Reviews (53)

A Bombshell full of information!
Everyone needs to read this! Very informative and clears up a lot of questions, and Jerome Corsi and Mike Evans are the right ones to answer them. I'm glad I purchased this one!

Make Israel 51 st state!!!
10 STARS!!!
courageous
Not exactly what our itching ears want to hear... but well researched and courageous. Do we dare NOT read and consider the implications of this information? ... Read more

Subjects:  1. International Relations (General)    2. International Relations - General    3. International cooperation    4. Iran    5. Iran - History    6. Middle East - Iran    7. Nuclear arms control    8. Nuclear nonproliferation    9. Nuclear weapons    10. Political Freedom & Security - International Secur    11. Political Science    12. Politics / Current Events    13. Politics/International Relations    14. Political Science / General   

Reviews (2)

for all fans of great non-fiction
I picked up this book because I have admired Jeffrey Goldberg's writing on a number of topics.This book is more a memoir than a political history (although I learned quite a bit of that in the course of reading this book -- the middle east is not a topic about which I know that much). If you are a fan of well-written non-fiction, then you will enjoy reading this book.Mr. Goldberg's writing is lively, largely cliche-free, often moving, and engrossing.As I write this, I realize that Prisoners is also a travel narrative of ancient and modern Israel...All in all, a lot of bang for one book.Highly recommended.

Highly Recommended
"Prisoners: A Jew and a Muslim Across the Middle East Divide" is a memoir as much as it is a commentary on the Jewish-Palestinian conflict in Israel. Goldberg, a long time journalist for the New Yorker and Middle East correspondent was also very much of his generation -- a Jewish-American growing up in New York City, who (having reading Leon Uris' Exodus) longed for strong Jewish heroes of the John Wayne sort. That longing took him to Israel where he served in the IDF as a guard at Ketziot, a bleak desert prison that houses thousands of Palestinians arrested during the first Intifada. His interviews and accounts of Jews and Palestinians ring true and I think that's partly due to his respect for journalism done well and because he is a Zionist with a hopeful heart who longs for peace. It's that hopeful heart of his that takes a beating, as did my own, as I read this book. He writes an entertaining and informative account and this is not a book that one will read and forget. Rather, it's one to be discussed and considered. If I could only recommend one book this year, I think it would have to be this one. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Arab-Israeli conflict    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography And Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Contemporary Politics - Middle East    8. Ethnic Cultures - General    9. Jewish journalists    10. Middle East - Israel    11. Palestinian Arabs    12. Political    13. United Arab Emirates    14. United States    15. Current Events / International   

Reviews (150)

Insightful and timely
I've been staring at a copy of Thomas Friedman's 'From Beirut to Jerusalem' on my shelf for nearly a year now, meaning to read it but always drawn to something else.Finally, recent events demanded that I learn more and I finally pulled it down, dusted it off, and read it.I'm so glad I did, especially now.
Pertinent Then and Pertinent Now
Not in the "must read " class, but a good informative personal account of Thomas Freidman, the New York Times middle east journalist.The book contains his observances of the factional fighting that took place in Beirut and the larger Lebanon, Israel conflict in the 1980s.Thebook has interesting observances of these complicated situations.This is a good book for the 21st century where it appears Lebanon is again descending into chaos, and Israel has once again tried the tactic of invading southern Lebanon.Freidman does a good job making a chaotic situation interesting while providing new insights.

A "Must Read" for Citizens of the World at the Beginning of the 21st Century
I have not yet completed From Beirut to Jerusalem, but I have been fascinated by every word.Mr. Friedman's intellectual approach to the every-day life, religions and politics of the Middle East is written in an easily understandable, conversational manner.He asks questions, finds a range of answers from varied sources, and shares his conclusions in a non-judgmental way.Mr. Friedman's in-depth study of the interplay of religions and politics in the Middle East has clarified many questions I had and has validated some of my thoughts. I better understand what is happening in the Middle East and am rethinking my own political views on today's events. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1973-1993    2. 1993-    3. Arab-Israeli conflict    4. Ethnic Studies - General    5. History    6. History - General History    7. History: World    8. International Relations - General    9. Jewish-Arab relations    10. Middle East    11. Middle East - General    12. Politics and government    13. Friedman, Thomas L    14. History / Middle East    15. Journeys   

Reviews (2)

A Brave and Nobel Attempt to Balance Histories
This is a marvellous read on an extremely complex and massively relevant topic. I.e., it got great reviews from the New York Times. I was much surprized to see the rant and attack on it here on Amazon as the only review at this moment in early October 2006...however, the book is just out. It is unfortunate that the single reviewer so far does nothing but blow their stack. Viewing the book, which is amazingly middle of the road, it is certainly somewhat critical of both sides in a conflict but highly informative. Given that the topic itself is so over heated even a book such as this by Khalidi will receive from one group or another being discussed angry rants: it would be unfortunate if any reader was stopped by that type of response. Rather it is understandable that anger arises, and arises in the context of the topic. This in itself signals the desperate need for a book such as this...a brave and noble attempt to balance and assess histories of people who for the most part are incapable of doing that themselves.
No good
Rashid Khalidi's book is supposed to be about the attempts of Arabs to achieve independence.However, I think the story is actually about the struggle of some Arabs to deny independence and human rights to nearby Jews, a minority that some people felt the Arabs had a Right and Duty to oppress.
Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Arab-Israeli conflict    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History: World    6. Middle East - General    7. Middle East - Israel    8. National liberation movements    9. Palestine    10. Palestinian Arabs    11. Politics and government    12. History / Israel   

