The Arab Mind

Published in 1983 and revised in 2006, Raphael Patai's The Arab Mind has been recognized as one of the seminal works in the field of Middle Eastern studies. In this penetrating analysis, Patai presents a thorough understanding of Arab society by discussing the upbringing of a typical Arab boy or girl, their concern for honor and courage, their tendency toward extremes of behavior, and their ambivalent attitudes toward the West. Chapters are devoted to the influence of Islam; sexual mores; Arabic language and art; Bedouin values; Arab nationalism; and the pervasive influence of Westernization. With a new foreword by Norvell B. DeAtkine, Director of Middle East Studies at the JFK Special Warfare Center and School, Fort Bragg, N. C. , this book unravels the complexities of Arab traditions, so you can gain authentic revelations about their culture and character.