Product Description

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.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #255966 in Books
• Published on: 2009-09-03
• Binding: Paperback
• 560 pages

Review
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

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.

Customer Reviews

Beautiful account of a tragedy
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.

A lyrical memoir
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
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.