M. Keith Booker

Isra Daraiseh

In a postmodern world of globalised capital, how does the concept of Orientalism inform understandings of cultural exchange? In this detailed and wide-ranging examination, Arab popular culture is explored in its relation to American culture and capitalism. Offering new insights on Edward Said's longstanding theoretical lens, Consumerist Orientalism presents an updated conceptual framework through which to understand the intercultural relationship between East and West, exploring a wide range of cultural production; from an Oscar-nominated Jordanian film to Turkish-Arab soap operas and Arab-diaspora rap. Drawing on key contemporary critical thinkers and in-depth cultural analysis, the relationship between capitalism, postmodernism and Orientalism is explored with fresh insights, making this essential reading for students of Middle Eastern culture, globalisation and postcolonial studies.

The Convergence of Arab and American Popular Culture in the Age of Global Capitalism

Consumerist Orientalism

Widely regarded as one of the greatest television series of all time, The Sopranos is also considered one of the most significant achievements in contemporary American culture. IThe series spearheaded the launch of a new wave of quality programming that has transformed the way people watch, experience, and talk about television. By chronicling the life and crimes of a New Jersey mobster, his family, and his cronies, The Sopranos examines deep themes at the heart of American life, particularly the country’s seedy underbelly. In Tony Soprano’s America: Gangsters, Guns, and Money, M. Keith Booker and Isra Daraiseh explore the central role of the series in American cultural history. While examining the elements that account for the show’s popularity and critical acclaim, the authors also contend that The Sopranos revolutionized the way audiences viewed television in general and cable programming as well. This book demonstrates how a show focused on an ethnic antihero somehow reflected common themes of contemporary American life, including ethnicity, class, capitalism, therapy, and family dynamics. Providing a sophisticated yet accessible account of the groundbreaking series—a show that rivals film and literature for its beauty and stunning characterization of modern life—this book engages the reader with ideas central to the American experience. Tony Soprano’s America brings to life this profound television program in ways that will entertain, engage, and perhaps even challenge longtime viewers and critics.

Isra Daraiseh

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