القاهرة تاريخ حاضرة

by André Raymond, لطيف فرج (Translator)

The extraordinary tapestry of Cairo’s past and present comes vividly to life in this magisterial study by André Raymond, arguably the premier social historian of the Arab world. The most deeply observed and historically nuanced account ever given of the greatest Arab city, this book shows us Cairo from the glimmer of its beginnings in the Arab conquest of Egypt in 640 through its transformation into the modern center of Middle Eastern life today. There are the Fatimids, the Mamluks, and the Ottomans, the invasions, dynastic changes, and religious conflicts that one after another altered and shaped Cairo’s destiny. And here, alongside rulers and religious leaders, are the merchants and artisans who have given Cairene life its distinctive character over time. Raymond depicts life in Cairo through the centuries, chronicling the coming of European influence, the vagaries of social evolution, and the development of economic structure and urban design. With its splendid illustrations and maps, and its meticulous attention to the topography and archaeology of the city, this book will prove as valuable to the serious traveler as to observers of Middle Eastern history and society. It stands as the definitive work on Cairo, unparalleled in scope, depth, and detail.

André Raymond was director of the French Institute for Arab Studies in Damascus and of the Institute for Research and Study on the Arab and Islamic World in Aix-en-Provence. He is professor emeritus at the University of Provence and the author of numerous books.

Genres: History, Egypt, Nonfiction, Middle East

389 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Bean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read it in the original French. Excellent book for reference info on Cairo from the Arab invasion of Egypt to modern-day. However, because the book is entirely focused on the city's construction, administration, and structure, and speaks of its people and leaders only when necessary, it is EXTRAORDINARILY dry and boring to follow. I feel a lot of the important facts and figures went in one eye then out the other. I will keep on my shelf and use the book for reference when I am delving into more interesting books that have an actual narrative my brain can follow. I feel like I will only be able to absorb said facts and figures when I pair this as a reference work with more interesting history books.

[Rana Amgad · Rating 4 out of 5]

good and useful book

[Luiggi Carlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The reviews were right unfortunately. It is very boring. I wish it focused on people and stories more.

[Sean Sullivan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Its amazing to me that a city with a history so rich, that spans such important events in history of the world can be turned into such a boring book. I think Raymond is aping Braudel in this book with his focus on the economics and geographical changes that happened in Cairo’s long, long history, but he fails to use these details to capture the sense of a place, or a an idea. Instead we just get a laundry list of how many single family homes there were in Fustat, followed by a simplistic listing of the how many people of what religions lived in which neighborhoods… boring Sydney, bloody fucking boring.

Raymond almost never bothers with the big events in history. There is no real discussion of the end of French rule. No explanation of rise of Muhammad Ali, and Nasser’s revolution takes up half a page, before we head back into lists of demographics of different neighborhoods. Maybe Raymond assumes his reader already knows all about the revolution and is more interested in where the tanneries were location in medieval Cairo. But I don’t know everything about the revolution, and Raymond’s book failed to make this and many other events in Cairo’s history any clearer. Avoid this one, it isn’t worth the time.

[Courtney Homer · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of an architectural and topographical history of Cairo, the book lacked a human, social history. At the same time, however, it gives you a good feel for each dynasty and their impact on the city from 700 AD to present. The scope of the book does not touch on why each dynasty changed, however, so each chapter feels a little disjointed. The author's use of primary sources is impressive, although it gets a little statistic-heavy, especially at the end. In general, a good overview of the city's changes.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

A comprehensive, expansive, history of the great city of Cairo. It is truly a history and not very concerned with contemporary, or even modern, developments but for centuries past, it probably cannot be beat. It could benefit from more illustrations in places and more social history over the political, but Cairo's history is so very long and vast you can't get everything in one book, certainly.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

A comprehensive, expansive, history of the great city of Cairo. It is truly a history and not very concerned with contemporary, or even modern, developments but for centuries past, it probably cannot be beat. It could benefit from more illustrations in places and more social history over the political, but Cairo's history is so very long and vast you can't get everything in one book, certainly.

[Rime · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing research and very pleasurable style

[Glenn Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The history of Cairo is deep, interesting and exciting. Influenced by many cultures, leaders and eras, this city has grown from a small fortress to a beaming metropolis.