Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Get started
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Listen to the Intro
Orientalism summary
Western Conceptions of the Orient
19 mins
Brief summary
'Orientalism' by Edward W. Said is a critique of Western construction of the Orient as a place of mystery and exoticism. It explores the discourse and practice of Orientalism in literature, academia, and politics, exposing its role in perpetuating colonialism and imperialism.
Table of Contents
Orientalism
Summary of 8 key ideas
Audio & text in the Blinkist app
Key idea 1 of 8
Orientalism is a Western creation that deals with a fabricated concept: the Orient.
When you see a travel commercial for an Asian or Middle Eastern country, how is the country depicted? Perhaps the ad displays images and ideas of exoticism and seduction that exude a sense of geographical and historical distance. Despite there being an outdated feel to such images, they continue to be commonplace today, and these depictions can be linked to a body of Western knowledge called Orientalism.
Orientalism constructed a specific image of the East – known as the Orient – as a means to approach it. Modern Orientalism was conceived during Napoleon’s expedition to, and invasion of Egypt in 1798. In addition to his army, Napoleon had brought along civilian scholars, scientists and researchers who would produce a 23-volume encyclopedia on the country, entitled Description of Egypt.
This team of researchers was responsible for defining Orientalism, and the “experts” on the East were known as Orientalists.
This concept was fleshed out by other colonial powers, most notably Britain during the 19th century, and was the lens through which the West viewed the entire Orient, which was considered to include the Middle East, Asia and the Far East.
The resulting image of the East was an exotic, erotic and irrational one, while Eastern stereotypes found in travel journals, newspapers and scientific publications began to proliferate. These presented
the Orient as exotic and unfamiliar; as one equally strange and foreign entity, regardless of country, people or culture; and as the place where unseemly passions could run amok.
Eroticism was viewed as the emblem of the Orient, with harems viewed as places where the “lustful Oriental” could be found.
Finally, the people of the Orient were perceived as irrational and incapable of logic; the accompanying assumption was that the opposite of these traits were considered Western traits.
Want to see all full key ideas from Orientalism?
Key ideas in Orientalism
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is Orientalism about?
Orientalism (1978) shines a light on the often unquestioned assumptions about Eastern civilizations that are persistently prevalent in the West. By unearthing and analyzing the West’s biases, Edward Said aims to undermine Orientalism’s influence on how the West perceives and interacts with the East.
Orientalism Review
Orientalism (1978) is a thought-provoking book that analyzes the complex relationship between the West and the Middle East. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- It exposes the deep-rooted biases and misconceptions that have shaped Western understanding of the East, challenging common stereotypes and fostering critical thinking.
- By examining historical, cultural, and political factors, the book offers a nuanced perspective on Orientalism, shedding light on power dynamics and Eurocentrism.
- Engaging and thoroughly researched, it invites readers to reflect on their own assumptions and encourages empathy, making it a captivating and enlightening exploration of intercultural relations.
Best quote from Orientalism
Orientalism is the discipline by which the Orient was (and is) approached systematically, as a topic of learning, discovery and practice.
—Edward W. Said
Who should read Orientalism?
- Anyone fascinated by non-Western civilizations
- Anyone curious about the origins of modern international politics
- Anyone interested in the history of colonialism and its remaining traces today
Categories with Orientalism
Book summaries like Orientalism
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
The Consolations of Philosophy
Alain De Botton
A Guide to Finding Wisdom and Comfort in Life
21 min
4.1
Who We Are and How We Got Here
David Reich
Ancient DNA and the New Science of the Human Past
28 min
4.3
The Job-Ready Guide
Anastasia de Waal
Employability Skills and Strategies for Career Success
24 min
4.1
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
37 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
Orientalism FAQs
What is the main message of Orientalism?
The main message of Orientalism is to critically examine Western perceptions and representations of the East.
How long does it take to read Orientalism?
The reading time for Orientalism varies depending on the reader, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in 15 minutes.
Is Orientalism a good book? Is it worth reading?
Orientalism is a thought-provoking read offering valuable insights on Western misconceptions of the East. Worth considering.
Who is the author of Orientalism?
The author of Orientalism is Edward W. Said.
What to read after Orientalism?
If you're wondering what to read next after Orientalism, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Empire by Niall Ferguson
- A Peace to End All Peace by David Fromkin
- Civilization by Niall Ferguson
- Israel by Daniel Gordis
- Palestine by Nur Masalha
- The Silk Roads by Peter Frankopan
- The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
- The Road to Unfreedom by Timothy Snyder
- The Two Fundamental Problems of Ethics by Arthur Schopenhauer
- How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie