing could be further from the truth. The British Empire in India was acquired in a haphazard way through chance .They thought that as it had been delivered into their hands by fate they had as much right to be there as their Moghul predecessors. Early British colonialists simply adopted the customs of the dominant Muslim culture which they much admired.- even to the point of practising polygamy.It was only after the Indian mutiny in the late Victorian period when the British were forbidden to intermarry with the natives that they turned into a caste and thought that they had to justify their presence in the country by adopting spurious notions of superiority.

In short western attitudes to the orient mirror by and large oriental attitudes to the west - often confusing and contradictory. Americas particular support for Israel owes much to a particular sense of their own identity and is not shared by European countries. Said's thesis is in my view nonsense..



Said too much..?, 01 Feb 2008
Drawing upon the work of Michel Foucault, Edward Said claims that Western ideas of the `Orient' are not based upon objective facts but are created through academic and cultural `discourses' which serve to promote Western imperialism - often despite `liberal' intentions.

This mythical `East' is the antithesis of the West, a negative or inversion of the Occident, and is used to define both in binary opposition to each other and to facilitate the political and domination of the East.

However in order to demonstrate the existence of this `Orientalism' Said falls back on an equally stereotypical and monolithic `West' which he constructs entirely from the carefully selected writings of a handful of 19th Century middle-class, white, male English and French authors.

This tactic not only ignores or misrepresents a large body of Western authors sympathetic to the East and sensitive to differences within it, but also glosses over Western heterogenities of class, race, sex, religion and generation in order to manufacture a homogenous `Occident' devoid of differences.

Said is as guilty of *Occidentalism* as those he criticises are of *Orientalism*.

Said fails to provide any evidence that the `West' defines itself in binary opposition to a mythical `East' that Western scholars have created for just this purpose, he simply *manufactures* the kind of `West' necessary to explain the `East' that he himself has constructed from a very limited number of Western texts about the `Orient'.

He has created his own mythical `East' and `West' from a small number of secondary sources which he then projects onto others and thinks he has *discovered* rather than *invented*.


Well past its sell-by date, 14 Mar 2006
Books, however good or bad they are, can gather a momentum of their own once they become best-sellers. So it is with Orientalism. People will continue to read it because so many have read it. All the same it is time to touch base and say loud and clear that this is a very bad book. It is full of unjustified vitriol against people Said does not like. It is completely unscholarly in that Said has clearly not read some of the material about which he offers opinions. It is unreliable in that he gets many important facts wrong. It is animated by the idea that anyone who doesn't have the same political opinions as Said cannot possibly have anything useful to say. Finally, and perhaps worst of all, Said showed himself to be impervious to criticism and did not even both to correct clearly established errors. This is a work of great arrogance. The case for all of these points is made by Robert Irwin in For Lust of Knowing (2006). Anyone reading Said's book must also read Irwin if they want to have a balanced view.

An utterly outstanding book that demands reading, 14 Jan 2005
Few works are more deserving of the 'Modern Classic' label that Penguin has given this book. Perhaps it is only after nearly twenty year since its first publication that we are able to appreciate the prophetic and uniquely influential nature of Said's insights into the roots of the 'West's' antagonism towards the 'Orient'. For what is, in effect, little more than a book of literary criticism, the ramifications for all areas of scholarly research and investigation are remarkable. On a personal level it is a book that has profoundly affected both my political and academic outlook and forced a re-evaluation of my attitudes (and not just towards the Middle-East) and, more significantly, the underlying deceits or conspiracies of history on which they are founded. I urge every person in a position of power to study this canonical work. That it is hard reading does not detract from but adds to the power of the work; at every moment Said's intimidating (but inspiringly humanistic and humane) scholarship is in evidence and one can only marvel at his analytical dexterity. Those who see the book as repetative and hypocritically reductive have failed to grasp the true substance which is in the criticism and not primarily in the conclusions which are, for the most part, self-evident, as Said himself declares from the outset.
There will, I am sure, continue be numerous wilful misreadings of 'Orientalism' and that it continues to provoke such controversy is a testament to its brilliance. Ignore them and read it.

Simple but elegantly written, 20 Nov 2008
Obama completely embraces the importance of effective communication as reflected on this book. I like the part where he realized how important is saying the right words and get the people's undivided attention to what he is saying.

Best Book I've read in 10 yrs., 20 Nov 2008
He describes his childhood to manhood in such a sensitive & interesting way. An honest & frank look at race issues that he had to consider due to his mixed race & ancestry. Until I'd read the book, I hadn't realised how deep he was. I Highly Recommend this book! Once I started it , I then looked forward to my next train journeys, to get the next instalment. And its now solved my Xmas gift ideas! I'm buying 10 x copies for friends & family. Great Writer!

Touching and sincere, 16 Nov 2008
This book was written so beutifully, that even the most mundane information evokes emotions that can't be explained. The chapter in which he describes his only memories of his father from about age ten is the part that really got me. Obama shares the memory of the one and only time his father taught him to dance. "Come Barry,my father said. "You will learn from the master" And suddenly his slender body was swaying back and forth, the lush sound was rising, his arms were swinging...." I became teary eyed while reading that part on the tube on the way to a job interview. I felt sorry that this young boy held onto all that he could of his father. Obama goes onto describe many years of his child and adult life. This is a must read for book fans, even if Obama hadn't become the first black American president he was still one hell of a writer.

Moving,engaging and inspiring, 15 Nov 2008
I have just finished President elect Obama's book. I could not put it down,and could not believe it was written by a politician.

He gives an honest account of his journey into his self, and search for his identity and roots.

I feel I have a real sense of the man, after reading this book. He is self aware, and I enjoyed his ability to share his struggles with readers.I could pick up on his sense of sadness, and confusion in his journey.


His work in the South side of Chicago, definitely gave him the grounding for the brilliant campaign he ran for the presidency.

I particularly enjoyed his description of his journey to Kenya, which I have travelled to several times.

This is definitely one of the best memoirs I have read.He writes with sensitivity,and is able to connect with his readers.

It gives me a lot of insight into the values,and background of the next president of the United States.



Perceptive, sensitive, funny, self-ironic, 13 Nov 2008
This was an unexpectedly fantastic read: how could a man who (later)decided to go into politics be so honest, so self-searching, so willing to explore beneath the surfaces? The fact that the author is now the US president-elect makes it all the more intriguing, but the autobiography is wonderful even without that extra 'icing on the cake'. Obama has a sensitivity to his own and others' weaknesses and strengths; he sees through the facade but is forgiving of people's foibles. What he has to say about being of mixed race is very much worth listening to: all those who just don't get the problems in US ghettoes or African countries might learn something here. His search for his own identity--the archetypical hero's journey to find the father--is both funny and very touching; the immense disappointment becomes a source of knowledge and wisdom. This is a man who crosses many bridges: between black and white, men and women, 'West' and 'Third World', past and present. Buy it--and enjoy it!

