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cencula's review against another edition
3.0
Izzeldin has amazing strength and hope for his people. An inspiring and heartbreaking story of the reality of living in Gaza.
mturk043's review against another edition
3.0
Decent autobiography of a Gazan MD who lost some family to Israeli shelling in the 2008 war.
bookwormmichelle's review against another edition
5.0
Powerful, beautifully written story. I remember hearing about this a couple of years ago but had not read the book. The author grew up in a Palestinian refugee camp in Gaza, managed to rise from poverty and become a doctor, fought for political and medical rights for Palestinians, and then after the untimely death of his wife, three of his eight children were killed in a rocket attack during an Israeli incursion into Gaza. Yet he still, through his hurt and anger, chooses to believe in peace and justice. I was very touched by this story. I have to confess that sometimes I tend to lean toward the Israeli position--these people are attacking them, they have to protect themselves. But after reading this book, I have a much better understanding of what is occurring and am much more sympathetic. I used to think "Oh, a border crossing--you show your id and walk through" but this is not at ALL what it is like to get into and out of the territories as a Palestinian. I had no idea the depth of deprivation and humiliation Palestinians have to endure, and I don't think I will ever forget this story--especially as the author tries to reach his critically ill wife and is held up at border crossings and checkpoints and takes hours and hours to reach her. This is a must-read for someone trying to understand the issues in the Middle East, and it's a lovely, heartfelt, occasionally heart-breaking read. Highly recommended.
kiwikathleen's review against another edition
4.0
I cried when the children died.
That isn't a spoiler, because everything here is part of the historical account, and there is nothing in it that is new, But there is so much in this book that is really important to read - if you ever start thinking that modern Israel is justified in its treatment of the Palestinians, just read this for the effect of 70 years of 'imprisonment' on a people.
A powerful memoir.
That isn't a spoiler, because everything here is part of the historical account, and there is nothing in it that is new, But there is so much in this book that is really important to read - if you ever start thinking that modern Israel is justified in its treatment of the Palestinians, just read this for the effect of 70 years of 'imprisonment' on a people.
A powerful memoir.
michellegotto's review against another edition
5.0
this story is so heartbreaking - you can't imagine how this man is still breathing, let alone still trying to create peace is this broken part of the world. an amazing, ultimately uplifting story.
leemac027's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
Although written in 2010, this book is even more relevant today as the Middle East continues to be in tumult and the ongoing violence between Israel and the Palestinian people escalates.
This book shows the daily life of Palestinians, the day-to-day difficulties, danger, violence and tragedy. Just getting access to water, electricity and food is hard. Anything that involves travel through any of the border crossings (when they are open) to exit Gaza involves mountains of paperwork and approvals and even if that is completed, it could depend on the mood of the border guard on the day as to whether you can cross the border in 1 hour, 20 hours or not at all, and then you have to try and get back in.
Izzeldin Abuelaish, a doctor who lived in Gaza and worked in Israeli hospitals, is someone who you would think would be full of hate and revenge. Three of his daughters and a niece were killed by the IDF in a missile strike on his home. Regardless of this tragedy he still believes that peace can be achieved - there is no future in hate.
His own words: "it is quite astonishing to realise how similar our two peoples are, in the way we raise our children, in the importance of family and extended family, and in the animated style with which we like to tell stories. We're argumentative, expressive, emotional people. We share the Semitic religions and languages. We have many more similarities than differences, and yet for sixty years we haven't been able to bridge the divide between us."
Even though he now lives in Canada, he continues his work to achieve peace through the Daughters For Life Foundation set up in memory of his lost girls. https://daughtersforlife.com/ Its aim is to create accessible education opportunities for young women from the Middle East and to help them become strong, well-informed women that are able to speak up and change their communities and the face of the world.
His belief is that education and understanding will lead the way to peace. It has to be a better path that what is still happening today.
A book that should be on every shelf.
This book shows the daily life of Palestinians, the day-to-day difficulties, danger, violence and tragedy. Just getting access to water, electricity and food is hard. Anything that involves travel through any of the border crossings (when they are open) to exit Gaza involves mountains of paperwork and approvals and even if that is completed, it could depend on the mood of the border guard on the day as to whether you can cross the border in 1 hour, 20 hours or not at all, and then you have to try and get back in.
Izzeldin Abuelaish, a doctor who lived in Gaza and worked in Israeli hospitals, is someone who you would think would be full of hate and revenge. Three of his daughters and a niece were killed by the IDF in a missile strike on his home. Regardless of this tragedy he still believes that peace can be achieved - there is no future in hate.
His own words: "it is quite astonishing to realise how similar our two peoples are, in the way we raise our children, in the importance of family and extended family, and in the animated style with which we like to tell stories. We're argumentative, expressive, emotional people. We share the Semitic religions and languages. We have many more similarities than differences, and yet for sixty years we haven't been able to bridge the divide between us."
Even though he now lives in Canada, he continues his work to achieve peace through the Daughters For Life Foundation set up in memory of his lost girls. https://daughtersforlife.com/ Its aim is to create accessible education opportunities for young women from the Middle East and to help them become strong, well-informed women that are able to speak up and change their communities and the face of the world.
His belief is that education and understanding will lead the way to peace. It has to be a better path that what is still happening today.
A book that should be on every shelf.
aschwartau's review against another edition
5.0
Heartbreaking and massively inspiring. I've never read a memoir quite like this. Not knowing that much about the Palestine/Israeli conflict before reading this, I learned a lot, and am astounded at the grace and compassion displayed the author, a Palestinian dedicated to serving humanity through his medical practice, who has suffered many indignities and tragic losses at the hands of the Israelis (namely the lives of three daughters and a niece). His story of rising above hatred and choose to love and serve despite of (and maybe because of) the daily struggles his people face was just so beautiful and inspiring. No wonder this man has been nominated multiple times for a Nobel Peace prize!!!
I highly recommend this memoir to anyone who may struggle with their own antagonistic feelings towards any group(s) of people, or anyone who wants to learn more about daily life in the middle east or about the Israeli/Palestinian relations, or who wants to be inspired in their own faith and humanity.
Just a beautiful memoir. Keep the tissues nearby.
I highly recommend this memoir to anyone who may struggle with their own antagonistic feelings towards any group(s) of people, or anyone who wants to learn more about daily life in the middle east or about the Israeli/Palestinian relations, or who wants to be inspired in their own faith and humanity.
Just a beautiful memoir. Keep the tissues nearby.
hmicheles's review against another edition
3.0
I have so much respect for anyone who can rise from really adverse situations and not only obtain an education but promote peace even when they have been given every reason not to such as Izzeldin Abuelaish. What an amazing man he is and thank goodness that there are individuals such as himself that can rise above violence and see every one as human beings wanting and needing the same basic needs in life.
The parts of this book that were the most interesting to me, and ultimately the most compelling, were when he was discussing his life as a Palestinian. I felt that was most eye opening to show that people everywhere around the world are essentially the same.
The parts of this book that were the most interesting to me, and ultimately the most compelling, were when he was discussing his life as a Palestinian. I felt that was most eye opening to show that people everywhere around the world are essentially the same.
donnawr1's review against another edition
5.0
I have so much respect for people like Izzeldin. The world would be a better place if there were more people like him and if the world listened more to people like him. So nice to hear such a strong Muslim voice for peace and living well with others. An inspiration to Christians, Jews and Muslims alike.