|  |
| Customer Reviews: | | Average Customer Review: ( 8 customer reviews )
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
A Must-Read Adventurous Tale of the Egyptian Culture May 21, 2010
By C. Nealy
The Cairo Chronicles is an adventurous tale of the Egyptian culture as seen through the eyes of an American anthropologist in which readers are engaged through humor and provided an (easy) introduction to the key concepts of anthropology. The reader is immediately drawn into the story via a hilarious dialogue in which the author attempts to explain to her in-laws she is a vegetarian. The author uses humor to lighten the mood and ultimately find some common ground between the two varying cultures. This dialogue assists in educating the reader on what it is like entering a new, or not-so-familiar, country. The book serves as an example of what an anthropologist may come across during fieldwork and expands on the various elements of anthropology: culture, religion, politics, marriage... the list in endless.
What is most unique about this book is the author's ability to incorporate English, Spanish, and Arabic into the chapters. Some of the English words were outside my realm of knowledge and forced me to pick up my Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Spanish and Arabic words woven through the book allows the reader to think further outside the English box and learn a new language. Titles intrigue the reader with clever little phrases you don't understand until you've completed the chapter; for example, Chapter Eight: Nursing 20 Years Olds and Prophets with Beards. Unbeknownst to the reader by merely skimming the title, this chapter is about removing barriers, immersing yourself in the culture, overcoming language obstacles, and ultimately getting people to talk to you.
I read The Cairo Chronicles in conjunction with weekly readings from our course text, Introducing Cultural Anthropology, and was delighted to find the book explained in "Lehman's terms" what the text was attempting (and failing) at. We discussed gender roles and sexuality for about three weeks in class, and thus, the readings went along with the topics accordingly. Although a common theme throughout the book, Chapter 13, Gender, Public Space and Muntaqiba Police Chases, assisted me the most in better understanding these subjects. A discussion of the varying ways of women in Egypt was used to understand gender roles, while examining the abeya and niqab (gown and face covering) gave insight into sexuality (and sexual harassment) in the country.
Comparisons throughout the book assist in comprehending not just the differences between our culture and others, but also the similarities that are often found. Chapter Six, Sex, Love, Marriage and Family, compares polygamy in Egypt and the East to monogamy in the United States and the West. The chapter also identifies the stresses of getting married for women in both countries. In the U.S., although women have careers, they are identified as a wife first. Similarly, in Egypt, marriage is seen as an adult rite of passage and women are thus defined by their marital status.
Religion in Cairo, predominately Islam, has a significant influence on not just marriage, but many aspects of the Egyptian culture; the book identifies such aspects and offers different points of view. The text teaches us about various points of view, known as emic and etic, but The Cairo Chronicles expands on this by analyzing the religious influence in the country. Spoken throughout various chapters in the book, Islam influences the way many Muslims eat, what they wear, and who they marry. The author also goes beyond Muslim ways of life in Egypt and discusses how many religions dictate cultural norms in other countries.
Personal family stories, such as Chapter 12: (Actual) Announcement when Alexandra is born, allow the reader to connect with the author and her family. These chapters show us the real person behind the writing. In my opinion, using this book as an introduction to a cultural anthropology course will help students better understand what they are learning. For those who would be intimidated by another assigned reading, the chapters are short and the book itself is less than 140 pages; not to mention, it's an easy read. The Cairo Chronicles is sarcastic and funny, as well as intriguing and educating. The author captures your attention from page one and doesn't release it until the final chapter.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
AWESOME!!!! May 10, 2011
By LABeason
This book is one of the best books I have ever read. I have read it three times and every time I read it, I catch something new.
Its very entertaining and very funny!!
I highly recommend this book to everyone!!
I give it 10 gold stars!!!!
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Intelligent and Rip-Roaring Fun! Mar 11, 2011
By Cheryl L. Mcknight
"artcheryl"
Absolutely one of the wittiest, most insightful, and humorous books I have read in quite a while. This book is an insider's view of living in Egypt and may help the reader understand why there is so much unrest in Egypt today.
Leslie Lewis is an intelligent and articulate writer and takes the reader on a journey that is not only educational but downright rip-roaring fun!
I would give this book six stars if I could.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Both thoughtful and funny- more than just an ordinary travel memoir! Aug 26, 2010
By JAD
As someone who has very little background knowledge or experience about this part of the world, I appreciated the author's down-to-earth (but not naive!), thoughtful observations and anecdotes that brought this world to life. Her commentary and reflections are intelligent without being over-analytic/jargony, and although she is frank about her political view, she doesn't linger or try to make the story a statement about them. What she does give is a beautifully written, touching and hilarious account of how we try to live with each other, as men and women, as families, as faith communities, as real people with our own individual stories. This is not a story of a woman and her family confront otherness (with adventures/enlightenment ensuing a la eat,pray,love), it is more about the way the author begins as the other herself and gradually learns to be part of a larger human experience through her relationships.
I'd recommend this to anyone who has lived, traveled or worked abroad and who knows that every cultural "adventure" also has a deep and meaningful human side- a wonderful read! (profits go to charity!)
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Inspiring and Thought Provoking Yet Entertaining Jun 02, 2010
By Erika L. Ho
"Mom"
Entertaining & Thought Provoking ~ I had the pleasure of reading this book recently and was amazed at how smoothly it ran me through foreign customs and ideas. I am enlightened and amused at the same time and that is a gift. I highly recommend this book to ALL but especially moms, foreigners (yes that means all of you), dads, multi racial married couples and in-laws! I read a book a week and belong to a strong book club and we will be reading this next! ~ Erika
See all 8 customer reviews on Amazon.com
|
| | |
|
|
