Background
Marsot, Afaf Lutfi al-Sayyid was born on November 1, 1931 in Cairo. Daughter of Said Lutfi and Atiya (Rashwan) al-Sayyid.
( In the late eighteenth century, decentralized and chaot...)
In the late eighteenth century, decentralized and chaotic government in Egypt allowed women a freedom of action that has not been equaled until recent times. Delving extensively into archival sources, Afaf Marsot presents the first comprehensive picture of women's status and opportunities in this period. Marsot makes important connections between forms of government, economic possibilities, and gender relations, showing how political instability allowed women to acquire property, independent of males, as a hedge against political uncertainty. She traces the linkages that women formed among themselves and with the ulama (non-Ottoman native elites) who aided and supported them. The book concludes with a comparison of women's status in the nineteenth century, when the introduction of European institutions that did not recognize their legal existence marginalized women, causing them to have to rely on men as major breadwinners. These important findings about the relationship between forms of government and the status of women will be of interest to a wide audience.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0292717369/?tag=2022091-20
(The history of Egypt from the Arab conquest in 639 to the...)
The history of Egypt from the Arab conquest in 639 to the present day introduces the reader to the central paradox of Egyptian identity - the alienation of the Egyptian from his rulers, who until 1952 were foreigners, and the continuity of an area with fixed boundaries which has existed for millenia. The first three chapters deal with the Arab conquest, the age of the mamluks and Egypt's incorporation into the Ottoman Empire, while the later part of the book examines the early development of the modern state under Muhammad Ali, the liberal experiment after 1922, the Nasser years and the legacy Nasser bequeathed to his successors, Sadat and Mubarak. The author has now updated the volume to consider Egypt's role in the Gulf War and the ways in which the government has dealt with an increase in terrorism. Now that President Mubarak has been elected for a third term, the author asks if a new, more liberal direction is possible in the face of continuing uncertainty.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0521272343/?tag=2022091-20
(This account of Egyptian society in the reign of Muhammad...)
This account of Egyptian society in the reign of Muhammad Ali traces the beginnings of the nation state in Egypt. It considers Muhammad Ali as part of a social group whose economic interests led them in the direction of trade with Europe as a means of raising money for further investments. They attempted to increase agricultural exports and to use the profits to create industry; then, following the logic of imperialists, their next step was to seek to conquer the surrounding areas to find markets for their industries and sources of raw materials. These policies brought them into conflict with their suzerain, the Ottoman sultan, and with England, since England needed markets in the Middle East. England sought to destroy the new regime in Egypt as a means of exerting influence on the region. In carrying out these economic changes, the country underwent a series of internal developments that were to revolutionize the structure and shape of Egyptian society. The rules of landownership were altered and large estates were formed, Egyptian fallahin were drafted into the army, and the administration was Egyptianized, establishing the groundwork for a nation state.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0521289688/?tag=2022091-20
author Middle East history educator
Marsot, Afaf Lutfi al-Sayyid was born on November 1, 1931 in Cairo. Daughter of Said Lutfi and Atiya (Rashwan) al-Sayyid.
Bachelor of Arts Sociology, American University, Cairo, 1952. Master of Arts in Political Science, Stanford University, 1956. Doctor of Philosophy in Oriental Studies, University of Oxford, United Kingdom, 1963.
Research fellow St. Antony's College, Oxford, 1963—1965. Assistant professor American University, Cairo, 1965—1968. Visiting assistant professor University of California at Los Angeles, 1968—1970, associate professor, 1970—1975.
Professor Middle East history, since 1975.
(The history of Egypt from the Arab conquest in 639 to the...)
( In the late eighteenth century, decentralized and chaot...)
(This account of Egyptian society in the reign of Muhammad...)
Member Middle East Studies Association (president 1977), American ResearchCentre in Egypt (board. Member 1971, president 1991-1993).
Daughter of Said Lutfi and Atiya (Rashwan) al-Sayyid. Married Alain-Gerard Marsot, July 29, 1964. Children: Vanina Mona, Vanessa Atiya.