An introduction to African-American history and oratory, 28 Sep 2008
I picked up a copy of this book to explore a growing interest in American oratory and, in particular, the rise of Barack Obama in the American policital stage and his potential place in history.
My knowledge of the history of the USA, along with many other British students attending school in the 1980's, starts and ends with the American Civil War and the plight of Native Americans. However, I am deeply moved by the speeches of Dr King - this book includes one of his most famous speeches which, rightfully I feel, is familiar to us all and, in particular, what it meant for the thousands of Americans stuggling for the same basic rights as others.
The speeches within this collection are a fascinating insight to the history of Civil Rights in the USA and are themselves a chronicle of the desperately slow-moving and, at times, regressive politics surrounding the recognition of the rights for African Americans.
I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in modern history, an interest in American politics as well as anyone concerned with the power the majority can have over the majority - relevant to us all.

It's about the Truth, 08 Nov 2008
I don't know much about "Orient" or "Orientalism" and after all this book is not about what I thought it would be but as a History undergraduate student I found this book very revealing. It's about the necessity for searching for the Truth, without contenting yourself with superficial findings based not on the Truth itself but what it is convenient for you to call true.

Utter Drivel, 04 Apr 2008
I do not know how Americans view Islam but as an Englishman/European it seems to me that Said's views are so much poppycock.To make a couple of points in a limited space.

Of course we have a stereotypical view of Islam just as Islam has a stereotypical view of us - and these views are largely hostile .So what? For century after century Islam was an enormous threat to what might loosely be called Christendom. It shaped every aspect of European history and was directly responsible for Europes colonial empires. Up till around 1750 they were a dangerous direct competitor to our interests.Gibbon writing in the 1780s was the first to think that the danger had passed .On a local scale the threat lasted even longer - Barbary pirates ravaged the coast of England up till the 1830s carting off coastal villages into slavery and at even later dates on the west coast of Ireland and that was at the height of the British Empire ! .By a strange inversion left wing academics and Said have made Europeans and Americans see these things entirely from the point of view of Islam ie as uniquely a problem of western imperialism largely ignoring about a thousand years of history.

Common sense would suggest that as our knowledge of these societies grew in the 19th century so stereotypes would break down.Said says the opposite - they served to reinforce them. Common Sense is right - stereotypes did break down.He makes much of the fact that as a boy he saw these european pictures of the east and they bore no relation to the societies he knew.It never seems to occur to him that as a Palestinian/American he might not be seeing these pictures as a European sees them and a 19th century European at that. 19th century Europeans , for whom these pictures were intended , were preoccupied with the dehumanising and mechanising aspects of industrial society ,their own society, and used other societies to show up these concerns.European attitudes were complex and contradictory but they were not attempting to give an accurate view of oriental society as their viewers well understood. When Gauguin paints a picture of a naked Tahitian girl we dont think he is trying to justify French imperialism nor do we think that he is saying much about Tahiti. Naked Tahitian girls did not buy his paintings. He was saying a great deal however about 19th century France with its rigid stifling conventions compared with the natural grace of a simpler more primitive world. Said is himself guilty of a kind of mental colonialism.He assumes that he understands what these pictures are about and is going to tell us what they mean. But he does not understand them because he does not understand 19th century Europe and he gets it wrong.

Finally Said does not seem to understand that the British did not need to justify their oriental empire by regarding other societies as inferior and their rule as necessary to bring enlightenment to the natives. He assumes that, like the Roman Empire, it was acquired through conscious effort.Nothing could be further from the truth. The British Empire in India was acquired in a haphazard way through chance .They thought that as it had been delivered into their hands by fate they had as much right to be there as their Moghul predecessors. Early British colonialists simply adopted the customs of the dominant Muslim culture which they much admired.- even to the point of practising polygamy.It was only after the Indian mutiny in the late Victorian period when the British were forbidden to intermarry with the natives that they turned into a caste and thought that they had to justify their presence in the country by adopting spurious notions of superiority.

In short western attitudes to the orient mirror by and large oriental attitudes to the west - often confusing and contradictory. Americas particular support for Israel owes much to a particular sense of their own identity and is not shared by European countries. Said's thesis is in my view nonsense..



Said too much..?, 01 Feb 2008
Drawing upon the work of Michel Foucault, Edward Said claims that Western ideas of the `Orient' are not based upon objective facts but are created through academic and cultural `discourses' which serve to promote Western imperialism - often despite `liberal' intentions.

This mythical `East' is the antithesis of the West, a negative or inversion of the Occident, and is used to define both in binary opposition to each other and to facilitate the political and domination of the East.

However in order to demonstrate the existence of this `Orientalism' Said falls back on an equally stereotypical and monolithic `West' which he constructs entirely from the carefully selected writings of a handful of 19th Century middle-class, white, male English and French authors.

This tactic not only ignores or misrepresents a large body of Western authors sympathetic to the East and sensitive to differences within it, but also glosses over Western heterogenities of class, race, sex, religion and generation in order to manufacture a homogenous `Occident' devoid of differences.

Said is as guilty of *Occidentalism* as those he criticises are of *Orientalism*.

Said fails to provide any evidence that the `West' defines itself in binary opposition to a mythical `East' that Western scholars have created for just this purpose, he simply *manufactures* the kind of `West' necessary to explain the `East' that he himself has constructed from a very limited number of Western texts about the `Orient'.

He has created his own mythical `East' and `West' from a small number of secondary sources which he then projects onto others and thinks he has *discovered* rather than *invented*.


Well past its sell-by date, 14 Mar 2006
Books, however good or bad they are, can gather a momentum of their own once they become best-sellers. So it is with Orientalism. People will continue to read it because so many have read it. All the same it is time to touch base and say loud and clear that this is a very bad book. It is full of unjustified vitriol against people Said does not like. It is completely unscholarly in that Said has clearly not read some of the material about which he offers opinions. It is unreliable in that he gets many important facts wrong. It is animated by the idea that anyone who doesn't have the same political opinions as Said cannot possibly have anything useful to say. Finally, and perhaps worst of all, Said showed himself to be impervious to criticism and did not even both to correct clearly established errors. This is a work of great arrogance. The case for all of these points is made by Robert Irwin in For Lust of Knowing (2006). Anyone reading Said's book must also read Irwin if they want to have a balanced view.

An utterly outstanding book that demands reading, 14 Jan 2005
Few works are more deserving of the 'Modern Classic' label that Penguin has given this book. Perhaps it is only after nearly twenty year since its first publication that we are able to appreciate the prophetic and uniquely influential nature of Said's insights into the roots of the 'West's' antagonism towards the 'Orient'. For what is, in effect, little more than a book of literary criticism, the ramifications for all areas of scholarly research and investigation are remarkable. On a personal level it is a book that has profoundly affected both my political and academic outlook and forced a re-evaluation of my attitudes (and not just towards the Middle-East) and, more significantly, the underlying deceits or conspiracies of history on which they are founded. I urge every person in a position of power to study this canonical work. That it is hard reading does not detract from but adds to the power of the work; at every moment Said's intimidating (but inspiringly humanistic and humane) scholarship is in evidence and one can only marvel at his analytical dexterity. Those who see the book as repetative and hypocritically reductive have failed to grasp the true substance which is in the criticism and not primarily in the conclusions which are, for the most part, self-evident, as Said himself declares from the outset.
There will, I am sure, continue be numerous wilful misreadings of 'Orientalism' and that it continues to provoke such controversy is a testament to its brilliance. Ignore them and read it.

