Reviews

This book tells the story of an unfolding tradegy through fact and anedotes. A tradegy because it doesn't need to be, but because of ignorance, fear, and hate, Israel is continuing on a path of destruction at break neck speed, which will only lead to death and misery of Palestinians and Israelis alike. A must-read book to understand Israel. It is hard to read as John Lyons clearly outlines the monsterous harm being enacted on Palestine by Israel, often using laws to enact control ,inequity and injustice to have power over the daily lives of millions of Palestinianss that have been subjected to over 50 years of occupation. But the author does not hate Israelis. There is deep sorrow that not only is Israel inflicting great suffering on Palestinians, it is on a path that will unleash bloodshed and misery of both Palestinians and Israelis.

kelraiser's review

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5.0

This is really essential reading for anyone interested in news and current affairs. Because of the way media organisations cover the situation in Israel, and the influence and pressure from various lobby groups, it's impossible to get an accurate sense of what's going on. But John Lyons was there, he lived and breathed it for six years, and he spells it out in clear terms. He is a journalist with great integrity and I admire his insistence on revealing the truth. His memoir is both eye-opening and confronting. Highly recommended.

binyakub's review against another edition

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5.0

Very informative, easy to read memoir of the author’s six year stay in Jerusalem as the middle east editor of The Australian.

I thought I was someone well versed in the arab-israel conflict, but this book opened up to me a new dimension to the Israeli Occupation of the West Bank.

2 chapters in particular were illuminating for me - Frankenstein’s Monster and The Lobby.

The first puts “Apartheid State” into context and the second gives an Australian dimension to thus tragedy.

Something for everyone pro-Palestinian / Pro-Israeli / Neutrals