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Summary: If you only read one book on the Middle East...
Review: this should be the book! From Beirut to Jersalem is an incredible eyewitness account of life in the turmoil of the Middle East, and Friedman tells it with intellect, charm, and a passion for the land and its peoples. Like Friedman, one trip to the Middle East was all it took for it to become part of the very fabric of my soul. From Beirut to Jerusalem helps articulate the many reasons and complicated shadings why the the region is so intoxicating. His slant appears to me to be somewhat pro-Palestinian (my opinion only), but he cleanly draws the line between factual reporting and his personal viewpoint. His journalistic training clearly shows and, as a result, the book is both educational and a treat to read.
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Summary: Necessary Reading
Review: This is an essential book for anyone even remotely interested in the Middle East. Thomas Friedman discusses his personal experiences as a journalist in Beirut during the Lebanon War of the early 80s and in Jerusalem during the Palestianian riots of the late 80s. FROM BEIRUT TO JERUSALEM is interesting and informative yet humorous and entertaining.
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Summary: Good Book on Seldom Understood Part of the World!
Review: Those of you who follow and followed the events in the Middle East, Persian Gulf and the Gulf War, but seek a broader explanation of the sources of antagonism and conflict in the ARab world, would be enlightened and entertained by FRiedman's book. A Pulitzer prize winning correspondent for the New York Times, he spent ten years in Beirut and Jerusalem reporting first handthe violence, suspicion and hatred that is part of life in that region. The standing norm in the Middle East, according to Friedman is what he calls "Hama Rules" the pitiless and remorseless pursuit of political and economic ends through bloodshed. This attitude is rampant in all of its regimes, including Israel. Its source is the tribal politics and and deep rooted political tradition of authoritarianism, as well s the centuries of colonialism and subjugation that the region's peoples have endured. With a reporters eye for detail, Friedman analyzes many of the decisions that are familiar to us: the Reagan decision to send marines to Lebanon, The Palestenian uprising in Israel, the history of the PLO and the Arab-Israeli conflict are all analyzed in detail. Friedman is careful to point outthat the region's conflicts are not merely between Arab and Jew, but between Muslims and Christians, between Arabs, between different Muslim sects and different nation-states. In fact, Friedman finds the region's complexities beyond the comprehension of most American diplomats (no surprise!). This lack of understanding has resulted in numerous foreign policy blunders by the U.S. The first version of the book was written prior to the Gulf War, but its observations are still relevant, though you can now get a new edition. Hussein's regime is discussed at length and characterized as merely the latest version of "Hama Rules." Despite possible bias as a result of his Jewish heritage, Friedmans reporting is critical of both the Israeli's brutal treatment of the palestenians and of the PLO's disregard for the lives of its own people. My one criticism of the book is that Friedman has an idealized view of the nature of a Jewish state. This is to his credit, but as a result he often holds the Israeli's to a higher moral standard in their behavior than he does the other nations and groups, especially the PLO. But for those of us who believe in the power of reason to settle disputes and are infected with American optimism and values, the book is a grim reminder that there are places in the world that operate very differently from what we understand. He explains many of these differences in the book, often thru his deft personal touch and numerous firsthand experiences. Highly recommended!
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Summary: a must-read for comprehension of Arab-Israeli Conflict
Review: I highly recommend this book. I took a course in the Arab-Israeli Conflict in college and most of the books and scholarly articles were extremely dry and tedious to read, but this book is extremely engaging and readable, and not as must of a chore to digest as the bulk of the others.
