Simple Gestures : A Cultural Journey into the Middle East

by Rugh, Andrea B.

• ISBN13: 9781597974349
• ISBN10: 159797434X
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2009-11-24
• Publisher: Potomac Books Inc

Summary

The Greater Middle East poses major challenges for the United States. Yet despite decades of intense involvement in Middle Eastern affairs, most Americans still know little about the cultures of the region. Simple Gesturesdescribes one American's efforts over forty years to better understand the society in the countries where she lived and worked: Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. In her multiple roles, Andrea Rugh came to know people from many walks of life. As a mother, she became friendly with local families. As the wife of a diplomat, who later became an ambassador to two countries, she came to know social elites in the Gulf. As a professional anthropologist, she spent time with people from parts of society who are usually inaccessible to foreigners. Culture is revealed most clearly in the way people interact with one another'”in the way they treat the poor, the elderly, and women; how they rear and educate their children; and in the way they react to a foreigner suddenly thrust in their midst. Describing the satisfactions, sudden insights, challenges, and miscommunications that come from being immersed in a foreign culture, Rugh brings to life on the page the places and the people she met along the way.

Table of Contents

Map of the Middle East and Southwest Asia	p. viii
Preface	p. ix
Foreshadowings (1945-1964)	p. 1
Slow Beginnings: Beirut, Lebanon (1964-1965, 1970), and Cairo, Egypt (1965-1966)	p. 9
Moving Ahead: Jidda, Saudi Arabia (1966-1967)	p. 27
Into the Interior: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (1967-1969)	p. 45
Rima: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (1967-1969)	p. 63
Familiar Territory: Jidda Again (1969-1971)	p. 79
Retooling: Home Leave (1971-1976)	p. 93
Second Chance: Cairo Again (1976-1978)	p. 103
Immersion: Bulaq, Egypt (1976-1978)	p. 121
A New Direction: Cairo After Graduate School (1978-1981)	p. 137
Change: Abdul Wahhab and the Religious Shaikhs	p. 153
Finding a Niche: Syria (1981-1984)	p. 169
Roadblocks: Sana, Yemen (1984-1987)	p. 187
Bridges: Yemen (1987) and Pakistan (1987-1994)	p. 207
On the Road to Reform: Pakistan (1990-1994)	p. 225
New Worlds: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (1992-1995)	p. 245
Ultimate Destination: Afghanistan Under the Taliban (1998, 2000)	p. 263
Finish Line: Afghanistan After the Invasion (2001-2000)	p. 281
Reflections	p. 297
About the Author	p. 311
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.