Not enough depth, 09 Feb 2008
As a first year student we were recommended this book to complete our first assignments. I felt it gave a basic overview of the whole concept and I was not left satisfied. For example the PCS model was explained, however I found I kept going back to the book to try and gain more knowledge on the whole concept of Anti-Discriminatory Practice-that, simply, wasnt there! I feel this book could have been better if it had explored the more in depth concepts behind Anti Discriminatory Practice, althogether it was too general.

This is only a place to start, 02 May 2007
If seriously considering anti-oppressive or discriminatory practice, perhaps it should have been called an introduction to anti-oppressive or discriminatory practices.

As a result I dont believe that criticisms of epistemological analysis and comparisons with A level sociology are fair, infact I think they indicate the sympathies of the previous reviewer and sociology has really moved on from the epistemological discussions and philosophical debates of Hobbes, Locke et al.

I would say that there are much more interesting and illustrative examples of discrimination, power and oppression in James C Scott's Domination and the Arts of Resistance, however Thompson's model of oppression occuring at the personal, cultural and structural levels should be a spur to further thinking and investigation.

I have only given it three stars since it can only really serve as an introduction to the topic, its written, in the style of the staple of social work practitioner texts, which is less than compelling, has little or no narrative style and reads a lot like DVD player instructions or the continually circulating body of knowledge in all the paper exercises social services training units have invented.

It doesnt tackle the issues of discrimination or oppression of professionals contra other professionals or agencies, which David Howe did in an earlier book which may be out of print now, it does make it appear like oppression is easily defeated and doesnt at all have the health warning that this sort of thing really ought to be accompanied with.

A level sociology revisited, 18 Sep 2003
An at times simplistic account of forms of discrimination which rarely attempts any real depth of analysis. Possibly this is all social work students want to get through their essays with high marks, but the narrative will fail to prepare them for the reality of extreme rationing and endless office based work after qualification. Thompson has certainly got lucky with this best seller that successfully simplifies and packages complex forms of power and domination and presents them as easily confronted and solved. No evidence of epistemological analysis but instead just a new form of A level sociology in drag. Still it sells like hot cakes and so the publishers should be happy, and the career must surely have taken off. Crude, academically lazy and completely out of touch with us the social work practitioners!

Seminal, 24 Mar 2003
An absolute must have for anyone wanting to work in the field of social care. Thompson's grasp of issues around the areas of discrimination is second to none and his ability to describe and analyse potential problems and common pitfalls is first class. Only criticism is that perhaps he is a bit of one trick pony, his PCS model appears all over the place, including in other texts. Nevertheless it makes sense and it works. If you are interested in structral oppression and how endemic it is even within the social care profession buy this book

Not entirely an anti- discriminatory view., 20 Jan 2003
As a social work student I thought that this book would look at examples that occurr everyday when trying to work in an anti-discriminatory way. Unfortunately I did not feel that the book gave any other view than to assume that the social worker will always be the one who discriminates and the examples used became one sided and repetitive. I actually challenge this view with the book - as anyone will know, discrimination cuts both ways. Although a solution may never be reached, what about when users discriminate against each other and towards you, what would be the best way to practice then? After several pages I actually felt that the book was more brain-washing rather than giving some though provoking healthy suggestions for practice.

Simple but elegantly written, 20 Nov 2008
Obama completely embraces the importance of effective communication as reflected on this book. I like the part where he realized how important is saying the right words and get the people's undivided attention to what he is saying.

Best Book I've read in 10 yrs., 20 Nov 2008
He describes his childhood to manhood in such a sensitive & interesting way. An honest & frank look at race issues that he had to consider due to his mixed race & ancestry. Until I'd read the book, I hadn't realised how deep he was. I Highly Recommend this book! Once I started it , I then looked forward to my next train journeys, to get the next instalment. And its now solved my Xmas gift ideas! I'm buying 10 x copies for friends & family. Great Writer!

Touching and sincere, 16 Nov 2008
This book was written so beutifully, that even the most mundane information evokes emotions that can't be explained. The chapter in which he describes his only memories of his father from about age ten is the part that really got me. Obama shares the memory of the one and only time his father taught him to dance. "Come Barry,my father said. "You will learn from the master" And suddenly his slender body was swaying back and forth, the lush sound was rising, his arms were swinging...." I became teary eyed while reading that part on the tube on the way to a job interview. I felt sorry that this young boy held onto all that he could of his father. Obama goes onto describe many years of his child and adult life. This is a must read for book fans, even if Obama hadn't become the first black American president he was still one hell of a writer.

Moving,engaging and inspiring, 15 Nov 2008
I have just finished President elect Obama's book. I could not put it down,and could not believe it was written by a politician.

He gives an honest account of his journey into his self, and search for his identity and roots.

I feel I have a real sense of the man, after reading this book. He is self aware, and I enjoyed his ability to share his struggles with readers.I could pick up on his sense of sadness, and confusion in his journey.


His work in the South side of Chicago, definitely gave him the grounding for the brilliant campaign he ran for the presidency.

I particularly enjoyed his description of his journey to Kenya, which I have travelled to several times.

This is definitely one of the best memoirs I have read.He writes with sensitivity,and is able to connect with his readers.

It gives me a lot of insight into the values,and background of the next president of the United States.



Perceptive, sensitive, funny, self-ironic, 13 Nov 2008
This was an unexpectedly fantastic read: how could a man who (later)decided to go into politics be so honest, so self-searching, so willing to explore beneath the surfaces? The fact that the author is now the US president-elect makes it all the more intriguing, but the autobiography is wonderful even without that extra 'icing on the cake'. Obama has a sensitivity to his own and others' weaknesses and strengths; he sees through the facade but is forgiving of people's foibles. What he has to say about being of mixed race is very much worth listening to: all those who just don't get the problems in US ghettoes or African countries might learn something here. His search for his own identity--the archetypical hero's journey to find the father--is both funny and very touching; the immense disappointment becomes a source of knowledge and wisdom. This is a man who crosses many bridges: between black and white, men and women, 'West' and 'Third World', past and present. Buy it--and enjoy it!

An introduction to African-American history and oratory, 28 Sep 2008
I picked up a copy of this book to explore a growing interest in American oratory and, in particular, the rise of Barack Obama in the American policital stage and his potential place in history.
My knowledge of the history of the USA, along with many other British students attending school in the 1980's, starts and ends with the American Civil War and the plight of Native Americans. However, I am deeply moved by the speeches of Dr King - this book includes one of his most famous speeches which, rightfully I feel, is familiar to us all and, in particular, what it meant for the thousands of Americans stuggling for the same basic rights as others.
The speeches within this collection are a fascinating insight to the history of Civil Rights in the USA and are themselves a chronicle of the desperately slow-moving and, at times, regressive politics surrounding the recognition of the rights for African Americans.
I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in modern history, an interest in American politics as well as anyone concerned with the power the majority can have over the majority - relevant to us all.

It's about the Truth, 08 Nov 2008
I don't know much about "Orient" or "Orientalism" and after all this book is not about what I thought it would be but as a History undergraduate student I found this book very revealing. It's about the necessity for searching for the Truth, without contenting yourself with superficial findings based not on the Truth itself but what it is convenient for you to call true.

Utter Drivel, 04 Apr 2008
I do not know how Americans view Islam but as an Englishman/European it seems to me that Said's views are so much poppycock.To make a couple of points in a limited space.

