Many years ago (25? 30? more?) the NY Times magazine section ran a cover article on the peculiarities of “the arab mind” and, as I recall, at least implied what Lacey had concluded. Try as I might (including phoning the Times), I’ve been unable to track down that article. Anyone here know what I’m talking about, and if so, can you point me in the right direction?
Likely it was “The Closed Circle: An Interpretation of the Arabs” By David Pryce-Jones.
Absolutely the best work I have read to understand that culture.