These extraordinary memoirs give us a rare view into what the Arab-Israeli conflict has meant for one Palestinian family over the generations. Nusseibeh also interweaves his own story with that of the Palestinians as a people, always speaking his mind, and apportioning blame where he feels it due. Hated by extremists on both sides, his is a rare voice. "This autobiography carries the passion that might embolden ordinary Israelis and Palestinians to bypass the politicians and establish the peace that all but the armoured men desperately want." The Independent "Nusseibeh's formidable achievement leaves a drop of despair, because of how exceptional it is." New York Times
Once Upon A Country: A Palestinian Life
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This autobiography...carries the passion that might embolden ordinary Israelis and Palestinians to bypass the politicians and establish the peace that all but the armoured men desperately want. --The Independent
Nusseibeh's formidable achievement...leaves a drop of despair, because of how exceptional it is. --New York Tmes
Nusseibeh's formidable achievement...leaves a drop of despair, because of how exceptional it is. --New York Tmes
About the Author
Sari Nusseibeh is President of Al-Quds University in Jerusalem and a philosopher. Once a PLO representative in Jerusalem, he later co-founded The People's Voice advocating peace between Palestinians and Israelis.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Sari Nusseibeh is one of the most prominent Palestinians alive today, an eminent academic, a man of reason and compassion, and the scion of an old and illustrious Jerusalem family. His life story is a microcosm of the events that have unfolded in the Middle East during the 20th and 21st centuries, which have blighted the existence of so many and had such a profound effect on the world as a whole.
Once Upon A Country starts and ends with a fairy tale of extraordinary power and pathos, and sets a lyrical tone that is maintained throughout, even when the events being described are of the grimmest kind. Nusseibeh has had a turbulent life - not of his own choosing - but he has emerged from it with his human values in tact. His love of his family, his strong sense of tradition and loyalty to others, his pragmatism and distaste for extremism, his devotion to his people and the cause of Palestinian nationalism are evident, as is his acceptance of the existence of the State of Israel and the need for a comprehensive peace between all the elements in the region.
Sari Nusseibeh mentions another lyrical memoir of Palestinian life, albeit from a Jewish perspective, Amos Oz' A Tale of Love and Darkness. I defy anyone who has read the latter not to see in Once Upon A Country its Palestinian equivalent. Both are essential reading for anyone who wishes to gain a balanced perspective of the history of the Israel-Palestine problem, and especially for those who want to achieve a balanced insight into the impact that the State of Israel has had on the Palestinian people.
Once Upon A Country starts and ends with a fairy tale of extraordinary power and pathos, and sets a lyrical tone that is maintained throughout, even when the events being described are of the grimmest kind. Nusseibeh has had a turbulent life - not of his own choosing - but he has emerged from it with his human values in tact. His love of his family, his strong sense of tradition and loyalty to others, his pragmatism and distaste for extremism, his devotion to his people and the cause of Palestinian nationalism are evident, as is his acceptance of the existence of the State of Israel and the need for a comprehensive peace between all the elements in the region.
Sari Nusseibeh mentions another lyrical memoir of Palestinian life, albeit from a Jewish perspective, Amos Oz' A Tale of Love and Darkness. I defy anyone who has read the latter not to see in Once Upon A Country its Palestinian equivalent. Both are essential reading for anyone who wishes to gain a balanced perspective of the history of the Israel-Palestine problem, and especially for those who want to achieve a balanced insight into the impact that the State of Israel has had on the Palestinian people.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is a tragic tale, wonderfully narrated. It is the story of how a Western-oriented, liberal, secular-minded visionary had his hopes for peace frustrated at every turn by men who lacked his vision and empathy.
This account clearly illustrated how the Israeli government constantly undermined those forces within the Palestinians (such as the author) who were willing to negotiate. Israel ignored them, sidelined them and humiliated them; She is now reaping the whirlwind - Hamas has profited from the decline in support for moderates like Nusseibeh.
This is essential reading for all those seeking to understand how things have taken a turn for the worse in the past two decades. It also inspires hope, for with men like Nusseibeh around, there is always a chance for peace.
This account clearly illustrated how the Israeli government constantly undermined those forces within the Palestinians (such as the author) who were willing to negotiate. Israel ignored them, sidelined them and humiliated them; She is now reaping the whirlwind - Hamas has profited from the decline in support for moderates like Nusseibeh.
This is essential reading for all those seeking to understand how things have taken a turn for the worse in the past two decades. It also inspires hope, for with men like Nusseibeh around, there is always a chance for peace.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Laser
Format:Hardcover
One of the most interesting books that I have read recently. Highly recommended.
Nusseibeh has spent his life moving in and out of Palestinian political life. His commentary on the development of Palestinian politics (and Israeli and Jerusalemite) comes from perspective that is probably unique to himself - as a Palestinian, an academic, a pacifist, a member of one of Jerusalem's traditional ruling families, and also an (albeit reluctantly) influential member of the PLO.
Personally, I found my interest and enjoyment of the book increased in direct correlation with his involvement with the PLO and Palestinian politics in general. His account of the first intifada was probably the highlight of the book for me, but the sections on the peace process in its various incarnations are also very rewarding. Outside politics (if anything really is), I also thoroughly enjoyed the chapter on the reform of Al-Quds University.
Nusseibeh has spent his life moving in and out of Palestinian political life. His commentary on the development of Palestinian politics (and Israeli and Jerusalemite) comes from perspective that is probably unique to himself - as a Palestinian, an academic, a pacifist, a member of one of Jerusalem's traditional ruling families, and also an (albeit reluctantly) influential member of the PLO.
Personally, I found my interest and enjoyment of the book increased in direct correlation with his involvement with the PLO and Palestinian politics in general. His account of the first intifada was probably the highlight of the book for me, but the sections on the peace process in its various incarnations are also very rewarding. Outside politics (if anything really is), I also thoroughly enjoyed the chapter on the reform of Al-Quds University.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A captivating and engrossing memoir
Sari Nusseibeh's account of his life, interwoven with more general reflections on the history and politics of Israel/Palestine, is utterly absorbing from beginning to end. Read more
Published 19 days ago by Sarah A. Brown
4.0 out of 5 stars
personal history
Good insight into this troubled region. Does hope for peace stiil exist though, given the drift to the right in Israel?
Published 4 months ago by Chris
5.0 out of 5 stars
A humanist perspective
I have tried all my life to understand the Israeli Palestinian problem and I have read diverse histories as well as more recent fiction. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Aina
5.0 out of 5 stars
a wonderful book
A very special book, not only beautifully written but informative and of historic value. Though the question of Palestine is so full of pain and injustice, the writer never seeks... Read more
Published 11 months ago by louis
4.0 out of 5 stars
A different point of view
The book is written nicely by Dr. Sari. It gives a different point of view on the Palestine-Israel confilict. Read more
Published on 24 Mar 2011 by aya
5.0 out of 5 stars
An essential book.
I used to teach a course on the politics of the Middle East. If I was doing so again I would make two books compulsory reading, Amos Oz's A Tale of Love and Darkness and Sari... Read more
Published on 20 Oct 2007 by Charles Freeman
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