Of course we have a stereotypical view of Islam just as Islam has a stereotypical view of us - and these views are largely hostile .So what? For century after century Islam was an enormous threat to what might loosely be called Christendom. It shaped every aspect of European history and was directly responsible for Europes colonial empires. Up till around 1750 they were a dangerous direct competitor to our interests.Gibbon writing in the 1780s was the first to think that the danger had passed .On a local scale the threat lasted even longer - Barbary pirates ravaged the coast of England up till the 1830s carting off coastal villages into slavery and at even later dates on the west coast of Ireland and that was at the height of the British Empire ! .By a strange inversion left wing academics and Said have made Europeans and Americans see these things entirely from the point of view of Islam ie as uniquely a problem of western imperialism largely ignoring about a thousand years of history.

Common sense would suggest that as our knowledge of these societies grew in the 19th century so stereotypes would break down.Said says the opposite - they served to reinforce them. Common Sense is right - stereotypes did break down.He makes much of the fact that as a boy he saw these european pictures of the east and they bore no relation to the societies he knew.It never seems to occur to him that as a Palestinian/American he might not be seeing these pictures as a European sees them and a 19th century European at that. 19th century Europeans , for whom these pictures were intended , were preoccupied with the dehumanising and mechanising aspects of industrial society ,their own society, and used other societies to show up these concerns.European attitudes were complex and contradictory but they were not attempting to give an accurate view of oriental society as their viewers well understood. When Gauguin paints a picture of a naked Tahitian girl we dont think he is trying to justify French imperialism nor do we think that he is saying much about Tahiti. Naked Tahitian girls did not buy his paintings. He was saying a great deal however about 19th century France with its rigid stifling conventions compared with the natural grace of a simpler more primitive world. Said is himself guilty of a kind of mental colonialism.He assumes that he understands what these pictures are about and is going to tell us what they mean. But he does not understand them because he does not understand 19th century Europe and he gets it wrong.

Finally Said does not seem to understand that the British did not need to justify their oriental empire by regarding other societies as inferior and their rule as necessary to bring enlightenment to the natives. He assumes that, like the Roman Empire, it was acquired through conscious effort.Nothing could be further from the truth. The British Empire in India was acquired in a haphazard way through chance .They thought that as it had been delivered into their hands by fate they had as much right to be there as their Moghul predecessors. Early British colonialists simply adopted the customs of the dominant Muslim culture which they much admired.- even to the point of practising polygamy.It was only after the Indian mutiny in the late Victorian period when the British were forbidden to intermarry with the natives that they turned into a caste and thought that they had to justify their presence in the country by adopting spurious notions of superiority.

In short western attitudes to the orient mirror by and large oriental attitudes to the west - often confusing and contradictory. Americas particular support for Israel owes much to a particular sense of their own identity and is not shared by European countries. Said's thesis is in my view nonsense..



Said too much..?, 01 Feb 2008
Drawing upon the work of Michel Foucault, Edward Said claims that Western ideas of the `Orient' are not based upon objective facts but are created through academic and cultural `discourses' which serve to promote Western imperialism - often despite `liberal' intentions.

This mythical `East' is the antithesis of the West, a negative or inversion of the Occident, and is used to define both in binary opposition to each other and to facilitate the political and domination of the East.

However in order to demonstrate the existence of this `Orientalism' Said falls back on an equally stereotypical and monolithic `West' which he constructs entirely from the carefully selected writings of a handful of 19th Century middle-class, white, male English and French authors.

This tactic not only ignores or misrepresents a large body of Western authors sympathetic to the East and sensitive to differences within it, but also glosses over Western heterogenities of class, race, sex, religion and generation in order to manufacture a homogenous `Occident' devoid of differences.

Said is as guilty of *Occidentalism* as those he criticises are of *Orientalism*.

Said fails to provide any evidence that the `West' defines itself in binary opposition to a mythical `East' that Western scholars have created for just this purpose, he simply *manufactures* the kind of `West' necessary to explain the `East' that he himself has constructed from a very limited number of Western texts about the `Orient'.

He has created his own mythical `East' and `West' from a small number of secondary sources which he then projects onto others and thinks he has *discovered* rather than *invented*.


Well past its sell-by date, 14 Mar 2006
Books, however good or bad they are, can gather a momentum of their own once they become best-sellers. So it is with Orientalism. People will continue to read it because so many have read it. All the same it is time to touch base and say loud and clear that this is a very bad book. It is full of unjustified vitriol against people Said does not like. It is completely unscholarly in that Said has clearly not read some of the material about which he offers opinions. It is unreliable in that he gets many important facts wrong. It is animated by the idea that anyone who doesn't have the same political opinions as Said cannot possibly have anything useful to say. Finally, and perhaps worst of all, Said showed himself to be impervious to criticism and did not even both to correct clearly established errors. This is a work of great arrogance. The case for all of these points is made by Robert Irwin in For Lust of Knowing (2006). Anyone reading Said's book must also read Irwin if they want to have a balanced view.

An utterly outstanding book that demands reading, 14 Jan 2005
Few works are more deserving of the 'Modern Classic' label that Penguin has given this book. Perhaps it is only after nearly twenty year since its first publication that we are able to appreciate the prophetic and uniquely influential nature of Said's insights into the roots of the 'West's' antagonism towards the 'Orient'. For what is, in effect, little more than a book of literary criticism, the ramifications for all areas of scholarly research and investigation are remarkable. On a personal level it is a book that has profoundly affected both my political and academic outlook and forced a re-evaluation of my attitudes (and not just towards the Middle-East) and, more significantly, the underlying deceits or conspiracies of history on which they are founded. I urge every person in a position of power to study this canonical work. That it is hard reading does not detract from but adds to the power of the work; at every moment Said's intimidating (but inspiringly humanistic and humane) scholarship is in evidence and one can only marvel at his analytical dexterity. Those who see the book as repetative and hypocritically reductive have failed to grasp the true substance which is in the criticism and not primarily in the conclusions which are, for the most part, self-evident, as Said himself declares from the outset.
There will, I am sure, continue be numerous wilful misreadings of 'Orientalism' and that it continues to provoke such controversy is a testament to its brilliance. Ignore them and read it.

Not enough depth, 09 Feb 2008
As a first year student we were recommended this book to complete our first assignments. I felt it gave a basic overview of the whole concept and I was not left satisfied. For example the PCS model was explained, however I found I kept going back to the book to try and gain more knowledge on the whole concept of Anti-Discriminatory Practice-that, simply, wasnt there! I feel this book could have been better if it had explored the more in depth concepts behind Anti Discriminatory Practice, althogether it was too general.

This is only a place to start, 02 May 2007
If seriously considering anti-oppressive or discriminatory practice, perhaps it should have been called an introduction to anti-oppressive or discriminatory practices.

As a result I dont believe that criticisms of epistemological analysis and comparisons with A level sociology are fair, infact I think they indicate the sympathies of the previous reviewer and sociology has really moved on from the epistemological discussions and philosophical debates of Hobbes, Locke et al.

I would say that there are much more interesting and illustrative examples of discrimination, power and oppression in James C Scott's Domination and the Arts of Resistance, however Thompson's model of oppression occuring at the personal, cultural and structural levels should be a spur to further thinking and investigation.

