Most recent articles by Andreas Pflitsch
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Caliphs and assassinsBetween myth and reality
Although the Ottoman Caliphate was abolished in 1924, there remains a lasting fascination for this lost institution. The Tubingen Islamic studies scholar and historian Heinz Halm conducted meticulous research on the Fatimid caliphate in 11-12th century Egypt. Andreas Pflitsch read the book
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Taha Hussein and the democratisation of education in EgyptThe sea of knowledge
The Egyptian author Taha Hussein warned as long ago as the 1930s that the future of Egypt depended on reforming its education system. His book "The Future of Culture in Egypt" is a plea for an enlightened, democratic and Mediterranean Egypt. By Andreas Pflitsch
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Book review: Klaus J. Bade on Thilo SarrazinForget Sarrazin!
In 2010, the German politician and former member of the board of the Bundesbank Thilo Sarrazin, caused a nationwide uproar with his hugely controversial theories on intelligence, class, race, immigration and multiculturalism. The prominent migration specialist Klaus J. Bade has now written a book on the ensuing debate. According to Andreas Pflitsch, Bade's analysis is thorough, but he completely misses the essence of the matter
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Global historyPlaying with the relativity of perspectives
A new six-volume work entitled "A History of the World" is the high point of a historiographical boom in the discipline known as "global history". The project attempts to overcome the eurocentrism of traditional writings of history. By Andreas Pflitsch
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The 100th Anniversary of Karl May's DeathLiterary Genius or Man of Legendary Hubris?
Karl May is the most widely read of all German writers. This year, which marks the 100th anniversary of his death, a number of new biographies seek to reconsider Karl May's place in German literary history. Andreas Pflitsch read two of them
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Memoirs of Middle East Reporting''Somebody had to go to Cairo''
The memoirs of former Middle East correspondent Ulrich Kienzle document how the spirit of optimism in the German media of the late 1960s and 1970s hooked up with the quixotic political idealism of the time. A review by Andreas Pflitsch
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Youssef Ziedan's Novel ''Azazeel''In Case of Doubt, Choose Doubt
Youssef Ziedan's "Azazeel" was awarded the renowned Arab Booker Prize in 2009. Our reviewer Andreas Pflitsch says that this historical novel is a plea against religiously motivated violence
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Alaa al-Aswani's "On the State of Egypt"''Democracy Is the Solution''
A selection of columns published before the revolution by celebrated Egyptian writer Alaa al-Aswani show that even if the West was turning a blind eye to imminent political change in Egypt, many writers and intellectuals were making clear predictions of the seismic eruptions to come. By Andreas Pflitsch
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Max Baron of OppenheimAn Encyclopedic Travelogue Free from the Arrogance of the Time
As diplomat and explorer, Max Baron of Oppenheim's knowledge of the Orient was exceptional for the time. His interest in the Arab world was unique as well in that it was free from condescension. A portrait by Andreas Pflitsch