Description
Book SynopsisAn invaluable investigation into contemporary Lebanese culture and society by the foremost scholar on Lebanese politics and society.
Trade ReviewEndorsements: 'This is a skilled sociological reading of contemporary Lebanon by a master of the discipline. Khalaf offers a penetrating critique of Lebanon's society.' Augustus Richard Norton - Boston University and University of Oxford 'A timely and provocative reading of Lebanon's postwar malaise. Samir Khalaf offers an empirically rich and theoretically broad survey of Lebanese society.' Craig Larkin, University of Exeter 'This book re-affirms Khalaf's stature with its keen observations, eloquent prose and impassioned arguments about the escapist and narcissistic maladies afflicting post-war Lebanon.' Akram Khater, North Carolina State University Reviews: 'Khalaf 's study is a rich source of stimulating thoughts, which poses new and old questions. Avoiding facile answers, he guides the reader towards a deeper understanding of Lebanese society and, in general, of contemporary life in the Middle East.' Filippo Dionigi (LSE), International Affairs
Table of ContentsContents Preface by Ghassan Hage 7 Prologue 13 1. On Protracted and Displaced Collective Violence 31 2. The Spaces of War and Postwar: Reflections on Collective Memory, Identity and Nostalgia 75 3. Consumerism in a Traumatized Society 115 4. Touting Luxury, Sensuality and Image 161 5. The Allure of the Spectacle and Kitsch 210 6. Prospects for Transforming Consumers Into Citizens 240 Epilogue 267 Bibliography 275 Acknowledgments 287 Index 289
