Join The American University in Cairo Press for a virtual book discussion of Edward Said: The Politics of an Oppositional Intellectual by Nubar Hovsepian (AUC Press, 2025), a profound exploration of the life, work, and legacy of one of the 20th century’s most influential thinkers and the foremost advocate for the Palestinian cause in the West. In this special event, author Nubar Hovsepian will be in conversation with acclaimed journalist, interviewer, and award-winning radio host David Barsamian, founder of Alternative Radio.
Together, they will explore the political, cultural, and personal dimensions of Edward Said’s thought—from his groundbreaking work Orientalism to his enduring advocacy for Palestinian rights and his vision for justice and humanism in global affairs. The conversation will also reflect on Said’s relevance in today’s world and Hovsepian’s unique insights as both a scholar and someone who knew Said personally.
About the Author:
Nubar Hovsepian (Author) is associate professor emeritus of political science at Chapman University in Orange, California. He is the author of Palestinian State Formation: Education and the Construction of National Identity, and he edited and contributed to The War on Lebanon. He is the author of books on Palestine and Lebanon, and editor of several books including on the Iranian revolution. Hovsepian has devoted enormous time to the Israel/Palestine conflict, and served, from 1982 to 1984, as political affairs officer for the United Nations Conference on the Question of Palestine.
About the Discussant:
One of America’s most tireless and wide-ranging investigative journalists, David Barsamian has altered the independent media landscape, both with his weekly radio program, Alternative Radio—38 years and running— and his books with Noam Chomsky, Eqbal Ahmad, Howard Zinn, Tariq Ali, Richard Wolff, Arundhati Roy and Edward Said. His latest books are Culture and Resistance, Retargeting Iran, Chronicles of Dissent and Notes on Resistance. His forthcoming book from Haymarket in March 2024 is with Arundhati Roy, The Architecture of Modern Empire. David lectures on world affairs, imperialism, capitalism, propaganda, the media and global rebellions.
