Scan barcode
meaganscott's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
trudy1963's review against another edition
4.0
I thought the history in the making surrounding her life was fascinating especially when reading it from her point of view.
emwil13's review against another edition
5.0
I really loved how much this book taught me about middle eastern history. Many reviews say it was biased but I think it showed a really clear picture of the Arab and Jordanian perspective and the impossible decisions they were constantly having to make. Would recommend to everyone who wants to learn more about the Middle East and Jordan.
roseleaf24's review against another edition
4.0
I came across this book in the list of books my book club read before I joined it, add I'm glad I did. I knew very little about Jordan and King Hussein, and nothing about his wife, Queen Noor, who was born in the United States. Fascinating history, and fascinating insight into the continuing tension in the Middle East.
mzokiegolfer's review
4.0
This was a very enjoyable memoir by Queen Noor (formerly Lisa Halaby ) who was married to King Hussein of Jordan. It's extremely relevant, given events that have occurred in the Middle East over the last 40 years. King Hussein was a tireless believer that peace could be obtained for all people through peaceful dialogue instead of war and Queen Noor was there to support him at all times. It was an amazing love story and a book that will be with me for a good many years.
danacs2227's review against another edition
4.0
A little slow start, but an excellent read. She provided a new insight on recent history in the Middle East.
hmgelo02's review against another edition
4.0
I generally don't read memoirs - I mostly stick to fiction when I'm reading for pleasure. But on my last trip to the library I passed through the nonfiction section and my eye caught this book. From the description on the jacket, I was expecting to read a book about an American woman who happened to fall in love with and marry the king of Jordan, and learn about the fairy-tale existence of her life from ordinary to extraordinary.
And in ways, that was what her life turned out to be... but this book was not about that journey. Rather, [b:Leap of Faith|400598|Leap of Faith Memoirs of an Unexpected Life|Noor Al-Hussein|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174442168s/400598.jpg|1281571] is the history of Jordan, or more accurately, the history of King Hussein's rein of Jordan, which just so happens to include a 20-year marriage to the author.
At first I was a bit put off by the fact that this book was not what I had been expecting to read, but as I continued further into its pages I realized how very ignorant I have been of the history of the Middle East, about how very little I know about the creation of Israel and the turmoil that has been present there since the Jews moved into and began taking over Palestinian lands. This is - I'm sure - by no means an exhaustive history of the events that took place in that region, but it is a detailed account from a woman who was a firsthand witness to many of the political details that are normally not accurately disclosed to the public.
When I first completed the reading of this book, I was left wanting to know more about her family life; about her role as a mother and about her children. But as I've been reflecting back over the common theme that Queen Noor has discussed about her utter lack of a private life because of her position in Jordan, I can understand why she chose to leave her children mostly out of this story. This book was never intended to be about them, but rather about her marriage to her husband, and as a mother I understand the decision to give her children as much privacy as she could in light of needing to include them in her memoirs.
Although I think this book was mislabeled and mispromoted, I really enjoyed reading it. I feel as though this was a very good introduction to the more recent history of Jordan and its political standing within the Middle East and among other Arab countries. If you know little to nothing about this region's history - as I did and still do - I would recommend this as a starting off book.
And in ways, that was what her life turned out to be... but this book was not about that journey. Rather, [b:Leap of Faith|400598|Leap of Faith Memoirs of an Unexpected Life|Noor Al-Hussein|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174442168s/400598.jpg|1281571] is the history of Jordan, or more accurately, the history of King Hussein's rein of Jordan, which just so happens to include a 20-year marriage to the author.
At first I was a bit put off by the fact that this book was not what I had been expecting to read, but as I continued further into its pages I realized how very ignorant I have been of the history of the Middle East, about how very little I know about the creation of Israel and the turmoil that has been present there since the Jews moved into and began taking over Palestinian lands. This is - I'm sure - by no means an exhaustive history of the events that took place in that region, but it is a detailed account from a woman who was a firsthand witness to many of the political details that are normally not accurately disclosed to the public.
When I first completed the reading of this book, I was left wanting to know more about her family life; about her role as a mother and about her children. But as I've been reflecting back over the common theme that Queen Noor has discussed about her utter lack of a private life because of her position in Jordan, I can understand why she chose to leave her children mostly out of this story. This book was never intended to be about them, but rather about her marriage to her husband, and as a mother I understand the decision to give her children as much privacy as she could in light of needing to include them in her memoirs.
Although I think this book was mislabeled and mispromoted, I really enjoyed reading it. I feel as though this was a very good introduction to the more recent history of Jordan and its political standing within the Middle East and among other Arab countries. If you know little to nothing about this region's history - as I did and still do - I would recommend this as a starting off book.
kamckim's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting. This book really portrays the difficulties and disappointments of King Hussein to achieve a lasting peace in the Middle East. It also helped me appreciate my surroundings in Jordan even more than I already do.
emilyisreading2024's review against another edition
3.0
This memoir was very informative about the country Jordan and the Middle Eastern conflict. Although the ending was touching, I thought most of the memoir was written in a very detached style, which prevented me from feeling connected to the people. Perhaps the author was concerned about how things would appear. But unlike some other memoirs that I have read, this one did not feel like an "inside look."