This work is one of Edward Said's best , in fact,

Culture and Imperialism is better than Orientalism.

The overarching theme is the interconnection
between culture and society be it in the past or the
present. His aim is not to disparage the West but to
show how one's identity is more or less determined
by one's relationship with the Other ( the third world).
His obeservations on this relationship, the other and
the west is quite enlightening. Contrary to what have
been written, this is not an apologia for Islamicism
( Islamic Fundamentalists), he is indeed critical of
fundamentalists of any stripe. Said is a secularist so
it would be nonsensical for him to support a
fundamentalist government. While he is critical of
the West(rightfully so), he does acknowledge the
undemocratic nature of Middle Eastern
governments. His love for liberty and justice
convinces the reader that he is sincere in his
condemnation of Islamicism. This book is needed to
be read carefully but once you're done reading you'll
be glad to have done so.