Egypt: British Colony, Imperial Capital

This book provides a comprehensive portrait of the British colony in Egypt, challenging Edward W. Said's classic Orientalism by revealing both dominant and muted discourses through private papers, letters, memoirs, official texts, histories, and government reports. It explores the diverse temperament and lifestyles of the colonials, often deeply rooted in the Egyptian setting.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 05 July 2019
Publisher: Manchester University Press

This book is a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of the British colony in Egypt, offering a fresh perspective on the examples of colonial cultures that are famously documented in Edward W. Said's renowned work, Orientalism. By challenging Said's analysis, which claimed to represent only the dominant discourse in imperial and colonial narratives, the book employs a diverse range of sources, including private papers, letters, memoirs, official texts, histories, and government reports, to unveil both the dominant and subdued discourses prevalent in the colonial era. While imperial sentiment undoubtedly shaped the standards and established the image of a ruling caste culture, the examination of colonial sentiment reveals a more complex and diverse colony in terms of temperament and lifestyles, often deeply intertwined with the Egyptian context.

The method employed in this book involves providing biographical accounts of a wide array of colonials, as well as examining their sometimes conflicting reactions to specific colonial locations, historical junctures, and pivotal events such as invasions, wars, and grand imperial projects, including the construction of the Alexandria municipality. By delving into the personal experiences and perspectives of these colonials, the book offers a nuanced and multifaceted understanding of the colonial era, shedding light on the complex interplay between imperial power, local cultures, and the individuals who inhabited the colonial landscape.

Overall, this book is a valuable contribution to the study of colonialism and imperialism, providing a fresh and insightful perspective on the British colony in Egypt and its place within the broader context of colonial history.

Weight: 400g
Dimension: 156 x 232 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526139344