Includes bibliographical references and index.

Edward Said is perhaps best known as the author of the landmark study Orientalism, a book which changed the face of critical theory and shaped the emerging field of post-colonial studies, and for his controversial journalism on the Palestinian political situation.Looking at the context and the impact of Said's scholarship and journalism, this book examines Said's key ideas, including:the significance of 'worldliness', 'amateurism', 'secular criticism', 'affiliation' and 'contrapuntal reading' the place of text and critic in 'the world' knowledge.