'To see your cultural wood from your cultural trees, you need to get away,' claims Jonathan Bower. In 1977, he did just that, taking up residence in Tunisia, located in what used to be known in the West as Barbarie, from which we derive our word, barbarian. Formerly famous for its pirates, Tunisia was by that time perhaps the most progressive country in the Maghreb, where the sun sets daily on the western limit of the Islamic world.This collection of essays on a wide range of subjects is witness to Bower's stimulating cultural symbiosis with Tunisia, where over a period of more than thirty years, he became a kind of Irish 'Barbarian'. 'The views of this Barbarian will stimulate, surprise, and challenge you.''Bower examines the so-called clash of civilisations and concludes that ours is plagued with corruption and decay.''A decidedly unconventional and often contentious collection.'Jonathan Bower was born and educated in Ireland. Since then he has taught in universities in Africa and the Arab world. He has also worked in television, films, radio, and as a journalist. His debut novel, 'In Love In Alexandria' was published recently to international acclaim.He divides his time between the Maghreb, Ireland, and Provence.