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Title: Cairo: The City Victorious
ISBN: 0679767274
Author:
Max Rodenbeck
Publicate Date: 2000-02-22
Publish: 2000-02-22
List Price: $15.95
Average Customer Rating: 4.5
Format: Paperback
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $8.80
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $3.82
Amazon Merchant Price: $10.85
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| Customer Review: |
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1: Absolutely SPECTACULAR
Max Rodenbeck wrote this book as though, he was speaking to me on a cafe, somewhere by the Nile.I am Egyptian, and thought I knew a lot about Cairo, but after reading this, its a shame to say that I learned a plethora of things from Rodenbeck. Every page is filled with information, leaving you wanting more. I love how he doesn't get in the way of telling us about Cairo - I just wonder, how did he find out all those juicy tidbits about Cairo and he isn't even Egyptian nor a true Cairene?! I did not want to finish the book as I would want to learn more about Cairo. Excellent work, would love to see more.
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2: Chatty and reasonably credible history of a city
This is a generally well-written and decently translated history of the Egyptian capital. There is more information and detail than you want at times, but the personal stories and narratives compensate for the over verbiage. Worth reading if you're planning a trip to Cairo.
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3: Not just another travel guide
Max Rodenbeck, who has lived much of his life in Cairo, reveals the city through its long and varied history--from the Creation myth of On to the year 2000 with its "quickening sense that Cairo is on the verge of change." When I finished this book, I felt I understood more about the place and the people, about the evolution of the city through many eras. In the final chapter, writing about the contemporary political situation, Rodenbeck provides a list of the events that point to "looming dangers": "The Iranian revolution and civil war in Algeria, continuing Israeli colonization of the Occupied Territories, the Gulf War, and the arrival of American troops on Arab lands..." With the September 11 and other terrorist attacks around the world, the on-going war in Afghanistan, the American occupation of Iraq, and other events that have further destabilized the region, I wonder what Rodenbeck would now say about the prognosis for this city that both fascinates and irritates him--as only one's home town can.
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4: Not bad but not what i expected
I'll be visiting Cairo next month so i wanted to read something about this city.The book is not bad when it comes to history.The author explains the political,economical and social changes with accuracy and insight.However he lets out,what i believe, important history about the city.He doesnt go into details regarding The Citadel or the islamic buildings in the city.He just mentioned them when it is relevant to the story his telling.I felt that, as i was going to be a first time visitor to the city, i wasnt getting all the neccesary info or inside scoop on the monuments ,buildings and landmarks that makes Cairo a great city.I think the author falls short in this regard.But as an introduction to the city itself is very good and gives color to the account.
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5: Rings true!
As an American ex-pat living in Cairo for the past four years--with all the resultant emotions and biases inherent in that--Rodenbeck's history has taken my somewhat jaded view of Cairo and reinvested it with a sense of awe and appreciation. Three-fourths of the way through the book, I have a long list of sites to visit--places I hadn't heard of, let alone seen--and an increased understanding of this complex city and its contrasts. Rodenbeck fills the book with wonderful bits of trivia ( it was possible in 16th century Cairo to make a living as a professional farter!) to round out his broader explanation of the sweep of Cairene history. Other reviews take him to task for his lack of thoroughness, but that was not his goal. If you're looking for a highly readable and insightful overview of Cairo from the end of the last Ice Age to the present, this is the book!
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