Power, Politics, and Culture: Interviews with Edward W. Said

This important and compelling collection of interviews conducted with Edward Said over the last three decades reveals the eloquent and unique voice of a fascinating figure, who is not only an outstanding cultural and political critic but also, as Nadine Gordimer has written, “among the truly important intellects of our century.”

In these twenty-eight interviews gathered by Gauri Viswanathan, Professor of English at Columbia University, from publications both here and abroad—Europe, India, Pakistan, the Arab world, and Israel—Said addresses an extraordinary range of subjects, political, artistic, and personal. The passion he feels for literature, music, history, and politics is powerfully conveyed in these interviews, which include Said’s views on the role of the critic in society, the origins of Orientalism, musical performance, the importance of teaching, Glenn Gould, Giambattista Vico, Joseph Conrad, Theodor Adorno, the Gulf War, Israel, the Oslo peace accords, the future of Palestine, political correctness and censorship, Saddam Hussein, and the idea of national identity. The scope of the subjects covered confirms what The Washington Post Book World has
stated, that Said “challenges and stimulates our thinking in every area.”

Said speaks with his usual incisiveness and candor, and these interviews show the evolution of his ideas and serve as a complement to his prolific life’s work.