Arabist among Arabs - Leo Kwarten

In search of the story behind the well-known headlines with violence and war suffering, Leo Kwarten takes the reader on a journey through the Middle East, from Tunis to Tehran and from Bahrain to Baghdad. He meets terrorists, survivors, converts, expats, ayatollahs, whore madams, hustlers and even a president wanted by the International Criminal Court.

Arabist among Arabs is about much more than politics. It also offers a humorous look behind the scenes of Arab business and provides an insight into the cultural differences with which Arabs and Westerners struggle. It addresses sensitive topics such as racism, sexual harassment and prostitution.

But above all, this is the book of an Arabist, someone with a great love for the Arabic language. Kwarten goes on an adventure in an Arabic dictionary, explains what a 'Jew's camel' is, unveils the wonderful world of Arabic 'sweet talk' and writes infectiously about the flowery lyrics of the war songs of the Houthis in Yemen.

This paperback contains an index and has 276 pages.

' Arabist among Arabs . An entertaining book by Arabist Leo Kwarten. Highly recommended!' - Arend Johannes Boekestijn (Dutch historian and former politician)

Listen here to the Bureau Abroad podcast where Leo Kwarten talks about his fascination with the Arab world.

Listen to the Mizrach (CIDI) podcast here . In this episode you will hear Leo Kwarten about his funny and educational book Arabist among Arabs .