I have only given it three stars since it can only really serve as an introduction to the topic, its written, in the style of the staple of social work practitioner texts, which is less than compelling, has little or no narrative style and reads a lot like DVD player instructions or the continually circulating body of knowledge in all the paper exercises social services training units have invented.

It doesnt tackle the issues of discrimination or oppression of professionals contra other professionals or agencies, which David Howe did in an earlier book which may be out of print now, it does make it appear like oppression is easily defeated and doesnt at all have the health warning that this sort of thing really ought to be accompanied with.

A level sociology revisited, 18 Sep 2003
An at times simplistic account of forms of discrimination which rarely attempts any real depth of analysis. Possibly this is all social work students want to get through their essays with high marks, but the narrative will fail to prepare them for the reality of extreme rationing and endless office based work after qualification. Thompson has certainly got lucky with this best seller that successfully simplifies and packages complex forms of power and domination and presents them as easily confronted and solved. No evidence of epistemological analysis but instead just a new form of A level sociology in drag. Still it sells like hot cakes and so the publishers should be happy, and the career must surely have taken off. Crude, academically lazy and completely out of touch with us the social work practitioners!

Seminal, 24 Mar 2003
An absolute must have for anyone wanting to work in the field of social care. Thompson's grasp of issues around the areas of discrimination is second to none and his ability to describe and analyse potential problems and common pitfalls is first class. Only criticism is that perhaps he is a bit of one trick pony, his PCS model appears all over the place, including in other texts. Nevertheless it makes sense and it works. If you are interested in structral oppression and how endemic it is even within the social care profession buy this book

Not entirely an anti- discriminatory view., 20 Jan 2003
As a social work student I thought that this book would look at examples that occurr everyday when trying to work in an anti-discriminatory way. Unfortunately I did not feel that the book gave any other view than to assume that the social worker will always be the one who discriminates and the examples used became one sided and repetitive. I actually challenge this view with the book - as anyone will know, discrimination cuts both ways. Although a solution may never be reached, what about when users discriminate against each other and towards you, what would be the best way to practice then? After several pages I actually felt that the book was more brain-washing rather than giving some though provoking healthy suggestions for practice.

Disappointing, 15 Jul 2008
Truly the worst holocaust testimony ever written.So many mistakes throughout the whole text.Two examples of which were when Mr Muller mentions the camp orchestra in Birkenau,there was none, it was in Auschwitz 1.He also quotes that Kramer was in Birkenau and had came from Auschwitz 2.Both are one and the same place But important errors like these were repeated in every chapter and the worry for me is that Holocaust deniers may pick up on these simple blunders.Mr Mullers over use of adjectives and repetition of statements at times resulted in the book bordering on being boring.It read more like a students written essay who wasnt fully informed ,rather than an actual Holocaust survivors memoirs.Ive read many more imformative Holocaust testimonies and even Mr Muller must have been disappointed with the finished article.I tend to believe that the foreword said it all.

ochmister, 06 Jun 2008
Simple, one of the best books I have ever read. Very sad, sometimes un believable. But believe, this really happened and should not be forgotton. My respect goes to the author.

An account by somebody who witnessed everything first hand., 16 May 2008
There have been countless books written about Hitlers Final solution mostly by historians and occasionally by eyewitness survivors.

You can read account after account of conditions in the final months leading to the Russians eventual entry into the camp but few books will be as informative as this one written by camp Sonderkommando Filip Muller whose actual job was to operate the crematoria and dispose of the thousands of corpses.

During the latter half of 1944 an incredible 10,000+ were liquidated on a daily basis.This may appear too far fetched to comprehend at first but when you realise that those in command from Hitler right down to Himmlers eventual realisation that the war was turning against them a dramatic escelation in gassing took place until mass shootings were the norm and corpses were burnt round the clock in open pits.

At the height of the liquidation Berkenhau had over ten ovens working night and day resulting in a massive escalation of gassings.In early 1944,10,000 prisoners were murdered every day and there were sufficient ovens to cope with the huge number of bodies.

Filip was there as all this was going on and later as the mass of bodies became too overwhelming to cope with it was the Sonderkommandos duty to remove the rotting corpses for disposal in the ovens.

There are certain passages that will really make one think momentarily on the question of mans inhumanity towards his fellow man.

The arrival and first trial of mass gassings where under extream brutality men women and children were forced to undress knowingly they were facing certain death.

Possibly the most heart rending extracts are to be found on page 48 where Filip having discovered the arrival of his father at the camp has to cremate his body after his death from tythus.Fellow workmen working alongside him at the blazing ovens recite a prayer.

The book really brings the true barbarity of camp life to the reader.

The inhumanity of certain Kapos or team leaders given trusted duties by the SS who were extreamly sadistic beating fellow prisoners to death due to anger against what the SS were doing to their fellow countrymen.

Whilst reading the first two chapters one clearly realises these are the genuine testimony of somebody who lived on a daily basis where systematic murder was common place.Unless you witnessed at first hand you couldnot make up such testimony such as these.

As i have already said you can write about this highly documented period in history but unless you were physically there in person to witness these events no amount of research will reveal the actual truth.

This is why Filip Mullers book is so important,as less than a handfull of Sonderkommandos at Auschwitz actually lived to bear witness to their testimony.Every few months new Sonderkommandos were appointed whilst those working at the cremetoria were gassed with other prisoners so that the truth of Genocide was never allowed to escape.Filips survival is the more amazing in that he survived and bared witness to the atrocities.

Unless you were actually there in person you cannot envisage the horrors and brutality of camp guards and SS officers.Muller recounts day to day life within the confines of Auschwitz-Berkenhau like only a fellow prisoner could relate.

His matter of fact account of unimaginable horrors makes compelling reading if not unpleasant reading.He has not withheld any of the material that will disgust or distress us,everything has been accounted for right up to his amazing survival.

As a Sonderkommando he was to some extent safe as his services were of great importance to the camps efficient running.Without him and other workers the mass murder couldnot have taken place at such a large scale.

A book that is extreamly well written by somebody who actually knows what went on within the camp.Few books can bring home the true meaning of genocide as can this one.

If you are looking for great detail on events and life within Hitlers largest death camp then this book will not disappoint.

Brings the Reality of what went on home !, 11 May 2008
I visited Auschwitz earlier this year. I wish I had read this book before I had gone as it really brought home the terrible crimes that went on in this place. If you are interested in Auschwitz then this is a must read !

Gripping, 28 Apr 2008
What an amazing account of the holocaust and believe me I have read a few!
This book gives a gripping account of one mans survival in the death factory that can only be described as hell on earth.
The author is a testimony to courage and mans desire to stay alive at all costs.
Buy this now!

Simple but elegantly written, 20 Nov 2008
Obama completely embraces the importance of effective communication as reflected on this book. I like the part where he realized how important is saying the right words and get the people's undivided attention to what he is saying.

Best Book I've read in 10 yrs., 20 Nov 2008
He describes his childhood to manhood in such a sensitive & interesting way. An honest & frank look at race issues that he had to consider due to his mixed race & ancestry. Until I'd read the book, I hadn't realised how deep he was. I Highly Recommend this book! Once I started it , I then looked forward to my next train journeys, to get the next instalment. And its now solved my Xmas gift ideas! I'm buying 10 x copies for friends & family. Great Writer!

