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From Beirut to Jerusalem  By  cover art

From Beirut to Jerusalem

By: Thomas L. Friedman
Narrated by: Thomas L. Friedman
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Publisher's summary

In From Beirut to Jerusalem, Thomas L. Friedman, a columnist for The New York Times and author of The Lexus and the Olive Tree, has drawn on his decade in the Middle East to produce the most trenchant, vivid, and thought-provoking book yet on the region.

No issue in international politics has been more hotly debated than the Arab-Israeli conflict. And no reporter has illuminated both the conflict and the rhythms of life in the Middle East with more immediacy and brilliance than Friedman, a two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize for international reporting. Whether it's extremism, terrorism, or fundamentalism on right and left, Friedman puts all the operative currents into perspective with an inimitable specificity and clarity.

©2006 Thomas L. Friedman (P)2006 HarperCollins Publishers
  • Abridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

Critic reviews

"[Friedman's] writing is vastly descriptive, incredibly illuminating, very educational, and marvelously persuasive." (Library Journal)

What listeners say about From Beirut to Jerusalem

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This is an abridged version

What disappointed you about From Beirut to Jerusalem?

I had read this book back when it first came out. I purchased the audio book to listen to (while driving) in preparation for our trip to Israel. I was quite disappointed that much of the guts of the book was removed in this version. I had to go back to my hard cover.

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17 people found this helpful

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Typical pro-Israel slant

The narratives about Lebanon are interesting, but as soon as he starts discussing Israel/Palestine, it turns into the standard pro-Israel rationale. Comparing the time leading up to the 6 day war (in which Israel was the aggressor) with the holocaust is standard, one-sided western bias. To gloss over such events with false assumptions and limited historical context is extremely irresponsible. If you like books that are written like a poorly researched newspaper article, this is great for you.

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10 people found this helpful

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  • 12-24-12

COLLECTIVE GUILT - GIVEN AND RECEIVED

Growing up in postwar NYC, as the only non-Jew in my public school classes, I was very much aware of the holocaust.

The idea proposed in this book rings true to me. Jews are infused with victimization and want everyone else to feel guilty about it.

This dynamic is Israel's problem. However, Israel's problem is a problem for the entire world. The Middle East is the thorn in the world's side and this book points out why this thorn is not about to be removed anytime soon. It's been how long? Oh right, over 35 years.

Let's hope it is resolved sooner than the US resolved slavery (over 75 years) and then racial equality (another 100 years).

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

We are so blessed in America!

Wonderful read and very entertaining. I was amazed at what some people go through in their daily life. This book has a light and sometimes humorous tone, but also educates the average listener about a very complex part of the world that most of us will never understand. I really enjoyed this book and even listened to it twice just so my wife could hear it. I laughed out loud through many spots. He is a very engaging writer and it was read well. If you like other books by Friedman you will not be disappointed.

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7 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars

They choose the past over the future

Enlightening memoir of reporters' experience in the early stages of the dismantling of Beiruit and then his subsequent time in Israel. Clearly discouraged, he describes firsthand the suffering of families and their culture in the palistinian/israeli escalation. He gives some historical perspective that helped me to understand the timeline of the events after '47 establishment of Israel . I recommend this book for those who want to folllow the peace process this year in Washington. Will they choose to be modern or tribal?

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6 people found this helpful

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It's not really a book

This is merely an accounting of remembrances of the author. His memories are shocking and recalled with precise detail, however he does little to explain WHY there is such turmoil in Israel and Palestine. I'm sorry I waisted my time and money on it. it is a shame because the author is obviously talented, and there is a story there (somewhere), just not here.

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5 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars

Sadly, a one sided book

Friedman describes to parts of his journalistic life in the Middle East: Several years he lived in Beirut, during Israel's 1982 invasion into Lebanon; and several years he lived in Jerusalem with his family.

In the first part of the book (Beirut), Friedman goes on to rave about strong Lebanese people, living their lives despite Israeli invasion and violence of the militants. He talks about people being used to automatic gun shots on their streets and how brave it is of them.

Then, Friedman writes about Israel. For the whole second part of the book, he goes on to criticize Israel - people, politicians, victimhood (as in - Jews should finally stop thinking so much about Holocaust, it was long time ago, come on!), et cetera. Sadly, Friedman did not have many positive words for Israel - criticizing it all the way through.

Unfortunately, being a NYT journalist does not exempt you from one sided, unprofessional reporting.

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4 people found this helpful

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Very short, anecdotal without detail

I listened to the audio version of this book, and was very surprised when it came to an abrupt end. I thought perhaps I had only downloaded a sample. While the experiences he shared we’re captivating, I know very little more than I did before listening. I was expecting some historical facts but only got some observations about the chaos of Beirut. Disappointing.

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2 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Mostly Jerusalem

I absolutely love Thomas Friedmans work, however, I felt that Jerusalem/Israel was very detailed and informative but was hoping to understand Lebanon's turmoil and civil war a little more. I felt some key information was missing (why the civil war? who were the key players? how the religion played a part in all of this, what happened in Sabra and Shatila?)
Thomas Friedman is such a brilliant journalist, I was just hoping for more political information about Beirut.

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1 person found this helpful

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Thomas Friedman does it again

Great performance and overall very interesting teaching the history of the Arab Israeli conflict. Couldn’t put it down.

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