The impact of modern Arab poets, in particular in language and imagery and consequently, the emergence of alternative ideologies on young Bahraini poets, was indelible. It is, therefore, the explicit political pronouncements coupled with the complexity of language and imagery that initiated the rise of contemporary Bahraini poetry.

The development and, eventually, the flourishing of the short story in Bahrain, in addition to the crucial role of the middle class in spreading political and social awareness, was also indebted to the influence of the Arab writers, in particular in Egypt, whose writers enlightened the Arab masses literarily as well as politically. In the meantime, the circulation of the local newspapers in which the writers were able to publish their materials, indeed, consolidated the establishing of the genre of the short story in Bahrain and other Gulf states.

After centuries of oppressive Ottoman rule, the Arab world began to find new vitality and freedom in the twentieth century. The accompanying resurgence of creative expression is splendidly reflected in this definitive anthology of contemporary Arabic poetry, which spans the modern Arab world from the turn of the century to the present, from the Arab Gulf to Morocco. The editor, Salma Khadra Jayyusi, a renowned expert on modern Arabic literature, presents a through introduction to the works of more than ninety Arab poets. To create the best possible English translation, each selection has been translated first by a bilingual expert and then by an English-language poet, who creatively renders it into idiomatic English.

Reading, a complex and multi-faceted skill, is essential for life and academic success. While its mysteries still baffle first-language research, the nature of reading in a foreign language presents an even greater puzzle. However, given reading’s importance for EFL students who study their specializations in English, and whose future employment may depend on their competence in it, researchers must continue to investigate foreign language reading and devise ways of improving students’ capacity for it. Hence, this book, with its thorough coverage of up-to-date theory, practice and research, will be of great value in today’s educational context. As they strive to understand reading and help EFL students to acquire it, researchers and language teachers will find much of value here.

Arabic poetry is categorized into two main parts: rhyme and prose with the former significantly preceding the latter. Khalifa’s poetry is highly regarded and is associated with religion and culture. This book serves as a reference to a few selected poems of Ali Abdullah Khalifa’s poetry where academic professionals, students, and researchers in the literary and critical fields can discuss the issues raised by the poet and his approach to poetry. Al-Sayegh shows how Khalifa’s poetry reveals serious matters about the life of his people while using themes of love and courage in the pursuit of understanding. Al-Sayegh breaks down Khalifa’s poems into all its important elements to explain how they work together to create a poetic effect and reinforce meaning.

Voices represents a new movement in poetry, whose signs emanated from the sixties and can be considered an exit from the dark tunnel or the dim horizon through which all poetic movements in Bahrain passed. This is, of course, after the crushing of the nationalist movement in the fifties and consequently, the exile of its main political leaders, as well as the banning of journals and application of emergency law in the country for ten years. Such a banal situation left negative effects on the development of poetry in Bahrain and failed in accord with the novelties of the new poetic movements in the Arab world. However, this stage of confinement and unproductiveness, through which the new poetic movement in Bahrain passed, led eventually to revisions. Furthermore, it promoted action on the basis of various past movements and the contemplation of their poetic elements and patterns, some of which have already been mentioned. This obviously made the Neo-Realist Movement embody a live storehouse of poetic experience in Bahrain. It also equipped poets with opportunities to mediate on the reality of this modern poetic experience in the Arab world and be acquainted with specimens of world poetry and human culture.

Names such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi have been emerging in the world's eye over the past decade as exotic hotspots, wealthy from oil production and advanced in the means of technology. However, at the same time, the Arab Gulf States have managed to maintain their traditional culture, adapting it to modern life. With complete coverage on Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates, Culture and Customs of the Arab Gulf States is a must-have for every high school and public library shelf. Clear and vivid descriptions of contemporary life in the Arab Gulf help students discover how traditions of the past have evolved into customs today. This exhaustive volume covers topics such as religion, festivals, cuisine, fashion, family life, literature, the media, and music, among many others. Up-to-date and comprehensive, this volume offers a unique and contemporary depiction of culture in some of the world's wealthiest, up-and-coming nations.