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Once Upon a Country: A Palestinian Life |  | Author: Sari Nusseibeh
Creator: Anthony David
Publisher: Picador
Category: Book
List Price: $16.00
Buy New: $11.93
as of 9/9/2010 11:58 MDT details
You Save: $4.07 (25%)
New (9) Used (9) from $4.47
Seller: Media Excellence
Rating:  20 reviews
Sales Rank: 245775
Format: Bargain Price
Media: Paperback
Pages: 584
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.1
Dimensions (in): 8.2 x 5.4 x 1.4
Dewey Decimal Number: 915
ASIN: B002N2XE7Y
Publication Date: April 29, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
A New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice
A teacher, a scholar, a philosopher, and an eyewitness to history, Sari Nusseibeh is one of our most urgent and articulate authorities on the conflict in the Middle East. From his time teaching side by side with Israelis at the Hebrew University through his appointment by Yasir Arafat to administer the Arab Jerusalem, he has held fast to the principles of freedom and equality for all, and his story dramatizes the consequences of war, partition, and terrorism as few other books have done. This autobiography brings rare depth and compassion to the story of his country. |
| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 20
 Please don't fight August 27, 2010
O. Awad
I had a different review in mind when I logged into my Amazon account, I read some of the other reviews and realized that the middle east clash and difference in points of view is even brought here; to section that is supposed to review a book, I realized that the lack of objectivity, and tinting things with person opinions don't stop when you read a book, if you read a book, some of the reviewers here clearly didn't read the book, they just brought their pre-existing point of view and just posted it here.
I agree that some of the accounts in this book are mildly exaggerated; probably to make it more palatable to readers and enhance the way it flows. Sure Nusseibeh was born to a rich family but that also means he had more to lose, Sure he was highly educated but that also means he has a better understanding for the root of the conflict.
For those reviewers who say he is bent on the destruction of Israel; you obviously didn't read the book as he over and over repeats his opinion that the Nation of Israel has Legal, International and Ethical right to exist, not to exist as a state of secular principals, but as a state with a clear Jewish Identity. He repeats his opinion that the right of return to the millions of Palestinian refugees is not practical and can't be accomplished thus another means of compensation is needed. How can that be destructive to Israel? He believes and reiterates that what is destructive to both Nations is the continued attacks and counter attacks carried by the Army and the extremists. He repeats that continuous demagoguery while serves the few does hurt the majority the silent majority at both sides that is.
There is a lot of despair and injustice all over the world, more so at that part of the world. While everybody is deeply engrossed in a deep debate about who's fault it is? or who started the fight, innocent people at both side of the conflict suffer and countless people with no fault pay the price. Humans are capable of ending this vicious cycle of violence but we can't do so until we first acknowledge that we need to move away from how it started to how can we end it.
Now let me give my opinion about this book, I really enjoyed reading it. It was slightly exaggerated I believe for dramatic effect but all in all it was candid memoirs of a privileged highly educated and extremely intelligent Palestinian. To me it became more interesting as it started describing more recent events. It does carry Nusseibeh's point of view all through but it is his memoirs so it is supposed to do that. If you have a strong unmovable pre-existing opinion about the middle east conflict without the smallest chance of identifying with another point of view then you probably should skip this book and continue to live in your dark world of ignorance and demagoguery. If you want to learn more about points of view outside the tradition book and listen to an insiders account of the conflict and explore possible solutions then I encourage you to read this book and formulate your own ideas about it. After all this is what professor Nusseibeh would want you to do. He would want you to challenge the traditional preconceived notions and build your own.
A much needed perspective May 1, 2010
Matthew Smith (TN USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This conflict needs more intelligent, self-critical people such as Sari Nusseibeh. His story is a fascinating look into this conflict, the nature of occupation and the pain of seeing such a tragedy unfold. What comes through so powerfully is the pyrrhic nature of this conflict. Each and every blow struck by either side inevitably does equal, if not greater, damage to the aggressor. It is a tragic and absurd tale at the same time.
What I like most about this book is the author's ability to be introspective and self-critical. While he recognizes the injustices that have been inflicted on his people, he does not absolve them of their many and varied failings as well. He refuses to blame the Palestinians problems on outside factors, but instead shines a very bright light on the problems that eminate from within the Palestinian community as well as in the greater Arab world in general.
The most important aspect of this book is the author's discussion of nonviolent resistance. I fully agree with his analysis that the Palestinian's greatest weapon in their arsenal is nonviolence. This technique has proven itself to be very affective, and when it has been used by the Palestinians it has garnered them a lot positive attention. All too often, though, too many Palestinians seem to want to take Algeria as their example rather than India or the U.S. As long as the extremists are allowed to dictate the terms of the conflict the Palestinians will follow the path of Algeria and this is very unfortunate.
It is important for these moderate voices to be heard, and this is why this work needs to be read. The majorities of both peoples want peace and an end to violence, and both sides know what it is going to take to achieve this in the end. As long as the extremes on both sides get to dictate this conflict there will be no peace, only more tragedy. What makes this conflict so absurd is the fact that both people need each other. Israel will never be a moral, representative state until a viable Palestinian state is formed, and Israel is able to grant the Palestinians within Israel a truly equal status within the state. This cannot be achieved without Israel's recognition of the past injustices they have committed, and an understanding that their fate is inextricably linked with that of the Palestinians. The Palestinians must recognize the futility of violence and recognize their past mistakes and crimes committed against the Israeli's. Their's is a moral claim to justice, and their only path to state hood is through making this case. Violence against the Israeli's destroys their own moral claims which hurts them much more than the Israelis. Sari Nusseibeh makes this case eloquently and diligently. This is why his voice needs to be heard.
very important read April 1, 2010
GSI (New York, NY United States)
this is a very important read. i recommend all us citizens read it to realize how fortunate they are and how others suffer.
a landmark perspective March 23, 2009
E. Todras (Eugene, OR USA)
This beautifully written book is both a memoir and a history. The author was born in 1947, as the State of Israel came into existence. His life story parallels the status of the Palestinians in Israel, as his family loses their home in Jerusalem. Now the president of Al Quds University in the West Bank, Mr. Nusseibeh offers an articulate, balanced, and moderate perspective of the twisted history of the Israelis and Palestinians, and he suggests ways that the conflict can be resolved equitably. I found this one of the most powerful books I have read about the conflict, and I recommend it to one and all.
very,very good book February 8, 2009
Mensur Deva (US)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
It is similar with other situations in the world where force is rule upon inocent people.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 20
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