Rhetoric before and beyond the Greeks

by Carol S. Lipson (editor), Roberta A. Binkley (Editor)

Focusing on ancient rhetoric outside of the dominant Western tradition, this collection examines rhetorical practices in Egypt, Mesopotamia, Israel, and China. The book uncovers alternate ways of understanding human behavior and explores how these rhetorical practices both reflected and influenced their cultures. The essays address issues of historiography and raise questions about the application of Western rhetorical concepts to these very different ancient cultures. A chapter on suggestions for teaching each of these ancient rhetorics is included.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

274 pages, Paperback

First published July 15, 2004

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rhetoric before (going back to ancient Mesopotamia) and beyond (China, Egypt) and even within (Rhodian as opposed to Athenian) Greek rhetoric. While this book obviously can't be entirely comprehensive, it's still interesting to see where the bulk of research lies; why so much China and no India? why so much emphasis on women's rhetoric, but so little about plebeian rhetorical work? Still, it was nice to see variety not only in the different rhetorics, but also in the different voices and approaches within comparative rhetoric: there isn't just one take on Assyrian or Chinese ways of rhetoric.

[Emma B · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ideas in this book could change how we study rhetoric, pedagogy, and modern communications. An all-time favorite collection of mine.