Reviews (129)

Hillariously Nonsensical Plagiarism
The worst book ever written about the Middle East is probably Joan Peters' From Time Immemorial; in this book Alan Dershowitz not only attempts to usurp that dubious honor from Peters, he also heavily plagiarizes half her book in order to do so.
Apologist
I was very disappointed by the book.I wanted an explanation for Israels continuing occupation of Palestinian lands but got only apologistic rhetoric from this obvious pro zionist.Much of his writing I thought quite racist and certainly biased.

poor show, old boy
What a load of turnspeak.
Read more

Subjects:  1. History    2. History - General History    3. History: World    4. Israel - History    5. Middle East - General    6. Middle East - Israel    7. Palestine - History    8. Asian / Middle Eastern history    9. History / Middle East    10. Israel   

Reviews (20)

REVISIONIST HISTORY
I would like to remind the readers, who are crying over the fate of the poor victimized Palestinians, that every inch of the State of Israel was bought from these so-called victims, not only with blood, but with hard cash. Try to remember the little blue box marked "Keren HaKayemet," where even school children donated part of their allowances so more land could be purchased.
The Lemon Tree will open your eyes
After years of seeing the Israel-Arab conflict through the eyes of an agenda driven media,I was pleasantly surprised to learn that behind the bombs and gunfire live very real human beings.Tolan's presentation is heartbreaking and very touching.For the first time I realised that there is two sides to this story and none of the parties can hope to get everything they want unless a compromise is reached.
A wonderful reading journey
I just finished reading "The Lemon Tree" and I truly enjoyed it. Much of my reading took place during the most recent conflict/war in Lebanon. It is so sad that we still have to witness so much bloodshed.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Arab-Israeli conflict    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Ethnic Cultures - General    5. History    6. History (General)    7. History - General History    8. History: World    9. Israelis    10. Middle East - General    11. Palestinian Arabs    12. History / Middle East   

Reviews (100)

great insight
Imagine the U.S. was occupied by another country. Then, a third country, one that purports to value democracy and freedom, comes along to liberate us. We back them up and tolerate the installation of political cronies and corporate hacks in exchange for some kind of freedom. Then, this country, instead of installing a true democracy, installs a ruthless dictator and, if it is a democracy, is only a shadow one.And then the country continues this policy for 50 years, all the while claiming it supports freedom and democracy.
Insights to Iran
This is a fine read; well written and quite enlightening.It should be required reading for high school history/economics students.Also, the subject leads to dynamic discussions for book clubs.
Messing with other countries businesses
More than a interesting report of specifics of the doings of the English and American governments and corporations, this book shows that there are lessons in 1953 to be learned today about messing with other countries businesses.
Read more

Subjects:  1. History    2. History - General History    3. History: World    4. International Relations - General    5. Iran - History    6. Middle East - General    7. Middle East - Iran    8. Political History    9. U.S. Foreign Relations    10. United States - 20th Century    11. History / Israel    12. Iran    13. Revolutions & coups    14. Terrorism, freedom fighters, armed struggle    15. USA   

Editorial Review

About 40 years ago popular opinion assumed that religion would become a weaker force and people would certainly become less zealous as the world became more modern and morals more relaxed. But the opposite has proven true, according to theologian and author Karen Armstrong (Read more

Reviews (110)

Overly complicated, but interesting
Many new words, few remembered.
The Battle for Good History : Why Armstrong fails as acredible historian
"Battle For God"by Karen Armstrong
Erudite and masterful
Armstrong rates as one of the best, if not the best of the religious writers --- and she well deserves accolades. This book provides a rationale not only for the fundamentalist movements of the three major religions, but explains why, in other frameworks, one can never separate the conscious and unconscious in any permanent way.Her explanation of logos and mythos draws immediate parallels to the real and unreal, the seen and the unseen, the rational and the subconscious, the physical and metaphysical. Western technology induces eastern spirituality much the way the visible requires an analysis of the forces behind the visible.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Christianity - General    2. Comparative Religion    3. Fundamentalism    4. History    5. Islamic fundamentalism    6. Israel    7. Orthodox Judaism    8. Reference    9. Religion    10. Religion - World Religions    11. Religious fundamentalism    12. Religion / General   

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Generals    6. Israel    7. Israel - History    8. Middle East - Israel    9. Political    10. Political History    11. Presidents & Heads of State    12. Prime ministers    13. Statesmen    14. Biography & Autobiography / Presidents   

Editorial Review

Paul Johnson says that writing Read more

Reviews (62)

The best book on the subject, with no religiuos bias
It is one of the best books I read in my life. The book is full of intriguing thoughts and explanations. It does not have the sadness, which comes with the subject. The cross-cultural analysis has been very revealing. I found fascinating the accuracy of details presented on topics, which I lived through. Somehow it adds credibility to many other thoughts in the book. Thank you very much, Mr. Johnson

Should be required reading for sunday schools
This is a wonderful book that is extremely readable.I learned more from 10 days of reading this book than I did from 10 years of attending Sunday School.

