De-a lungul istoriei, arabii au avut o contributie esentiala la dezvoltarea stiintei si culturii mondiale. Volumul Nadiei Anghelescu ofera o panorama asupra acestei civilizatii care la un moment dat se intindea din Spania si Africa de Nord pina in Egipt, Siria si vechea Mesopotamie. Studiile referitoare la identitatea, limba si literatura arabe se impletesc cu cele care trateaza rolul orientalisticii in cunoasterea Orientului arab, stereotipurile privind islamul si lumea araba, dialogul dintre Orient si Occident, islamul si crestinismul. Intr-un moment in care, atit in Est, cit si in Vest, multi se lasa prada resentimentelor, e bine sa nu uitam, ne indeamna autoarea, „ce au adus arabii civilizatiei universale, ce au putut sa construiasca: nu numai cetati, ci si o mare cultura, o mare literatura". Din cuprins: La originile identitatii arabe Orientalistica, pentru si contra Orientalistii, denigratori ai Orientului? Netraductibil si netradus in traducerile din limba araba Incursiuni in literatura araba: teme si figuri Despre iubire, in Spania cucerita de arabi Iubirea in metafore arabe Throughout history, the Arabs have made an essential contribution to the development of world science and culture. Nadia Anghelescu's volume offers an overview of this civilization that at one time stretched from Spain and North Africa to Egypt, Syria and ancient Mesopotamia. Studies on Arab identity, language, and literature intertwine with those dealing with the role of Orientalism in the knowledge of the Arab Orient, stereotypes about Islam and the Arab world, the dialogue between East and West, Islam and Christianity. At a time when, both in the East and in the West, many succumb to resentment, it is good not to forget, the author urges us, "what the Arabs brought to universal civilization, what they were able to build: not only cities, but also a great culture, a great literature ". From the contents: At the origins of the Orientalist Arab identity, for and against the Orientalists, denigrators of the Orient? Untranslatable and untranslated in Arabic translations Incursions into Arabic literature: themes and figures About love, in Spain conquered by Arabs Love in Arabic metaphors