Chapter 39: Middle East

Founding Publishers		Mike and Stephen Malbon
Creative Director		Sir Frank
Guest Curator		Mohammad Dagman
Editor In Chief		Frank Green
Managing Editor		Adam Pasulka
Editor At Large		J. Nicely
Reality Editor		Dan Tochterman
Photo Editor		Craig Wetherby
Production Director		Anton Schlesinger
Art Director		Thomas "Bongi" Bongiorno
Lead Designer		Shanti Garcia
Title Design		Sumayya Alsenan
Cover Calligraphy		Turkish writer Haqqi (1290-1365 H) in Thulth style.
Copy Editor		Stefanie "Schui" Schumacher

Contributors		Samera Abed, Karim Adel, Ridwan Adhami, Shadi Al-Ali, Laith Al-Majali, Ghada Amer, Armen Danilian, Yaniv Edry, Khaled Elsayed, Rich-Joseph Facun, Rana Good, Ron Goskin, Sage Hazarika, Maureen Mahony, Maximillian Menacher, Louisa Menke, Matt Olsen, Arthur Rashkovan, Ghayth Salman, Ellen Stagg, Eric Staniford, Ali Sultan, Synapse, Nicole Velasco

Director of Legal Affairs		Brian J. Marvin
Associate Publisher		Eric Shorter
Marketing Director		Domingo Neris
Distro League Manager		Dave Cove
FDL Sales Manager Manager		Todd Nisbet
Chop Shop General Manager		Mr. Bee
Chop Shop Assistant Manager		Thaiana Cruz
US/Japan Ambassador		Daisuke Shiromoto
Far East Operations Directors		Lyntaro Wajima, Takayuki Shibaki
Far East Logistics		Yosuke Nakata, Tomonori Mitsuo
Industry Relations		Christian Alexander, Daks, Max Perlich

With vast sections of the Middle East marred by violence and struggle, many Westerners view the region as a chaotic, lawless land. Without delving into the West’s role in the chaos, most would agree that popular Western opinion of the Middle East is overwhelmingly negative, and often informed by what is covered in the mainstream media. While portions of the Middle East are embroiled in serious conflicts, the region is also home to some of the oldest and richest cultures in the world.

Guest curated by Mohammad Dagman, Frank Book Chapter 39 presents a unique view of the Middle East, with an emphasis on Arabic culture. Stories will range from a little-known though magnificent ancient city carved into rocks in Saudi Arabia, Arabic tags found on New York City streets, high-end auto technicians in Kuwait, professional athletes, poets, skaters, notable militants, and much more. Frank151 dived directly into the heart of the Arab world, providing a never-before-seen look into Arabic thought, art, literature, and trends.

Release Date: Winter 2009

Desert Ships

Words and photos: Rich-Joseph Facun

A quilt of dust drapes a trail that leads sheikhs and tribes of men through rolling golden dunes as far as the eye can see, to one destiny, Million Street. On this short strip of road is a tapestry of voices melodically spewing intermingled words, blasting through crackling megaphones attached to SUVs—each imminent voice sounding more and more like a used-car salesman, beckoning the ears of a buyer for his four-legged fortunes. Roadside, men of deep bedouin roots and conviction, from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, mingle with their desert ships—or camels, for those not from this land. Welcome to the Mazayin Dhafra Camel Festival.

Posted on 08.24.11 10:27 AM by FrankGreen

The Culture of Fighting Words

Words: Mohammad Dagman

The Middle East is rich with written works. Arab literary figures have left a great many beautiful and influential texts throughout history. Particular examples have remained more popular than the most famous kings.

Here are five novels from the 20th century that are very important because of their impact and popularity—or rather, notoriety—with certain establishments in the Arabic-speaking world.

Posted on 12.14.09 12:00 PM by FrankGreen

Surfing 4 Peace

Words: Matt Olsen
Photos courtesy of: Surfing 4 Peace

It’s hard to talk about surfing in a war zone without someone making a reference to the classic scene in Coppola’s Apocalypse Now. But here in the Middle East, things are a little different. In our world, Charlie does surf, and there’s nothing we want more than to share a few waves with him.

Posted on 12.14.09 12:07 PM by FrankGreen

Edward Said

Interview and photo: Mohammad Dagman

In 1996 I had the opportunity to interview professor Edward Said. Throughout his career as a critic, theorist, advocate, and teacher, Said questioned Western attitudes towards “other” peoples and places. Orientalism—perhaps his best-known book—is considered a seminal work in the field of postcolonialism. In spite of his relative fame, Professor Said was very down to earth while he discussed his world-renowned theories.

Posted on 08.13.11 12:32 PM by FrankGreen