(032399) Irwin, Robert. Dangerous Knowledge: Orientalism And Its Discontents. Woodstock, NY: Overlook Press, 2006. 1st Edition. Hardcover. 8vo. 410 pages. Fine in Fine DJ. Orientalism is a term used by art historians, literary and cultural studies scholars for the imitation or depiction of aspects of Middle Eastern, and East Asian cultures by American and European writers, designers and artists. In particular, Orientalist painting, depicting more specifically "the Middle East" was one of the many specialisms of 19th century Academic art. Since the publication of Edward Said's Orientalism, the term has arguably acquired a negative connotation. This book examines the motley crew of intellectuals and eccentrics who brought an understanding of the Islamic world to the West. Contents: The clash of ancient civilizations -- An ancient heresy of a new paganism -- Renaissance orientalism -- The holiness of Oriental studies -- Enlightenment of a sort -- Oriental studies in the age of stream and cant -- A house divided against itself -- The all too brief heyday of Orientalism -- An enquiry into the nature of a certain twentieth-century polemic -- Enemies of Orientalism ISBN: 158567835X (Orientalism, Middle East, Asia)