
Shocked and Awed
A Dictionary of the War on Terror
Fred Halliday(Author)
University of California Press
1st Edition
Published on 15. March 2011
Book
Paperback/Softback
360 pages
978-0-520-26870-8 (ISBN)
Description
Part reference, part polemic, part compelling snapshot of our times, "Shocked and Awed" is a bristling arsenal of potent weapons: words. Fred Halliday's unorthodox dictionary defines hundreds of words and phrases used about 9/11, the wars and other events that have followed it, and ongoing issues linked to those events. He shows how the War on Terror, itself a fascinating linguistic construct, has brought us not just new words, such as 'Gitmo', and new imports, such as 'jihad', but also new ways of using existing language, such as 'extraordinary rendition'. His definitions include religious, political, and military terms; famous quotes and phrases; cultural phenomena and personalities; euphemisms of war; important Middle Eastern vocabulary; stereotypes and insults; and, much more. Taken together, these words tell a new story about the power and malleability of language and its important role in the central conflicts of our day. An essential reference, "Shocked and Awed" will keep readers informed and up-to-date on the global vocabulary war being waged around us in the twenty-first century.
Reviews / Votes
"The reading is fascinating and raises important questions about the use and misuse of the English language. This book ought to be in all public and academic libraries."--Booklist "Halliday's unorthodox dictionary defines hundreds of words and phrases used about 9/11, the wars and other events that have followed it... Taken together, these words tell a new story about the power and malleability of language and its important role in the central conflicts of our day."--Foreword "An excellent volume for those who wonder about the history and definition of terrorism-related terms."--ChoiceMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Berkerley
United States
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 140 mm
Thickness: 29 mm
Weight
454 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-520-26870-8 (9780520268708)
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Schweitzer Classification
Person
Fred Halliday (1946-2010) was ICREA Research Professor at the Barcelona Institute for International Studies and the author of numerous books, including 100 Myths about the Middle East (UC Press), The World at 2000, and Two Hours That Shook the World.