The Pen and the Sword: Conversations with Edward Said

"Said is forthright, even blunt, and he demonstrates a thrilling capacity for integrating culture and politics."—Publishers Weekly

Gathered here are five wide-ranging interviews with the internationally renowned Palestinian scholar and critic Edward Said (1935-2003). In conversation with David Barsamian, director of Alternative Radio, these interviews cover a broad range of topics: the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; Professor Said's groundbreaking work of literary scholarship, Orientalism; music; and much more. With an introduction by Eqbal Ahmad, and a new preface from Nubar Hovsepian, this is an indispensable introduction to one of the twentieth century's foremost critical intellectuals.