"This book, ostensibly an account of the French debates on Muslim headscarves in public schools, is a thoughtful and deep probe into French political culture, the legacy of colonialism, and the difficulty for a state that refuses to recognize communal differences in the public sphere to accommodate millions of Muslim immigrants. It is a timely, learned, and provocative work."--Stanley Hoffmann, Harvard University
"France's decision to ban religious signs in public schools was quite puzzling, if not downright crazy, to many outsiders. In "Why the French Don't Like Headscarves," John Bowen manages to make sense of the apparent madness by carefully tracing the disparate threads of the issue, in particular by replacing the debate within the specific French context of the long, complicated relationship between Church and State. This book should be read by all those who seek a fair and comprehensive analysis of the headscarves decision and of the broader question of the place of Muslims in contemporary French society."--Sophie Meunier, PrincetonUniversity, author of "The French Challenge: Adapting to Globalization"
"This extremely important book brings us a fresh and innovative analysis of its subject. What is new is that it is not by a French scholar--who would be immersed in the heated passions of the issue--but by an American anthropologist who decodes for us the chronology and the political and philosophical foundations of this particular debate."--Malika Zeghal, University of Chicago Divinity School, author of "Les islamistes marocains"
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"This book, ostensibly an account of the French debates on Muslim headscarves in public schools, is a thoughtful and deep probe into French political culture, the legacy of colonialism, and the difficulty for a state that refuses to recognize communal differences in the public sphere to accommodate millions of Muslim immigrants. It is a timely, learned, and provocative work."--Stanley Hoffmann, Harvard University
"France's decision to ban religious signs in public schools was quite puzzling, if not downright crazy, to many outsiders. In "Why the French Don't Like Headscarves," John Bowen manages to make sense of the apparent madness by carefully tracing the disparate threads of the issue, in particular by replacing the debate within the specific French context of the long, complicated relationship between Church and State. This book should be read by all those who seek a fair and comprehensive analysis of the headscarves decision and of the broader question of the place of Muslims in contemporary French society."--Sophie Meunier, PrincetonUniversity, author of "The French Challenge: Adapting to Globalization"
"This extremely important book brings us a fresh and innovative analysis of its subject. What is new is that it is not by a French scholar--who would be immersed in the heated passions of the issue--but by an American anthropologist who decodes for us the chronology and the political and philosophical foundations of this particular debate."--Malika Zeghal, University of Chicago Divinity School, author of "Les islamistes marocains"
Imprint | Princeton University Press |
Country of origin | United States |
Release date | August 2008 |
Availability | Expected to ship within 12 - 17 working days |
First published | 2006 |
Authors | John R. Bowen |
Dimensions | 235 x 152 x 18mm (L x W x T) |
Format | Paperback - Trade |
Pages | 304 |
ISBN-13 | 978-0-691-13839-8 |
Barcode | 9780691138398 |
Categories | |
LSN | 0-691-13839-7 |