The Islamic Middle East – Tradition and Change Revised Edition

Charles Lindholm is a University Professor at Boston University, before which he taught anthropology at Barnard College and at Columbia and Harvard Universities. His previous books include Generosity and Jealousy (1982), Culture and Identity: The History, Theory, and Practice of Psychological Anthropology (2000) and Is America Breaking Apart? (reprint edition 2001).

List of Illustrations. Preface. Acknowledgements. Glossary. Part I: Introduction:. 1. The Middle East: Assumptions and Problems. Part II: Preconditions for Egalitarian Individualism:. 2. Ways of Living. 3. Traditions of Authority and Freedom. 4. The Social Construction of Egalitarianism. Part III: State and Society: Prophets, Caliphs, Sultans and Tyrants:. 5. The Prophetic Age. 6. Early Struggles for Authority. 7. Sacred and Secular Rulers. 8. Novelties and Continuities. Part IV: Sacred Power: Reciters, Lawyers, Incarnations and Saints:. 9. The Essentials of Islam. 10. Recapturing the Sacred Past: The Power of Knowledge. 11. The Partisans of Ali. 12. Sufism in Practice. 13. The Contradictions of Saintly Authority. Part V: Dilemmas of Subordination:. 14. Slaves, Eunuchs and Blacks. 15. The Ambiguities of Women. 16. Escapes from Distinction: Love and Friendship. Part VI: Conclusion:. 17. Problems and Possibilities. Chronology of Events. Notes. References. Index.