In Praise of Books - A Cultural History of Cairo's Middle Class, Sixteenth to the Eighteenth Century

A landmark volume that reveals a lively middle-class Egyptian culture during the first three centuries of Ottoman rule--a major departure from traditional studies focusing on the ruling/elite class rather than the popular masses. In fine detail, the author explores economic influences on culture during periods of plenty and poverty. She examines the bond between commerce and escalating literacy via the building of schools, the availability of cheap paper, and the proliferation of books. And she assesses coffeehouses, storytellers, and phantom plays as a principal circuit for the spread of oral middle-class culture. Drawing on published and unpublished sources, she unveils a full-fledged Cairene middle-class culture that bridges the gap between the salons ("majalis) of the elite and the common people. A major contribution to Egypt's cultural record, this book sets a high standard for work on the history of the Middle East.

About the author

Nelly Hanna is professor and chair of the Department of Arabic Studies at the American University of Cairo. She is the author of a number of books, including Making Big Money in 1600: The Life and Times of Ismai'l Abu Taqiyya, Egyptian Merchant, also published by Syracuse University Press.

Summary

In fine detail, Hanna explores economic influences on culture during periods of plenty and poverty during the first three centuries of Ottoman rule. She unveils a fully-fledged Cairene middle-class culture that bridges the gap between the salons (majalis) of the elite and the common people.

Product details

• Authors: Nelly Hanna
• Publisher: Syracuse University Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 01.10.2003
• EAN: 9780815630364
• ISBN: 978-0-8156-3036-4
• No. of pages: 236
• Dimensions: 154 mm x 233 mm x 13 mm
• Weight: 313 g
• Series: Middle East Studies Beyond Dom; Middle East Studies Beyond Dom; Middle East Studies Beyond Dominant Paradigms
• Subjects: Non-fiction book > History > Miscellaneous; Social sciences, law, business > Sociology > General, dictionaries; Ägypten, HISTORY / Middle East / Egypt (see also Ancient / Egypt), HISTORY / Social History, History - General History