What do you think?
Rate this book
Histoire du Maroc
Qui pense Maroc est partagé entre des images contrastées : les cités arabisées du Nord et les casbahs berbères du Sud, les musulmans et les juifs, les docteurs de la Loi et les saints. Pour tenir ensemble ces représentations, Daniel Rivet pose les questions primordiales en remontant loin en arrière dans le passé : le Maroc, depuis quand ? la pérennité de la monarchie, pourquoi ? la cohabitation de styles culturels aux antipodes, comment ? Il scrute les étapes de la formation d’un État, puis d’une nation en faisant appel aux forces profondes modelant cette entité émergée sous notre haut Moyen Age, et qui se cristallise à partir du moment où l’Andalousie échappe au Maghreb et où l’Afrique du Nord passe aux Ottomans à l’est d’Oujda. Nous voyons ressortir les variations de cet équilibre si instable au fil des siècles, jusqu’au Maroc à l’orée du XXIe siècle. Les paysages historiques se succèdent, mais aussi les « grands hommes », dont Ibn Tumart, Ahmad al-Mansur, Lyautey et Mohammed V, sans oublier les destins individuels ordinaires (pâtres guerriers du Maroc central, bourgeois marchands et savants de Fès aux XVIIº et XVIIIº siècles, femmes rurales et jeunesse indocile des grandes villes au XXº siècle) car, selon le mot de Paul Veyne : expliquer plus, c’est raconter mieux.
- GenresHistory
410 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 31, 2012
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
February 9, 2025
Daniel Rivet's Histoire du Maroc is undeniably informative and provides a broad overview of Moroccan history, making it accessible to readers who may be unfamiliar with the subject. However, the book has significant limitations that detract from its overall value, particularly for Arab or Moroccan readers who are likely seeking a more nuanced and culturally grounded perspective.
One of the main issues with Rivet's work is its heavy reliance on orientalist authors and frameworks. Orientalism, as a scholarly tradition, often perpetuates Eurocentric and exoticized views of non-Western societies, and this influence is evident in Rivet's narrative. Authors like Marçais and Arkoun, whose works are cited throughout, are emblematic of this problematic approach. Their interpretations of Moroccan history and culture often lack the depth and sensitivity required to accurately represent the complexities of the region. For readers who are already familiar with these biases, Rivet's reliance on such sources can be frustrating and alienating.
Moreover, the book often feels less like an original contribution to the field and more like a synthesis or translation of existing works, particularly those of Abdallah Laroui, a prominent Moroccan historian. While synthesizing existing scholarship can be valuable, Rivet's approach sometimes lacks critical engagement with primary sources. Instead, he frequently relies on secondary or even tertiary resources, which weakens the scholarly rigor of the work. This reliance on secondhand information can lead to oversimplifications or inaccuracies, further limiting the book's usefulness for readers seeking a deeper understanding of Moroccan history.
For Arab or Moroccan readers, these shortcomings are particularly glaring. The book does not adequately center Moroccan voices or perspectives, nor does it engage meaningfully with the rich historiography produced by Moroccan scholars. Instead, it often feels like a retelling of Moroccan history through a Eurocentric lens, which can be alienating for readers who are looking for a more authentic and culturally resonant account of their own heritage.
One of the main issues with Rivet's work is its heavy reliance on orientalist authors and frameworks. Orientalism, as a scholarly tradition, often perpetuates Eurocentric and exoticized views of non-Western societies, and this influence is evident in Rivet's narrative. Authors like Marçais and Arkoun, whose works are cited throughout, are emblematic of this problematic approach. Their interpretations of Moroccan history and culture often lack the depth and sensitivity required to accurately represent the complexities of the region. For readers who are already familiar with these biases, Rivet's reliance on such sources can be frustrating and alienating.
Moreover, the book often feels less like an original contribution to the field and more like a synthesis or translation of existing works, particularly those of Abdallah Laroui, a prominent Moroccan historian. While synthesizing existing scholarship can be valuable, Rivet's approach sometimes lacks critical engagement with primary sources. Instead, he frequently relies on secondary or even tertiary resources, which weakens the scholarly rigor of the work. This reliance on secondhand information can lead to oversimplifications or inaccuracies, further limiting the book's usefulness for readers seeking a deeper understanding of Moroccan history.
For Arab or Moroccan readers, these shortcomings are particularly glaring. The book does not adequately center Moroccan voices or perspectives, nor does it engage meaningfully with the rich historiography produced by Moroccan scholars. Instead, it often feels like a retelling of Moroccan history through a Eurocentric lens, which can be alienating for readers who are looking for a more authentic and culturally resonant account of their own heritage.
Displaying 1 of 1 review