"This is an excellent contribution to the study of the dynamics of the Arab cultural system in modern times, especially against the background of the current limited research in the field. Arab and Western scholars have generally ignored the non-canonized texts and activities in Arab society although it has been proven that the study of such texts and activities and their relationships and interactions with the canonical cultural circles are essential if we want to arrive at an adequate understanding of the historical development of Arab culture and to truly perceive the general literary taste of the present period and the horizons of native readers. By adopting a socio-historical approach this study is the first major attempt to highlight the unappreciated merit of the non-canonized protest plays jointly written by the Syrian artists Durayd Lahham and Muhammad al-Maghout. As illustrated by the complicated and multi-layered personality of Ghawwar the famous and popular character created by Lahham Hamdan's study combines art with politics, the heritage of the past with the innovations of the present, East with West and lower class-consciousness with Pan-Arab nationalism."  -Professor Reuven Snir, University of Haifa.