Touching and sincere, 16 Nov 2008
This book was written so beutifully, that even the most mundane information evokes emotions that can't be explained. The chapter in which he describes his only memories of his father from about age ten is the part that really got me. Obama shares the memory of the one and only time his father taught him to dance. "Come Barry,my father said. "You will learn from the master" And suddenly his slender body was swaying back and forth, the lush sound was rising, his arms were swinging...." I became teary eyed while reading that part on the tube on the way to a job interview. I felt sorry that this young boy held onto all that he could of his father. Obama goes onto describe many years of his child and adult life. This is a must read for book fans, even if Obama hadn't become the first black American president he was still one hell of a writer.

Moving,engaging and inspiring, 15 Nov 2008
I have just finished President elect Obama's book. I could not put it down,and could not believe it was written by a politician.

He gives an honest account of his journey into his self, and search for his identity and roots.

I feel I have a real sense of the man, after reading this book. He is self aware, and I enjoyed his ability to share his struggles with readers.I could pick up on his sense of sadness, and confusion in his journey.


His work in the South side of Chicago, definitely gave him the grounding for the brilliant campaign he ran for the presidency.

I particularly enjoyed his description of his journey to Kenya, which I have travelled to several times.

This is definitely one of the best memoirs I have read.He writes with sensitivity,and is able to connect with his readers.

It gives me a lot of insight into the values,and background of the next president of the United States.



Perceptive, sensitive, funny, self-ironic, 13 Nov 2008
This was an unexpectedly fantastic read: how could a man who (later)decided to go into politics be so honest, so self-searching, so willing to explore beneath the surfaces? The fact that the author is now the US president-elect makes it all the more intriguing, but the autobiography is wonderful even without that extra 'icing on the cake'. Obama has a sensitivity to his own and others' weaknesses and strengths; he sees through the facade but is forgiving of people's foibles. What he has to say about being of mixed race is very much worth listening to: all those who just don't get the problems in US ghettoes or African countries might learn something here. His search for his own identity--the archetypical hero's journey to find the father--is both funny and very touching; the immense disappointment becomes a source of knowledge and wisdom. This is a man who crosses many bridges: between black and white, men and women, 'West' and 'Third World', past and present. Buy it--and enjoy it!

An introduction to African-American history and oratory, 28 Sep 2008
I picked up a copy of this book to explore a growing interest in American oratory and, in particular, the rise of Barack Obama in the American policital stage and his potential place in history.
My knowledge of the history of the USA, along with many other British students attending school in the 1980's, starts and ends with the American Civil War and the plight of Native Americans. However, I am deeply moved by the speeches of Dr King - this book includes one of his most famous speeches which, rightfully I feel, is familiar to us all and, in particular, what it meant for the thousands of Americans stuggling for the same basic rights as others.
The speeches within this collection are a fascinating insight to the history of Civil Rights in the USA and are themselves a chronicle of the desperately slow-moving and, at times, regressive politics surrounding the recognition of the rights for African Americans.
I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in modern history, an interest in American politics as well as anyone concerned with the power the majority can have over the majority - relevant to us all.

It's about the Truth, 08 Nov 2008
I don't know much about "Orient" or "Orientalism" and after all this book is not about what I thought it would be but as a History undergraduate student I found this book very revealing. It's about the necessity for searching for the Truth, without contenting yourself with superficial findings based not on the Truth itself but what it is convenient for you to call true.

Utter Drivel, 04 Apr 2008
I do not know how Americans view Islam but as an Englishman/European it seems to me that Said's views are so much poppycock.To make a couple of points in a limited space.

Of course we have a stereotypical view of Islam just as Islam has a stereotypical view of us - and these views are largely hostile .So what? For century after century Islam was an enormous threat to what might loosely be called Christendom. It shaped every aspect of European history and was directly responsible for Europes colonial empires. Up till around 1750 they were a dangerous direct competitor to our interests.Gibbon writing in the 1780s was the first to think that the danger had passed .On a local scale the threat lasted even longer - Barbary pirates ravaged the coast of England up till the 1830s carting off coastal villages into slavery and at even later dates on the west coast of Ireland and that was at the height of the British Empire ! .By a strange inversion left wing academics and Said have made Europeans and Americans see these things entirely from the point of view of Islam ie as uniquely a problem of western imperialism largely ignoring about a thousand years of history.

Common sense would suggest that as our knowledge of these societies grew in the 19th century so stereotypes would break down.Said says the opposite - they served to reinforce them. Common Sense is right - stereotypes did break down.He makes much of the fact that as a boy he saw these european pictures of the east and they bore no relation to the societies he knew.It never seems to occur to him that as a Palestinian/American he might not be seeing these pictures as a European sees them and a 19th century European at that. 19th century Europeans , for whom these pictures were intended , were preoccupied with the dehumanising and mechanising aspects of industrial society ,their own society, and used other societies to show up these concerns.European attitudes were complex and contradictory but they were not attempting to give an accurate view of oriental society as their viewers well understood. When Gauguin paints a picture of a naked Tahitian girl we dont think he is trying to justify French imperialism nor do we think that he is saying much about Tahiti. Naked Tahitian girls did not buy his paintings. He was saying a great deal however about 19th century France with its rigid stifling conventions compared with the natural grace of a simpler more primitive world. Said is himself guilty of a kind of mental colonialism.He assumes that he understands what these pictures are about and is going to tell us what they mean. But he does not understand them because he does not understand 19th century Europe and he gets it wrong.

Finally Said does not seem to understand that the British did not need to justify their oriental empire by regarding other societies as inferior and their rule as necessary to bring enlightenment to the natives. He assumes that, like the Roman Empire, it was acquired through conscious effort.Nothing could be further from the truth. The British Empire in India was acquired in a haphazard way through chance .They thought that as it had been delivered into their hands by fate they had as much right to be there as their Moghul predecessors. Early British colonialists simply adopted the customs of the dominant Muslim culture which they much admired.- even to the point of practising polygamy.It was only after the Indian mutiny in the late Victorian period when the British were forbidden to intermarry with the natives that they turned into a caste and thought that they had to justify their presence in the country by adopting spurious notions of superiority.

In short western attitudes to the orient mirror by and large oriental attitudes to the west - often confusing and contradictory. Americas particular support for Israel owes much to a particular sense of their own identity and is not shared by European countries. Said's thesis is in my view nonsense..



Said too much..?, 01 Feb 2008
Drawing upon the work of Michel Foucault, Edward Said claims that Western ideas of the `Orient' are not based upon objective facts but are created through academic and cultural `discourses' which serve to promote Western imperialism - often despite `liberal' intentions.

This mythical `East' is the antithesis of the West, a negative or inversion of the Occident, and is used to define both in binary opposition to each other and to facilitate the political and domination of the East.

However in order to demonstrate the existence of this `Orientalism' Said falls back on an equally stereotypical and monolithic `West' which he constructs entirely from the carefully selected writings of a handful of 19th Century middle-class, white, male English and French authors.

This tactic not only ignores or misrepresents a large body of Western authors sympathetic to the East and sensitive to differences within it, but also glosses over Western heterogenities of class, race, sex, religion and generation in order to manufacture a homogenous `Occident' devoid of differences.

Said is as guilty of *Occidentalism* as those he criticises are of *Orientalism*.

