Arabic letters still suffer from a shortage of works that treat subjects in the sciences or the arts with organized, objective, scientific research. This is what prompted Dar al-Kitab to publish this book by Dr. Stuart Dodd, professor of social sciences at the American University of Beirut, translated into Arabic by Mr. Farid Najjar.
The translator says in the book's preface: "... This book has been prepared for our Arab compatriots whose countries have entered the League of Arab States. For it appeared [...] these people are learning the rights and duties of citizenship in the independent countries, and are facing the problem of blending [...] what they find in their own culture with the best of what they decide to borrow from the European and American cultures. It aims, moreover, to help the Arabs raise up their rising nation and keep pace with this modern world, so intertwined in its relations and in the interests of its people."
The translator then says: "Accordingly, we cannot consider this book merely an account of the conditions of the Arab East,
In My Library
or of the conditions of the Arabs alone, nor can we consider it a book that examines the principles of the social sciences; rather, it is a blend of all of that, aiming to increase the reader's knowledge, to stir his thinking, and at times to stir his desire to work at solving the problems of his country. The author has summed up these problems systematically under the eleven principal institutions which we find in every society, then gathered these institutions into environments, beginning with the smallest and going up to the largest; he then took up the growth of society from its beginning to its present and its future. Thus we find that it is a systematic compendium of the social sciences, and a study of the mutual relations among people — spatial relations and welfare — and the application of this study in particular to the Arab East."
We believe that this is enough to introduce the book and present it to readers, and to urge them to acquire it and read it with close attention. It is a volume of some 400 pages, well arranged and well produced, like the rest of Dar al-Kitab's publications.
This is the message of the Syrian and Lebanese emigrants to their brothers who stayed behind, composed by Mr. Tawfiq Fadlallah Da'un, one of the pillars of Arabic letters in Brazil.
This message comes in a massive volume containing 558 large-format pages. It includes a portion of the author's life story, which reflects clearly and truthfully the struggle of the Syrians in the lands of emigration; it also includes a historical sketch of the emigration, of the conditions of the emigrants in every quarter, and of their glorious deeds and their works, which touch upon all the affairs of life. All of this in a sober, clear style in which truthfulness and sincere patriotism shine forth, making it a precious tome indispensable to everyone who cares to become acquainted with the emigration — that phenomenon so far-reaching in its effects and its consequences upon the life of the Arab world in general and of the Syrian and Lebanese peoples in particular.
Were we here in the field of criticism, and not merely of introduction, we would have a great deal to say about this unique book, which has, without doubt, rendered Arabic letters an inestimable service, for which the generous author deserves every praise and thanks.
Publications of Dar al-Kitab
The Palestine Question — by Dr. Najib Sadaka — price: 3 Lebanese liras
Speeches — by Dr. Charles Malik — price: 1 Lebanese lira
The Belle of Lebanon (a story) — by Mr. Farid Mudawwar — price: 2 Lebanese liras
Social Relations in the Arab East — by Dr. Stuart Dodd — price: 10 Lebanese liras
Liberty (a collection of poetry) — by Mr. Youssef al-Khal — price: 1½ Lebanese liras
Riyad on His Grandfather's Farm — (Children's Library) — price: 75 Lebanese piasters
These books may be ordered from Dar al-Kitab — Beirut, P.O. Box 1284, and from all the major bookstores.