"Lorcin's excellent intellectual history investigates in great depth the French colonial 'Kabyle Myth' and the 19th-century development of racial stereotypes. . . . Lorcin's highly recommended book also serves anthropological, ethnological, and sociological studies of imperialism."--Choice "[Imperial Identities] is essential reading for any student of Maghreb history and important in its conclusions. . . . Lorcin's sources are rich and varied, scrupulously referenced. . . . Enjoyable to read as well as being most enlightening."--Anthony Clayton, Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History "Lorcin's study of the formulation and manipulation of imperial identities is a masterpiece of the genre and makes a significant contribution to Algerian history, to nineteenth-century French intellectual history, and to the broader history of imperialism."—John Ruedy, Journal of Middle East Studies "Sets new standards for research in both colonial and intellectual history. . . . Imperial Identities would already be important if it merely showed how the Kabyle Myth came into existence, but that is not where Lorcin stops her inquiry, and this is why her work is certain to leave a lasting mark on the field."—James Le Sueur, Journal of Modern History "Lorcin's persuasive and well-written account of the historical development of [postcolonial] attitudes adds much to our understanding."--William A. Hoisington Jr., Journal of Interdisciplinary History "Lorcin's exemplary study of the 'Kabyle myth' . . . provides striking evidence of the centrality of racial classification to modern colonialism."—Daniel J. Sherman, French Historical Studies