Picture180pp • 320x320mm • Hardback
ISBN: 9789775864154
Price: £35.00
Available: September 2025

ZEITOUNA PRESS

The American Colony

£35.00
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the American Colony
FROM THE NILE TO THE EUPHRATES 1898-1948

Introduction and Notes by John Munro
Compiled and Edited by Sherif Boraïe
The fascinating story of a utopian society founded in Jerusalem in 1881 by evangelical Christians awaiting the Messiah.
A rare collection of vintage photographs capturing Arab lands during the significant first half of the twentieth century.
The American Colony was a utopian society in Jerusalem founded in 1881 by evangelical Christians who had come awaiting the return of the Messiah. The society engaged in philanthropy among the people of Jerusalem, playing a humanitarian role during both world wars and the troubled period of mandatory Palestine, leading to the establishment of Israel in 1948.
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The American Colony built a photographic studio and archive that captured life in Arab lands across the Near East, now at home in the Library of Congress. Covering 1898 to 1948, this collection presents over 150 annotated photographs, with scenes of historical significance intertwined with glimpses into daily life. Each image tells a story, illuminating a crucial period in Arab history during the twentieth century.
About the Contributors
John Munro taught at the American University of Beirut (1965-87) and later at the American University in Cairo (1987-97). He is the author of several books about the Middle East, including critical studies of Khalil Gibran and histories of Cyprus, Syrian Desert transport, and the American University of Beirut. He passed away in 2018.

Sherif Boraie is an editor and publisher based in Cairo. He founded his imprint, Zeitouna, in 1988, under which he has published a great number of highly illustrated books on Egyptian history, from the pharaohs to modern times. An expert in Egyptian history and heritage, Sherif is a leading light in the cultural scene of Egypt and with an unequalled knowledge of his subject.
Max Scott, Nomad Publishing