From Beirut to Jerusalem
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Average rating4.1
This revised edition of the number-one bestseller and winner of the 1989 National Book Award includes the Pulitzer Prize-winning author's new, updated epilogue. One of the most thought-provoking books ever written about the Middle East, From Beirut to Jerusalem remains vital to our understanding of this complex and volatile region of the world. Three-time Pulitzer Prize winner Thomas L. Friedman drew upon his ten years of experience reporting from Lebanon and Israel to write this now-classic work of journalism. In a new afterword, he updates his journey with a fresh discussion of the Arab Awakenings and how they are transforming the area, and a new look at relations between Israelis and Palestinians, and Israelis and Israelis. Rich with anecdote, history, analysis, and autobiography, From Beirut to Jerusalem will continue to shape how we see the Middle East for many years to come. "If you're only going to read one book on the Middle East, this is it."--Seymour M. Hersh
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Journalist relates some of the stories
he runs across during his long post
in first Beirut and then Jerusalem.
Very readable. Recommended.
This was probably the last of Tom Friedman's books that wasn't a tribute to how smart he is and can't be summarized in 5 words or less. The Lebanon portion was really excellent. The Israel piece was a bit more difficult. What i did find very intriguing about this part was that as a Jewish man moving to Israel, he was surprised and disappointed at how Western and secular the country was. As he stated, though, it has turned into a secular state just as Theodor Herzl had imagined.
The first part of the book details Friedman's working in Lebanon from 1979-84 during the War with Israel. The second part details his time in Jerusalem between 1984-1988.
One of the more interesting aspects is that this addition has another section entitled, “From Jerusalem to Washington” which follows the peace process in the early to mid 90's. it is fascinating how much hope there was of a settlement at that time, only to see it slip through the fingers of the participants. What a shame.
