Review
'One of the many merits of this book is that it tries, as far as possible, to let the Arabs provide the narrative. The narrative comes partly from Whitaker's encounters as a traveller interested in the Middle East and later as a journalist reporting for the Guardian newspaper; partly from written sources; and also from a series of lengthy interviews conducted especially for this book. Listening to the Arabs makes a refreshing change from the all too common habit of western pundits of pontificating about the Middle East and lecturing to the Arabs. Whitaker has given us a lively, highly readable and illuminating survey of the countless things that are wrong with the Middle East today. What emerges clearly from his survey is that the root problem, at least in the Arab world, is the lack of freedom. He concludes that in order to achieve peace, prosperity and full participation in the global economy, the Arabs should embrace far-reaching social, economic and political reform. Few would disagree with this conclusion but one has to be an incorrigible optimist to expect real change to take place in the foreseeable future.' --Avi Shalaim The Guardian Review 28th November 2009
(Should) be required reading by Arab elites from the Atlantic to the Gulf... This book will anger some and excite others. It is one of the most ambitious attempts in recent years by a western writer to analyse what is really wrong with the Middle East.' --Patrick Seale, Al Hayat
'A passionate call for political and social change in Arab countries... and a stern critique of the status quo.' Jeremy Bowen, BBC Middle East Editor 'This is an interesting and informative book, and a passionate attack on the corrosive effects of inequality.' --Sholto Byrnes, New Statesman
(Should) be required reading by Arab elites from the Atlantic to the Gulf... This book will anger some and excite others. It is one of the most ambitious attempts in recent years by a western writer to analyse what is really wrong with the Middle East.' --Patrick Seale, Al Hayat
'A passionate call for political and social change in Arab countries... and a stern critique of the status quo.' Jeremy Bowen, BBC Middle East Editor 'This is an interesting and informative book, and a passionate attack on the corrosive effects of inequality.' --Sholto Byrnes, New Statesman
Product Description
The problems in the Middle East run deeper than dictatorship. Inspired by the popular uprisings that overthrew the presidents of Tunisia and Egypt, Arabs across the Middle East are demanding change. But achieving real freedom will involve more than the removal of a few dictators. Looking beyond the turmoil reported on our TV screens, Guardian journalist Brian Whitaker examines the 'freedom deficit' that affects Arabs in their daily lives: their struggles against corruption, discrimination and bureaucracy, and the stifling authoritarianism that pervades homes, schools and mosques as well as presidential palaces. Drawing on a wealth of new research and wide-ranging interviews, Whitaker analyses the views of people living in the region and argues that in order to achieve peace, prosperity and full participation in today's global economy, Arabs should embrace not only political change but far-reaching social and cultural change as well. 'A passionate call for political and social change in Arab countries' Jeremy Bowen 'A call to arms for Arab citizens' International Affairs 'A lively, highly readable and illuminating survey of the countless things that are wrong with the Middle East today' Avi Shlaim, Guardian 'This is a writer willing to rattle a few cages... Detailed and well-documented' Huffington Post '[Should] be required reading by Arab elites from the Atlantic to the Gulf' Patrick Seale, Al Hayat 'Whitaker spares no criticism of the region's governments' Egypt Today 'Outstanding and credible' Jordan Times
