New Book, New Series: Newmag Presents Edward Said’s Groundbreaking Work “Orientalism” (Trailer)

Originally published in 1978, “Orientalism” critically examines the West’s “Eurocentric prejudice against Arab-Islamic peoples and cultures.” Said’s work exposes how deeply ingrained, romanticized, and often false perceptions of Asia and the Middle East have shaped Western literature, scholarship, and policies—ultimately justifying colonial and imperial ambitions.

The book addresses key questions such as:

• How did the West define the East as the "Orient"—the “Other”?
• Why does the West resist understanding the East on its own terms?
• How has the West historically perceived the East?
• Why does the West look down on the Near and Middle East?

Edward Said, often described as the scholar who “changed the face of intellectual discourse in the Arab world,” was born in Jerusalem, raised in Egypt, and educated in the United States at Princeton, Harvard, and Columbia. Initially focused on literature, music, and art, he avoided direct involvement in Middle Eastern politics until the 1967 Six-Day War. Seeing the devastating territorial losses of his people, he became one of the most prominent advocates for Palestinian self-determination in the United States.

At first, Said worked alongside Yasser Arafat, supporting the “two-state” solution, but he later distanced himself, becoming one of Arafat’s most vocal critics. In 1994, while much of the world celebrated the Oslo Accords as a breakthrough for Israeli-Palestinian peace, Said was one of the few to warn against its flaws. “Arafat isolated himself, made serious mistakes,” he stated, arguing that Palestinians could not secure peace through concessions alone.

An intellectual giant and a fierce critic of imperialism, Said was closely monitored by the FBI, which kept a 238-page file on him. Even Columbia University, where he was a professor, faced pressure to distance itself from him but refused to do so.

Edward Said passed away in 2003 at the age of 67 after a long battle with leukemia. Two decades after his death, the ongoing struggles of the Palestinian people underscore the relevance of his work more than ever.

“Orientalism” is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the deep cultural, political, and ideological conflicts shaping the modern world.

The book’s publication was made possible through the support of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation. As part of the Calouste Gulbenkian Translation Series, Armenian readers now have access to this revolutionary work.

The presentation of “Orientalism” will take place at the “New Thought x New Translation” Gulbenkian & Newmag book forum on March 27–28 at the Holiday Inn Yerevan, Armavir Hall.