Paralles and Paradoxes is a series of transcribed conversations between Daniel Barenboim and Edward Said. Barenboim is a big shot pianist/conductor (musical genius in the highest sense of both words) and Said is a very influential thinker/literary critic who is most well known for developing his theories on exoticism/orientalism. Both men have a great affinity for music (Said is an accomplished pianist) and both have a keen interest in political issues, especially of the middle east.

A book of their conversations may seem to be pretentious to some. And it certainly is in a way. Yet I can't deny the pairing of Barenboim and Said (who are great friends) is appealing. Their conversations are engaging and touch lightly upon politics, music, and lierature. The aim that comes through clearly of both these men, of attempting to find an "artistic" solution to political issues, is admirable. Though the specifics of their discussion can not be too scholarly, they nevertheless bring up some good points. It is a book of conversations, after all, and not a treatise on the modern political relevance of the sociological content of Beethoven's 9th symphony. As such, it is an interesting and fast read. 8/10 for a jaded academic like me.