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Arab Folklore: A Handbook
The Arab world is constantly in the news. This book gives students and general readers an introduction to Arab culture by surveying the folklore of the region. The volume defines and classifies different types of folklore and provides a wide range of examples and texts. It looks at the critical and scholarly response to Arab folklore and the place of Arab folklore in contemporary culture. Included are references to numerous print and electronic works for further reading.
The Arab world is constantly in the news, and students and general readers need to become familiar with Arab culture. Central to any society are the beliefs and customs held dear by the people. In examining Arab folklore, this book provides a fundamental understanding of the ways of the Arab world. In doing so, it helps readers appreciate Arab culture and gain insight into one of the world's most politically and economically important regions.
Arab folklore is exotic to most students, and this volume begins by defining and classifying different folklore types. It then provides a wide range of examples and texts related to Arab folklore. It surveys the critical and scholarly response to Arab folklore and discusses the importance of Arab folklore to popular culture. The volume closes with a bibliography of print and electronic sources for further reading.
The Arab world is constantly in the news, and students and general readers need to become familiar with Arab culture. Central to any society are the beliefs and customs held dear by the people. In examining Arab folklore, this book provides a fundamental understanding of the ways of the Arab world. In doing so, it helps readers appreciate Arab culture and gain insight into one of the world's most politically and economically important regions.
Arab folklore is exotic to most students, and this volume begins by defining and classifying different folklore types. It then provides a wide range of examples and texts related to Arab folklore. It surveys the critical and scholarly response to Arab folklore and discusses the importance of Arab folklore to popular culture. The volume closes with a bibliography of print and electronic sources for further reading.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published September 30, 2007
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June 24, 2013Reynolds, D. F. (2007). Arab folklore: a handbook. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press.
Citation by: Sam Northern
Type of Reference: Handbook
Call Number: 398.2
Content/Scope: This book gives students and general readers an introduction to Arab culture by surveying the folklore of the region. The volume defines and classifies different types of folklore and provides a wide range of examples and texts. This volume surveys the critical and scholarly response to Arab folklore and discusses the importance of Arab folklore to popular culture.
Accuracy/Authority/Bias: The publishing company for this book, Greenwood Press, prints a number of handbooks on folklore. This book not only examines the folk narratives of the region, it also includes poetry, music, art, customs, and traditions. The author, Reynolds, has considerable experience in this area, having lived in the Middle East and conducted research there. He also provides a review of the scholarship and of the approaches to studying folklore.
Arrangement/Presentation: This 272 page reference item includes several black-and-white illustrations which enhances this guide of Arab culture. This volume provides a wide range of examples and texts of Arab folklore.
Relation to other works: There are numerous handbooks on literature and folklore; this title targets works from the Arab world which is often misunderstood or unrepresented.
Accessibility/Diversity: In examining Arab folklore, this book provides readers with an understanding of the ways of the Arab world. In doing so, it helps readers appreciate Arab culture and gain insight into one of the world's most politically and economically important regions. This handbook on Arab folklore includes a bibliography of print and electronic sources for further reading.
Cost: $55.00
Professional Review: Rice, L. (2008). Arab Folklore: A Handbook. Middle East Journal, 62(3), 534-535.
Citation by: Sam Northern
Type of Reference: Handbook
Call Number: 398.2
Content/Scope: This book gives students and general readers an introduction to Arab culture by surveying the folklore of the region. The volume defines and classifies different types of folklore and provides a wide range of examples and texts. This volume surveys the critical and scholarly response to Arab folklore and discusses the importance of Arab folklore to popular culture.
Accuracy/Authority/Bias: The publishing company for this book, Greenwood Press, prints a number of handbooks on folklore. This book not only examines the folk narratives of the region, it also includes poetry, music, art, customs, and traditions. The author, Reynolds, has considerable experience in this area, having lived in the Middle East and conducted research there. He also provides a review of the scholarship and of the approaches to studying folklore.
Arrangement/Presentation: This 272 page reference item includes several black-and-white illustrations which enhances this guide of Arab culture. This volume provides a wide range of examples and texts of Arab folklore.
Relation to other works: There are numerous handbooks on literature and folklore; this title targets works from the Arab world which is often misunderstood or unrepresented.
Accessibility/Diversity: In examining Arab folklore, this book provides readers with an understanding of the ways of the Arab world. In doing so, it helps readers appreciate Arab culture and gain insight into one of the world's most politically and economically important regions. This handbook on Arab folklore includes a bibliography of print and electronic sources for further reading.
Cost: $55.00
Professional Review: Rice, L. (2008). Arab Folklore: A Handbook. Middle East Journal, 62(3), 534-535.
February 8, 2016
This book is a remarkably detailed overview of the folklore of the Arabs, touching on materials from Jewish and Christian communities in the Arab world as well as those of Muslims. Topics that are covered include poetry (competative, mournful, epic), folktales, moral tales, personal narratives, lullabies, music performances, vernacular archetecture, eating habits, among many other things. This book mainly explores the surfaces of these things, however, as Arab folklore is such an expansive field, though several pages of works are listed for further exploration. All in all, a great and flavorful introduction to Arab traditions.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews