An analysis of the debate on the relevance of the concept of civil society to social and political change and the role of NGOs in promoting emancipatory projects. The author uses the empirical case of Egyptian civil society to ascertain whether civil society is the main engine of social and political change or a terrain characterised by authoritarian and repressive tendencies. BNS, 216pp, UK. I B TAURIS, 1850435812

Explores the impact of market liberalisation policies and especially of Law 96 of 1992 which fundamentally reversed the gains obtained by tenant farmers under Nasserist reforms. It examines Egyptian Government's goal of agricultural export-led growth and the long history of conflict in the agricultural sector. It includes a series of original investigations into tenancy relations and the new 1992 tenancy law and shows how rural Egypt is paying a price of increasing poverty and immis-eration for the neo-liberal economic policies. Map, notes, bibliography, index, 256pp, UK. ZED BOOKS, 1842770578

Over thirty years, television dramas have both reflected and attempted to mould social life and political sensibilities in Egypt. In this anthropological study, Abu Lughod asks how the shifting politics of these television serials participate in national and regional life, questioning the place of Islam and the value of consumer culture in Egypt. The author also uncovers deep tensions between social inequalities and the cultural forms that attempt to address them. Index, refs, notes, app, xvii, 319pp, USA. CHICAGO U P, 0226001970

The authors describe the problems of food supply for a rapidly growing population, review the effects of water and land shortage and consider the impact of globalization on Egypt's attempts to industrialize. Index, refs, tables, maps, b/w photographs, x, 285pp, UK. I.B. TAURIS, 1860645488

Based on hundreds of interviews with key actors representing diverse political viewpoints, this book provides insights into government abnd opposition behaviour during Sadat's presidency. Notes, app, bib, index, xi, 340pp, UK. MACMILLAN - PALGRAVE, 0333946685

2000 HB

Using interviews with former Prime Ministers and Cabinet Ministers along with previously unpublished analyses by the World Bank, IMF and USAID provide insights into Egypt's economic development policy from 1952 to 2000. Index, bib, notes, 360pp, UK. ROUTLEDGE.

The author traces the shaping of contemporary Egyptian politics considering why authoritarian rule has been so resilient and assessing the mechanisms that have allowed for its survival. Index, bib, ix, 212pp, USA. LYNNE RIENNER.

Using over 300 colour photographs and paintings, the author presents the great variety of animal life in Egypt in the country's wilderness areas. 58pp, EGYPT. AMERICAN UNIVERSITY IN CAIRO.

Examines role of Egyptian educational system, constraints on graduates, strategizing and negotiating with the system. Special edition of Cairo Papers in Social Science Vol.25 No.3 Fall 2002 now in book form. Works cited, transliteration and gloss, viii, 121pp, EGYPT. AMERICAN UNIVERSITY IN CAIRO.

A report describing the story behind the recent seizure and torture of men accused of homosexual conduct. Human Rights Watch detail the police raids, surveillance and officially sanctioned brutality that mark the Egyptian government's attempt to protect cultural values. Notes, 144pp, UK. HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH, 1564322963

Revised edition. Examines the different Egyptian fundamentalist groups, with particular emphasis on how ideological differences have lead to distinctive attitudes towards violence and terrorism. Index, bib, notes, refs, app, ix, 272pp, UK. PALGRAVE.

Samir Amin's memoirs provide a fascinating insight into the personal and political life of one of the twentieth century's leading radical intellectuals. Combining autobiography with penetrating historical-political analysis, this title serves as an introduction to his most important theoretical contributions and offers a unique insight into the operations of global capitalism and the evolution, crises and potentialities of radical movements. 288pp, UK. ZED BOOKS.

A study of the world of the students, professionals, workers and unemployed who are caught up in the Islamic movements of Egypt. The author also looks at how world events shape the movements from the first World Trade Centre bombings to the attempt on the life of Pope John Paul II and the assassination of Sadat. This new edition includes a new preface discussing the September 11th 2001 attacks. BNS, 290pp, USA. CALIFORNIA U P.

An account of the commercial agents of foreign firms who sprang into prominence in Egypt under Sadat. Index, bib, notes, 178pp, UK. ZED BOOKS, 0862322235

A well received linguistic ethnography of classical Arabic. The author looks at the possibilities of modernising a sacred language and the cultural and political implications of this. Index, bib, 184pp, UK. PALGRAVE

Focusing on the Islamic women's movement in Cairo, the author investigates the impact of activism on women's self empowerment. Hafez argues that Islamic women's activism cannot be adequately understood in terms of liberal feminist discourse. Rather, she proposes an approach that relies on these women's perspectives as a guiding factor in assessing the impact of their activism. Refs, notes, v, 114pp, EGYPT. AMERICAN UNIVERSITY IN CAIRO.