The Holy Land

Rating:
Summary: Great Political Satire meets Sci-Fi
Review: -Mankinds last hope might just be a captured soldier considered a lab specimen sent to kill aliens who don't consider us human and who can basically wipe us out with the push of a button...
-A sometimes funny, sometimes thought provoking, story brought to us by a visionary in Martian colinization. Zubrin weaves the worlds of political satire and sci-fi in a fairly liberal and poinient story of current world events just real enough to make you stop and think, and yet with enough plot twist, and 'one-liners' to tickle your funny bone.
-I would recomend this book to anyone interested in world events, Sci-Fi, political satire ... and just about anyone else.

Rating:
Summary: A fun look at terrorism
Review: A willing suspension of disbelief, the pre-requisite for reading fiction, quickly gives way to amazement and delight as Robert Zubrin leads us through a really fun look at terrorism in the parallel universe of "The Holy Land." Rallying behind the high-flown credo "For Reason, Love and Justice - Everywhere and Forever" the Western Galactic Empire is forced to literally come "down to earth" to deal with the pesky Earthlings who threaten their vital energy supplies. The flash-point for conflict is a colony of stubbornly monotheistic Minervans, rescued from extermination and resettled by the WGE in their ancient homeland, which just happens to be in the territory of a reluctant, but opportunistic, host... the United States of America!

This is no-holds-barred satire, wherein no sacred cow escapes un-gored, trillions are slaughtered for no good reason and an earthling meets a priestess... and takes her home to meet his folks. Amid theological disputes fueled by pride and greed and fought with sci-fi weaponry, we catch a tragi-comic glimpse of ourselves in all our naked (and smelly) humanity. A real treat!

Rating:
Summary: Not great fiction. Not great satire. Great concept.
Review: After reading several reviews of this book (including one published in The National Review), I ran to get it. As a fan of science fiction and political satire, and strongly pro-Israel, I expected this book to be a refreshing and witty presentation of the insanity that we call the Israeli-Arab "peace" process.

If you are looking for a great science fiction novel - there are better ones out there. If you are looking for a great political satire novel - there are better ones out there. However, the concept of using science fiction to portray the Israel-Arab "conflict" in terms that the average Western reader can appreciate is highly admirable.

Most Westerners cannot understand the incredible illogic that rules the Israeli-Arab conflict as it relates to the UN, the European Union and, in part, the United States. Zubrin "de-mystifies" the matter by "reframing" the Israeli-Arab conflict in a setting that Western readers can clearly identify with.

I am glad that I read the book. It was a mildly entertaining and thought provoking use of my time. It did not, however, completely meet my (high) expectations of a sharp and witty look at the Israeli-Arab situation. And, there are a few misspellings in the book that detracted from the overall professionalism of the book.

Rating:
Summary: ¿The Holy Land¿ is a satirical masterpiece...
Review: Bravo to Robert Zubrin for forcing us to see the world through alien eyes. In "The Holy Land", Zubrin gives us a brilliant parody on the war on terror by placing Americans in the role of religious suicidal extremists - a role we seem more apt to fulfill everyday - and the Western Galactic Empire in the role of benign but stupidly arrogant peacemaker.

There are parallels here to almost every aspect of our modern political world. The book pivots a zealous American President against a small group of space refugees (the Minervans) who have made a home for themselves in the Washington town of Kennewick. The religious war to expel these relatively peaceful "pagans" attracts the attention of the hugely powerful but inept Western Galactic Empire after Christian suicidal bombers, in a bid to get the galaxy's attention, destroys one of the empire's inhabited planets. The WGE, or Weegees as they are called, are unwilling to offend either side (mostly because they need to keep up their lucrative trade in "helicity" that was discovered under the soil of the United States,) and this just causes the bloodbath to get worse.

Caught in the middle is the story of POW sergeant Andrew Hamilton and his beautiful Minervian captor Aurora. Their growing admiration and respect for each other takes the book into some hilarious situations; Earthlings stink so horribly to Minervians and their minds are so chaotic that the idea of loving such a "savage" is repugnant. Aurora, however, can't help but fall for this proud, if primitive, soldier who tries so hard to prove to her that he is a "human being".

"The Holy Land" is a satirical masterpiece, a funny romp that uses science fiction to get it's points across while never ceasing to entertain us with lovable characters, despicable villains, and a compelling story of galactic war.

At times the book makes its readers teary-eyed with laughter, other times frustrated with the outrageous behavior of humans and aliens alike - it is in this frustration when Zubrin's brilliance most clearly shines, for we are forced to see the ridiculousness of our own world situation. What "Dr. Strangelove" was to the cold war, "The Holy Land" is to the war on terror and the clash of civilizations.