Said fails to provide any evidence that the `West' defines itself in binary opposition to a mythical `East' that Western scholars have created for just this purpose, he simply *manufactures* the kind of `West' necessary to explain the `East' that he himself has constructed from a very limited number of Western texts about the `Orient'.

He has created his own mythical `East' and `West' from a small number of secondary sources which he then projects onto others and thinks he has *discovered* rather than *invented*.


Well past its sell-by date, 14 Mar 2006
Books, however good or bad they are, can gather a momentum of their own once they become best-sellers. So it is with Orientalism. People will continue to read it because so many have read it. All the same it is time to touch base and say loud and clear that this is a very bad book. It is full of unjustified vitriol against people Said does not like. It is completely unscholarly in that Said has clearly not read some of the material about which he offers opinions. It is unreliable in that he gets many important facts wrong. It is animated by the idea that anyone who doesn't have the same political opinions as Said cannot possibly have anything useful to say. Finally, and perhaps worst of all, Said showed himself to be impervious to criticism and did not even both to correct clearly established errors. This is a work of great arrogance. The case for all of these points is made by Robert Irwin in For Lust of Knowing (2006). Anyone reading Said's book must also read Irwin if they want to have a balanced view.

An utterly outstanding book that demands reading, 14 Jan 2005
Few works are more deserving of the 'Modern Classic' label that Penguin has given this book. Perhaps it is only after nearly twenty year since its first publication that we are able to appreciate the prophetic and uniquely influential nature of Said's insights into the roots of the 'West's' antagonism towards the 'Orient'. For what is, in effect, little more than a book of literary criticism, the ramifications for all areas of scholarly research and investigation are remarkable. On a personal level it is a book that has profoundly affected both my political and academic outlook and forced a re-evaluation of my attitudes (and not just towards the Middle-East) and, more significantly, the underlying deceits or conspiracies of history on which they are founded. I urge every person in a position of power to study this canonical work. That it is hard reading does not detract from but adds to the power of the work; at every moment Said's intimidating (but inspiringly humanistic and humane) scholarship is in evidence and one can only marvel at his analytical dexterity. Those who see the book as repetative and hypocritically reductive have failed to grasp the true substance which is in the criticism and not primarily in the conclusions which are, for the most part, self-evident, as Said himself declares from the outset.
There will, I am sure, continue be numerous wilful misreadings of 'Orientalism' and that it continues to provoke such controversy is a testament to its brilliance. Ignore them and read it.

Not enough depth, 09 Feb 2008
As a first year student we were recommended this book to complete our first assignments. I felt it gave a basic overview of the whole concept and I was not left satisfied. For example the PCS model was explained, however I found I kept going back to the book to try and gain more knowledge on the whole concept of Anti-Discriminatory Practice-that, simply, wasnt there! I feel this book could have been better if it had explored the more in depth concepts behind Anti Discriminatory Practice, althogether it was too general.

This is only a place to start, 02 May 2007
If seriously considering anti-oppressive or discriminatory practice, perhaps it should have been called an introduction to anti-oppressive or discriminatory practices.

As a result I dont believe that criticisms of epistemological analysis and comparisons with A level sociology are fair, infact I think they indicate the sympathies of the previous reviewer and sociology has really moved on from the epistemological discussions and philosophical debates of Hobbes, Locke et al.

I would say that there are much more interesting and illustrative examples of discrimination, power and oppression in James C Scott's Domination and the Arts of Resistance, however Thompson's model of oppression occuring at the personal, cultural and structural levels should be a spur to further thinking and investigation.

I have only given it three stars since it can only really serve as an introduction to the topic, its written, in the style of the staple of social work practitioner texts, which is less than compelling, has little or no narrative style and reads a lot like DVD player instructions or the continually circulating body of knowledge in all the paper exercises social services training units have invented.

It doesnt tackle the issues of discrimination or oppression of professionals contra other professionals or agencies, which David Howe did in an earlier book which may be out of print now, it does make it appear like oppression is easily defeated and doesnt at all have the health warning that this sort of thing really ought to be accompanied with.

A level sociology revisited, 18 Sep 2003
An at times simplistic account of forms of discrimination which rarely attempts any real depth of analysis. Possibly this is all social work students want to get through their essays with high marks, but the narrative will fail to prepare them for the reality of extreme rationing and endless office based work after qualification. Thompson has certainly got lucky with this best seller that successfully simplifies and packages complex forms of power and domination and presents them as easily confronted and solved. No evidence of epistemological analysis but instead just a new form of A level sociology in drag. Still it sells like hot cakes and so the publishers should be happy, and the career must surely have taken off. Crude, academically lazy and completely out of touch with us the social work practitioners!

Seminal, 24 Mar 2003
An absolute must have for anyone wanting to work in the field of social care. Thompson's grasp of issues around the areas of discrimination is second to none and his ability to describe and analyse potential problems and common pitfalls is first class. Only criticism is that perhaps he is a bit of one trick pony, his PCS model appears all over the place, including in other texts. Nevertheless it makes sense and it works. If you are interested in structral oppression and how endemic it is even within the social care profession buy this book

Not entirely an anti- discriminatory view., 20 Jan 2003
As a social work student I thought that this book would look at examples that occurr everyday when trying to work in an anti-discriminatory way. Unfortunately I did not feel that the book gave any other view than to assume that the social worker will always be the one who discriminates and the examples used became one sided and repetitive. I actually challenge this view with the book - as anyone will know, discrimination cuts both ways. Although a solution may never be reached, what about when users discriminate against each other and towards you, what would be the best way to practice then? After several pages I actually felt that the book was more brain-washing rather than giving some though provoking healthy suggestions for practice.

Disappointing, 15 Jul 2008
Truly the worst holocaust testimony ever written.So many mistakes throughout the whole text.Two examples of which were when Mr Muller mentions the camp orchestra in Birkenau,there was none, it was in Auschwitz 1.He also quotes that Kramer was in Birkenau and had came from Auschwitz 2.Both are one and the same place But important errors like these were repeated in every chapter and the worry for me is that Holocaust deniers may pick up on these simple blunders.Mr Mullers over use of adjectives and repetition of statements at times resulted in the book bordering on being boring.It read more like a students written essay who wasnt fully informed ,rather than an actual Holocaust survivors memoirs.Ive read many more imformative Holocaust testimonies and even Mr Muller must have been disappointed with the finished article.I tend to believe that the foreword said it all.

ochmister, 06 Jun 2008
Simple, one of the best books I have ever read. Very sad, sometimes un believable. But believe, this really happened and should not be forgotton. My respect goes to the author.

An account by somebody who witnessed everything first hand., 16 May 2008
There have been countless books written about Hitlers Final solution mostly by historians and occasionally by eyewitness survivors.

You can read account after account of conditions in the final months leading to the Russians eventual entry into the camp but few books will be as informative as this one written by camp Sonderkommando Filip Muller whose actual job was to operate the crematoria and dispose of the thousands of corpses.

During the latter half of 1944 an incredible 10,000+ were liquidated on a daily basis.This may appear too far fetched to comprehend at first but when you realise that those in command from Hitler right down to Himmlers eventual realisation that the war was turning against them a dramatic escelation in gassing took place until mass shootings were the norm and corpses were burnt round the clock in open pits.