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Summary: Origins of a quagmire
Review: Mr. Friedman's From Beirut to Jerusalem casts light into the obscure origins of a conflict which, to Western eyes at least, is nothing short of mystifying. It made me realize that our pro-Zionist, Western culture is oftentimes much too eager to blame Arab leaders and people for the difficulties which haunt the region, and at the same time it elucidated the mystery of Jewish identity, which explains many of their actions (i.e., sense of inferiority, of being the "eternal victims of history"). I myself once held the (spurious) belief that Arabs (Iranians, Palestinians, Syrians) were all terrorists. But, with books such as this one, we soon come to realize that nothing is black and white (how many times must we be told this before we start applying it in our lives?). I have newfound respect for all the peoples and religions depicted in this book. Overall, this is a balanced, compassionate work with numerous instances of brilliant journalism. Everybody interested in the region should absolutely read this work. It also allows us to meet other influential thinkers - the likes of his friend Fuad Adjami - whose books, articles and views are altogether enlightening. All in all, Mr. Friedman's book made me realize that Mr. Barak's actions (read rapprochement) are nothing short of heroic, and it is because of men like him that, one day, perhaps, Palestine and Israel will be able to live as two neighboring "nations," whose nature remains to be determined. Can it be done? With Mr. Barak, or people like him, I believe it is possible. A commendable endeavor, made all the more appreciable thanks to Mr. Friedman's journalistic foray. (Note: I haven't read the updated edition, in which a chapter has been added.)
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Summary: Essential for a better understanding of the Middle East
Review: Those who know little of the Middle East and want to know more are advised to start with Thomas Friedman's classic "From Beirut to Jerusalem." Friedman spent the tumultuous 1980s as a reporter for the New York Times in both of the title cities. As a Jew, his heroism in remaining in Beirut during the abduction period cannot be understated. Also, given his ethnicity, his appraisal of Israel and its conflict with the Palestinians is frank and eye-opening. Friedman is an excellent writer and reporter and he presents his images and insights with sharp clarity. Though the events he reports may be over a decade past, they are still quite relevant today.
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Summary: Top Notch Read
Review: This is easily one of the most informative and nonbiased accounts I have read on Israeli-Palestinian realations in a while. Blends both history and the authors personal experiences well. It was recommended to me by my late grandfather, a true arabist, and I now recommend it to you. Even if you are only slightly interested in the subject, I still suggest you to pick up a copy. Other recommendations are anything by Bernard Lewis, or David Fromkin's A Peace to End all Peace.
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Summary: Enjoyable and impartial
Review: It really was a pleasure reading this book. Friedman explains clearly the war in Lebanon: the causes and the events. And it not limited only to Lebanon and Israel. His analysis includes Syria, the Palestinians, and to a lesser extend the other countries of the region. This book is filled with anecdotes, which allow a smooth reading of a subject otherwise very blur and complicated. Friedman tells you about his apartment building in Beirut being blown up, or about the warlord who is waking up the owner of a delicatessen in the middle of the night for some ... caviar. If you are curious about what happened in the Middle East, but don't want to spent ages dwelling on many complicated political books, then I highly recommend this book. It should be enough.
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Summary: Read this to understand the Middle East better
Review: This is without doubt one of the best books ever written about the Middle, treating the events between 1979 to 1988. I started to get interested in the Near East at the beginning of the 90ies and was looking for books that would help me to explain me the situation also back in the recent past. This is the best book I found. Friedman shares with us his own experiences, delivers us all important facts about this time and especially gives us a deep insight in both sides of the conflict, giving preference to neither of them, offering to the reader the decision to choose their camp, if they feel like. This book has helped me a great deal in understanding the different factions, their actions and motivations much clearly than any other book.
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Summary: Surprisingly Honest
Review: My first thought when i picked up this book was that it would be another Pro-Israel propaganda book (the fact that a Jewish reporter was the author didnt help matters much), but as i delved into the book, i began to realize something; Thomas Friedman was in search of the truth. He isnt scared to damn the Israelis (and he sometimes is too critical of them, as if he feels betrayed), but then again he also finds many of the reasons why a Civil War occurred in Lebanon. This book has really helped define my perception of the region and the way that those countries interact even though it was written some 12 years ago. Basically, the first half of the book is comprised of this author's adventures in war-time Lebanon and how that background played against the political maneuverings of warring factions. The second half of the book is both an analysis of Israeli life and the soul-searching of a man who has felt betrayed (much like Martin Luther i imagine, but not as important). This book is riveting. get it dagnamit! peace gum2me?
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