Rating:
Summary: A Tale of Good and Evil - Insight & Humour in the Mid -East
Review: I bought Holy Land because Robert earned my utmost respect by his vision, scientific expertise and practical attitude displayed by writing "The Case for Mars", "Entering Space: Creating a Spacefaring Civilization" and most importantly by founding the Mars Society at http://www.marssociety.org/. (which I believe has the most visionary Founding Decleration / Mission that I have ever encountered)

I did not realise that he could be incredibly funny too!

However, it is not terribly funny when children blow themselves up with the idea of harming as many others as they possibly can.

Robert's view of the causes and the political machinations keeping the Israeli/Arab conflict going is enough to drive you to rage and tears. And, sadly enough, there is probably more truth in this than one would like to know.

I recommend this book to anyone who would like to read a page-turner, have a laugh, get really angry, read a love story and understand a bit more about morals and the world we live in. (If I left anyone out, please include yourself!). I have recommended this book to all my friends

Rating:
Summary: A thought-provoking political satire regarding the state of
Review: Imagine if you would a place where there is no separation of church and state. Imagine also that in that place young children are martyred - in exchange for a "handsome cash bonus, guaranteed, within 10 business days of the event." Imagine now a place where the sound of a blaring siren fills the air as the inhabitants of that place drop to their knees and chant in the direction of a place perceived as "the Holy Land." Now I must ask you to imagine that this place is - the United States of America!

This is a story primarily about two peoples, the inhabitants of Kennewick, Washington and the Minervans. The Kennewickians are earthlings that simply reside in or come from Kennewick and the Minervans are "refugees" from a distant planet who claim that Kennewick is their ancient homeland - and they want it back!

In this struggle, both sides are equally repulsive in many ways to each other. The Politicians from the United States, who are driven by greed and media image, cannot defeat the Minervans through forceful military means, mainly because the Minervans are telepaths and are well aware of the soldiers thoughts as they engage in combat. Therefore they use the Kennewickians as pawns in this despicable "chess game". The American politicians send the Kennewickians off to a refugee camp to make the Minervans feel remorse for what they are doing. They also send in children as martyrs, again to make the Minervans feel bad.

The Minervans hail from the Central Galactic Empire - which is part of a conglomerate of planets organized to monitor and sometimes regulate the activities of their subjects, with the liberal Western Galactic Empire in the lead role. The Western Galactic Empire, although they are technically advanced and able to control the thoughts and actions of the Kennewickians, ultimately controls the Minervans. They too become pawns in this battle for Kennewick.

As the two political battles are waged, enter our two main characters. Sergeant Andrew Hamilton, a POW from a failed attempt to defeat the Minervans and Priestess 3rd Class Aurora, she is the Minervan who captured this Army Ranger to keep as a "study specimen" with the hopes of making him "human".

Can these two individuals stop the decay that threatens the galaxy? Well, the ending will definitely surprise you and the journey from the first page to the last will be enjoyable. This book captivated me and took my thought process to a higher level. Robert Zubrin's book should find a place at the top of your "Must Read" list. Written in a way that can satisfy a multitude of genres, target audiences and age groups, "The Holy Land" has something for every one.

Rating:
Summary: The Holy Land
Review: In one real world, a country's President, full of bravado, arrives via fighter jet on the deck of an aircraft carrier. He presents the face of a plainspoken man - a Christian man - a man with a penchant for the transmogrification of his native language. He is here on this occasion to proclaim an end to major hostilities in the country's latest war. At one point during his address to the ship's compliment (and to the camera's beaming his speech around the globe), he looks up to the ship's observation deck and holds up both arms to the roar of hundreds of sailors who had crowded the area. Hanging from the ship's superstructure behind the President is a sign stating boldly for the world to read: "Mission Accomplished." These scenes are masterfully choreographed to drive home a message of strength and success. Six months and too many deaths, maimings, and amputations later this man disavows any connection with the ship's war message.

In another, not so real world, a President learns that a section of his country has been invaded and settled by an outside force - Minervan refugees from oppression in the central galaxy who claim Kennewick, Washington as their ancient homeland. Upon learning these invaders worship a different god, the President turns to his Secretary of Defense telling him to "Mobilize the armed forces, I want those pagans exterminated by Sunday." Forty-thousand deaths later, the President is warned that the invader's overwhelming military superiority is decimating his military - it is time to look toward settling this war. The President exclaims indignantly that " . . . total victory is practically within our grasp, and you want to stop fighting?"

Science Fiction, when done well, can be an amazing tool by which the writer can share his or her view of the world. All of our contradictions, absurdities, and outright foolishness can be reflected back at us in a distorted mirror of parody and just plain fun. Within this genre, the whole spectrum of substantial societal issues can, and often are, discussed. Perhaps because of my age, Star Trek and Isaac Asimov are the most salient sci-fi icons in my mind - these sparks set an entire generation's imagination free. Into this fertile field of giants steps Robert Zubrin, well known aerospace engineer and President of the International Mars Society.