At the height of the liquidation Berkenhau had over ten ovens working night and day resulting in a massive escalation of gassings.In early 1944,10,000 prisoners were murdered every day and there were sufficient ovens to cope with the huge number of bodies.

Filip was there as all this was going on and later as the mass of bodies became too overwhelming to cope with it was the Sonderkommandos duty to remove the rotting corpses for disposal in the ovens.

There are certain passages that will really make one think momentarily on the question of mans inhumanity towards his fellow man.

The arrival and first trial of mass gassings where under extream brutality men women and children were forced to undress knowingly they were facing certain death.

Possibly the most heart rending extracts are to be found on page 48 where Filip having discovered the arrival of his father at the camp has to cremate his body after his death from tythus.Fellow workmen working alongside him at the blazing ovens recite a prayer.

The book really brings the true barbarity of camp life to the reader.

The inhumanity of certain Kapos or team leaders given trusted duties by the SS who were extreamly sadistic beating fellow prisoners to death due to anger against what the SS were doing to their fellow countrymen.

Whilst reading the first two chapters one clearly realises these are the genuine testimony of somebody who lived on a daily basis where systematic murder was common place.Unless you witnessed at first hand you couldnot make up such testimony such as these.

As i have already said you can write about this highly documented period in history but unless you were physically there in person to witness these events no amount of research will reveal the actual truth.

This is why Filip Mullers book is so important,as less than a handfull of Sonderkommandos at Auschwitz actually lived to bear witness to their testimony.Every few months new Sonderkommandos were appointed whilst those working at the cremetoria were gassed with other prisoners so that the truth of Genocide was never allowed to escape.Filips survival is the more amazing in that he survived and bared witness to the atrocities.

Unless you were actually there in person you cannot envisage the horrors and brutality of camp guards and SS officers.Muller recounts day to day life within the confines of Auschwitz-Berkenhau like only a fellow prisoner could relate.

His matter of fact account of unimaginable horrors makes compelling reading if not unpleasant reading.He has not withheld any of the material that will disgust or distress us,everything has been accounted for right up to his amazing survival.

As a Sonderkommando he was to some extent safe as his services were of great importance to the camps efficient running.Without him and other workers the mass murder couldnot have taken place at such a large scale.

A book that is extreamly well written by somebody who actually knows what went on within the camp.Few books can bring home the true meaning of genocide as can this one.

If you are looking for great detail on events and life within Hitlers largest death camp then this book will not disappoint.

Brings the Reality of what went on home !, 11 May 2008
I visited Auschwitz earlier this year. I wish I had read this book before I had gone as it really brought home the terrible crimes that went on in this place. If you are interested in Auschwitz then this is a must read !

Gripping, 28 Apr 2008
What an amazing account of the holocaust and believe me I have read a few!
This book gives a gripping account of one mans survival in the death factory that can only be described as hell on earth.
The author is a testimony to courage and mans desire to stay alive at all costs.
Buy this now!

Gone but should not be forgotten, 15 Oct 2008
A fantastic book which everybody should read - we owe it to the people who were wiped out. They lost their lives, but the world lost as much - a brilliant culture and people who really appreciated nature and showed enormous wisdom and magnanimity. In the short time they were allowed to survive alongside the white man they sowed the seeds of the ecology movement, which might help to save the planet. So their lives were not in vain - and they gave us Johnny Depp and Cher.


The Truth Hurts!, 28 Jul 2008
This book makes you ashamed to be a white man, it angers you to hear how the native american indians were treated.

I knew before reading the book that the white man had treated the indians so badly, but I was not ready to read exactly how badly.

As an indian says in the book " They broke all there promises, except one. they promised to take all our land".

My heart goes out to all the native Ameican people.

A Classic, 04 May 2008
This book is a classic and a big inspiration for my own work on the Lakota Sioux and Wounded Knee: They Never Surrendered: The Lakota Sioux Band That Stayed in Canada.

Bury my heart at Wonded Knee - Dee Brown, 23 Oct 2007
An amazing book - amazing for the stories of misery and deprivation heaped on the Native Americans by the civilised white immigrants. It's not a book to sit back with a coffee and enjoy; in fact it made me so sad that I had trouble reading it. As for how well the book 'works' as a read: I found it mainly a collection of stories about specific tribes and families. It's not a connected narrative - it's basically a chronology split into chapters by the individual tribes. Chapters chronologically over-lap. In literary terms I don't think you can sit back and read through easily. This is not a criticism but I found it more of a reference type work and one where you can easily dip in to. No disputing that it's facts are awful but it's essential we read the history of white colonisation of the USA, Australia and other places and I hope we learn from the many mistakes.

Truth and historical fact, painful and compelling, 28 Jul 2007
I'm quite an emotional person, but this book angered me and hurt me in equal measure throughout, so much so, that its probably the most emotional account of historical significance I have ever read. I have cried throughout.

I first came across the book in 1982, when a science teacher of mine brought it into class after an American holiday. He smuggled it out of the States, he claimed, and its story touched me then. I didn't read much then, but now I have my own copy, it touches me more deeply than I could ever have imagined. Its a difficult and upsetting read.

Genocide, or attempted genocide is something civilised people simply do not do. But what Dee Brown captures in all too few words is genocide on a brutally wide scale, by a supposedly civilised nation. Its possibly more shocking than the treatment of black people in pioneer America.

The stories are heart rending and made me feel ashamed to be descended from the kinds of people that make this book so shocking.

I once saw a series on the televison called How The West Was Lost, and this book explains in graphic detail what that series shied away from. Here are the well known names from American Indian history, but also names not so well known. Long forgotten by outsiders, they crop again and again to remind the reader that the so-called Indian Wars were not simply personalities matched against each other, but horrificly planned exterminations.

It is said that history is written by those who hang heroes, Dee Brown has written a history of the hanged.

Simple but elegantly written, 20 Nov 2008
Obama completely embraces the importance of effective communication as reflected on this book. I like the part where he realized how important is saying the right words and get the people's undivided attention to what he is saying.

Best Book I've read in 10 yrs., 20 Nov 2008
He describes his childhood to manhood in such a sensitive & interesting way. An honest & frank look at race issues that he had to consider due to his mixed race & ancestry. Until I'd read the book, I hadn't realised how deep he was. I Highly Recommend this book! Once I started it , I then looked forward to my next train journeys, to get the next instalment. And its now solved my Xmas gift ideas! I'm buying 10 x copies for friends & family. Great Writer!

Touching and sincere, 16 Nov 2008
This book was written so beutifully, that even the most mundane information evokes emotions that can't be explained. The chapter in which he describes his only memories of his father from about age ten is the part that really got me. Obama shares the memory of the one and only time his father taught him to dance. "Come Barry,my father said. "You will learn from the master" And suddenly his slender body was swaying back and forth, the lush sound was rising, his arms were swinging...." I became teary eyed while reading that part on the tube on the way to a job interview. I felt sorry that this young boy held onto all that he could of his father. Obama goes onto describe many years of his child and adult life. This is a must read for book fans, even if Obama hadn't become the first black American president he was still one hell of a writer.

Moving,engaging and inspiring, 15 Nov 2008
I have just finished President elect Obama's book. I could not put it down,and could not believe it was written by a politician.

He gives an honest account of his journey in