Another Great Johnson Historical Review
Johnson is my favorite historian. I have read several of his other works over the years, History of Christianity, Birth of the Modern, Modern Times, and now, A History of the Jews.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Civilization    2. History    3. History - General History    4. History: World    5. Israel    6. Jewish - General    7. Jews    8. History / General    9. History of specific racial & ethnic groups    10. Jewish studies   

Subjects:  1. 1973-1993    2. 1993-    3. Arab-Israeli conflict    4. Foreign Relations 1990-    5. International Relations - General    6. Middle East - General    7. Palestine - History    8. Palestinian Arabs    9. Peace    10. Political Science    11. Politics / Current Events    12. Politics and government    13. Politics/International Relations    14. Reference    15. Political Science / International Relations   

Subjects:  1. Jews    2. Judaism - History    3. Judaism - Theology    4. Religion    5. Religion - Judaism    6. Restoration    7. Resurrection (Jewish theology)    8. Judaism    9. Religion / Judaism / History    10. Sacred texts   

Reviews (60)

Solid, important and highly informative book.
A very solid, important and highly informative book. Norman Finkelstein provides extensive details and analysis, with considerable historical depth and expert research, of a very wide range of issues concerning Israel, the Palestinians, and the U.S.
A Follow-Up of Sorts to the Holocaust Industry
In this book, Finkelstein extends his seminal work on the Holocaust Industry to encompass (what he considers to be) the uncritical support for Israel regardless of (what he contends to be) her repeated criminal acts against the Palestinians. For example, he discusses the decades-old massacre of Arab civilians by Israelis at Deir Yassin as well as larger, lesser-known Israeli massacres of Arab civilians in the early days of the State of Israel (Lydda, 250 victims; Ad Dawayima, "hundreds"; p. 263). Unlike most other reviews, however, this one focuses on Finkelstein's latest views on the Holocaust Industry.
Beyond Chutzpah: As powerful and well-documented as they come!
This book is a must read for every person interested in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It breaks through the artificial complexity and explains the core problems (occupation, expansion and human rights abuses) in a simple and direct manner. The book is a powerful blow to the "pro-Israel" forces that approve of Israel's illegal occupation of the Palestinian territories. It demonstrates pretty well the consensus among human rights organizations about Israel's widespread abuse, torture and war crimes. It also exposes the fabricated smoke screen stirred in the US to divert attention away from Israel's atrocities.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Arab-Israeli conflict    2. Case for Israel    3. Crimes against    4. Dershowitz, Alan M    5. General    6. History    7. History - General History    8. History: World    9. Judaism - General    10. Middle East - General    11. Middle East - Israel    12. Palestinian Arabs    13. Zionism    14. Asian / Middle Eastern history: postwar, from c 1945 -    15. History / General    16. Israel    17. Jewish studies    18. Palestine   

Reviews (5)

Sentimental plus
OKI admit I read it in one sitting.But during that whole time, kept thinking the same embarrassing thought "This book is as sentimental and idealistically patriotic as a Leni Riefenstahl film (but, unfortunately, not quite as artistically fascinating.)
I would give this book five stars simply on the basis of its main idea
Alan Dershowitz gathers the evidence of eighty distinguished witnesses who tell what Israel means to them. These are all basically pro- Israel voices though there are some sharp critics of Israeli policies among them. Among those whose testimony is included are: William Bennett,Hillary Clinton, Barbra Streisand, Al Gore, Henry Kissinger, Elie Wiesel, Saul Bellow, Arnold Schwartzenegger, Jerry Seinfeld, Sir Martin Gilbert, Harvey Weinstein, Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson, Ron Silver, Barney Frank, Larry King, Natalie Portman.
Wonderful tour of Israel from so many different perspectives.
What's wonderful about this book is that it isn't just one person's take or one person's dogma.Some of the writers are passionate defenders, some are critics, some are sentimental, and some are intellectual.All viewpoints (except anyone who would not like Israel to exist at all) are represented, articulately and readably.Quite a few of the essays were surprsingly moving.I'd especially recommend this book for someone about to take a first trip to Israel. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Attitudes    2. Celebrities    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History: World    6. Israel    7. Middle East - General    8. Middle East - Israel    9. History / Middle East    10. Jewish studies   

Reviews (1)

Superb book about a greatly misunderstood spy case
Some people like to call Jonathan Pollard "America's Dreyfus."Pollard's own supporters tried to get the Israeli government to accord him "prisoner of Zion" status (i.e. formal designation as someone suffering persecution for Zionist activities).
Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Espionage, Israeli    5. General    6. History    7. Israel    8. Military - Naval    9. Political Freedom & Security - Intelligence    10. Political Science    11. Politics/International Relations    12. Spies    13. United States    14. United States - 20th Century    15. Espionage & secret services    16. Military intelligence    17. USA    18. c 1980 to c 1990