Zubrin's most recent offering is titled The Holy Land. In the author's words, "this is a satire on the Middle East crisis and the War on Terrorism. Throughout the work, Zubrin pokes fun at and even mocks many of our deeply held folkways and mores placing them squarely under the spotlight for all to examine. What ends up happening is that the astute reader is given the opportunity to read at least three good books bundled in one.

First, there was a good sci-fi tale that pits protagonist against antagonist in the midst of some rather murky, multi layered, social conflict. I enjoyed reading that book because the humorous tone and measured pace were a joy to partake of at the end of a long day after the family had gone to bed. Then there was the story that Zubrin told me he meant to write. This story creates a set of circumstances allowing the author to parody the Middle East conflict in madcap style with different factions playing the Israelis, the Palestinians, the Anglo-Americans, the Saudis, the Europeans, the UN, and so forth.s The milieu of violence and mistrust that has surrounded that unending conflict for so many years is explosive and can not help but lend itself to a satirical eye. The third story is one formed in my own mind as I read through Zubrin's words. It is always the case with literature that the author's intent is transubstantiated from the thing it was meant to be to the thing the reader wants it to be. This is the case here too. While one can easily see the parallels Zubrin draws between the conflicted Americans and Minervans, it is also easy to disregard the parties in this conflict in favor of bigger issues. What role should government play in the everyday lives of people? Should the government exercise hegemony over the individual in its attempt to maintain continuing stability for the collective? How much information should the people be provided access to?

In The Holy Land, Robert Zubrin creates a time and place where governments and the people who control power, work in shady gray areas. People are kept alive on a steady diet of bread and circus while power brokers advance themselves on the backs of an unknowing populace. No matter what book you end up reading here, you will enjoy yourself. This book is well worth the read.

--- Reviewed by
Timothy E. McMahon, M.S.
Executive Editor
[e-mail]

Rating:
Summary: everso unholy!
Review: Leave the righteousness of your chauvinism on the cover of Robert Zubrin's latest book, because it is an equal opportunity offender.

A thought-provoking parody of a hard science fiction & political science thriller about aliens from outer space returning to their American homeland with way more sophisticated ideas & weapons; the politics of an American fundamentalist religious administation; the exploration of what really is good & evil, patriotism & freedom.

That this futuristic tale bears every resemblance to what we are experiencing in the Middle East is no coincidence, & you surely will come away from reading THE HOLY LAND with a much clearer grasp of what is really happening in that troubled region. RebeccasReads kids you not!

Rating:
Summary: Move over Vonnegut!
Review: Move over Kurt Vonnegut! I never imagined a book about the War on Terrorism could be funny, but "The Holy Land" is a total hoot. Zubrin's satiric wit is absolutely mercilous, and brilliantly equally offensive to all the deserving parties. I couldn't put this book down. Parts of it had me literally rolling on the floor with laughter, and parts had me in tears. I predict this book will be a classic. Bravo!

Rating:
Summary: Bigotry pretending to be satire?
Review: Robert Zubrin's extended sci-fi allegory is the latest in a deluge of pro-Israeli writings in the U.S. since the end of WWII. Other reviewers have outlined the narrative, so I'll cut right to the sly bigotry Zubrin reveals in explaining modern Palestinian history to us.

Zubrin, like most Israelis, conveniently represents Arabs as a single nation, rather than a group of nations that share a common racial and cultural heritage. He uses this invented "nation" to blame the Arabs for not assimilating Palestinian refugees, instead of focusing on Israel's illegal refusal to allow civilian Palestinians their UN-mandated right to return to their ancestral villages. If this were Serbia, someone might refer to Israel's policy as "ethnic cleansing." However it's our old buddy, Israel, so international law doesn't seem to apply. Just as it clearly doesn't apply to Israel's documented possession of illegal nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons of mass destruction.

Zubrin fails to communicate the emotional outrage the Palestinians must have felt when the US/UN carved a Jewish state out of Arab Palestine. He fails to justify Israel's ongoing annexation of the small, dry, land-locked remnant of Palestine that the UN left to the native Palestinians in 1948.

America's one-sided support for Israel since 1948 has triggered global terrorism today, just as its one-sided support for Shah Pahlevi created the conditions for Islamic fundamentalism in Iran in 1979. The bloody results of these ignorant, self-defeating policies have become too horrifying to ignore; just as Mr. Zubrin's book cannot be dismissed as a clumsy allegory. In light of the recent Madrid bombing, this latest serving of Israeli propoganda can have no readers - only victims.