This is an abridged version

What disappointed you about From Beirut to Jerusalem?

I had read this book back when it first came out. I purchased the audio book to listen to (while driving) in preparation for our trip to Israel. I was quite disappointed that much of the guts of the book was removed in this version. I had to go back to my hard cover.

14 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Typical pro-Israel slant

The narratives about Lebanon are interesting, but as soon as he starts discussing Israel/Palestine, it turns into the standard pro-Israel rationale. Comparing the time leading up to the 6 day war (in which Israel was the aggressor) with the holocaust is standard, one-sided western bias. To gloss over such events with false assumptions and limited historical context is extremely irresponsible. If you like books that are written like a poorly researched newspaper article, this is great for you.

5 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

They choose the past over the future

Enlightening memoir of reporters' experience in the early stages of the dismantling of Beiruit and then his subsequent time in Israel. Clearly discouraged, he describes firsthand the suffering of families and their culture in the palistinian/israeli escalation. He gives some historical perspective that helped me to understand the timeline of the events after '47 establishment of Israel . I recommend this book for those who want to folllow the peace process this year in Washington. Will they choose to be modern or tribal?

5 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

We are so blessed in America!

Wonderful read and very entertaining. I was amazed at what some people go through in their daily life. This book has a light and sometimes humorous tone, but also educates the average listener about a very complex part of the world that most of us will never understand. I really enjoyed this book and even listened to it twice just so my wife could hear it. I laughed out loud through many spots. He is a very engaging writer and it was read well. If you like other books by Friedman you will not be disappointed.

6 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

COLLECTIVE GUILT - GIVEN AND RECEIVED

Growing up in postwar NYC, as the only non-Jew in my public school classes, I was very much aware of the holocaust.

The idea proposed in this book rings true to me. Jews are infused with victimization and want everyone else to feel guilty about it.

This dynamic is Israel's problem. However, Israel's problem is a problem for the entire world. The Middle East is the thorn in the world's side and this book points out why this thorn is not about to be removed anytime soon. It's been how long? Oh right, over 35 years.

Let's hope it is resolved sooner than the US resolved slavery (over 75 years) and then racial equality (another 100 years).

2 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

It's not really a book

This is merely an accounting of remembrances of the author. His memories are shocking and recalled with precise detail, however he does little to explain WHY there is such turmoil in Israel and Palestine. I'm sorry I waisted my time and money on it. it is a shame because the author is obviously talented, and there is a story there (somewhere), just not here.

4 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Thomas Friedman does it again

Great performance and overall very interesting teaching the history of the Arab Israeli conflict. Couldn’t put it down.

1 personne a trouvé cela utile

Very short, anecdotal without detail

I listened to the audio version of this book, and was very surprised when it came to an abrupt end. I thought perhaps I had only downloaded a sample. While the experiences he shared we’re captivating, I know very little more than I did before listening. I was expecting some historical facts but only got some observations about the chaos of Beirut. Disappointing.

1 personne a trouvé cela utile

Interesting perspective on Israel

I agree with a previous reviewer that the author's voice is a bit high pitched for the seriousness of the text. However, I excuse this since the author is telling us his own story, and these really are his words. Also, his reading is dynamic and never boring or mechanical.

The first half gives an interesting perspective on what it is like to be in Lebanon.

What I found most interesting was the second half regarding Israel. Being a Jewish author gives Friedman credibility when discussing the feelings of the Israelis. Even though I had read quite a bit on this subject (I strongly recommend O Jerusalem by Lapierre), I was enlightened by the clear description of the three aspects of the future Israeli state that Ben-Gurion and subsequent leaders dealt with. This alone makes the book worth listening too as this basic aspect of the formation of a Jewish State is fundamental to all understanding of this major world issue. Having some background in the geography and history will greatly enable the listener to follow the discussions about the Labor and Likud parties.

Because this abridged version is short, it is easy enough to get through, and I recommend it.

1 personne a trouvé cela utile

Mostly Jerusalem

I absolutely love Thomas Friedmans work, however, I felt that Jerusalem/Israel was very detailed and informative but was hoping to understand Lebanon's turmoil and civil war a little more. I felt some key information was missing (why the civil war? who were the key players? how the religion played a part in all of this, what happened in Sabra and Shatila?) Thomas Friedman is such a brilliant journalist, I was just hoping for more political information about Beirut.