The Colonial Present: Afghanistan, Palestine, Iraq

By Christopher Ed. Gregory, Derek Gregory, Christopher Ed. Gregory

Book Overview

In this powerful and passionate critique of the 'war on terror' in Afghanistan and its extensions into Palestine and Iraq, Derek Gregory traces the long history of British and American involvements in the Middle East and shows how colonial power continues to cast long shadows over our own present. Argues the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11 activated a series of political and cultural responses that were profoundly colonial in nature. The first analysis of the "war on terror" to connect events in Afghanistan, Palestine, and Iraq. Traces the connections between geopolitics and the lives of ordinary people. Richly illustrated and packed with empirical detail.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1577180909
• ISBN13: 9781577180906
• Release Date: July 2004
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
• Length: 367 Pages
• Weight: 1.27 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.1" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

A Must-Read

Gregory's powerful and sobering critique of U.S. policy in Afghanistan, Israel/Palestine, and Iraq is a brutally accurate and important analysis. For any American reader molded by the jingoistic mainstream media of the U.S., The Colonial Present undoubtedly comes as a harsh reality shock. Gregory slices right through the righteous façade of policy makers who claim to go to war in the Middle East for the sake of freedom and democracy. More importantly, he exposes the unjust policies of colonialism that have generated in the past - and continue to generate today - Islamic anger toward the U.S. Understanding Gregory is essential to extinguishing the `war on terror' at its roots and establishing peaceful relations with the Middle East. For this reason The Colonial Present is "a `must read' for all those concerned for peace and justice in our time" (David Harvey on the cover of The Colonial Present).

Excellent Book

Gregory does a great job of connecting geographical concepts to recent conflicts in the Middle East, and while it is academically geared, The Colonial Present is very accessible for the average reader. While I don't necessarily agree with his argument on Israel, he is very convincing. A must read for anyone interested in the Middle East or geography; really every American should read this.