Book Review
Israel, Misunderstood?
Confused by the swirling controversies about Israel, or even its “right to exist?” Or that good friends vehemently disagree? This book may be for you.
ISRAEL, A SIMPLE GUIDE to the most misunderstood country on earth. By Noa Tishby. 2021. Free Press:Simon & Schuster
I loved this book. It’s fun to read, which itself is a triumph for a book about such a lightning-rod topic. Tishby’s writing is sparkling clear, funny and ironic while conveying data, information, and analysis.
I don’t know how she does this — I’m so glad she did.
Noa Tishby uses humor along with practical down-to-earth descriptions to walk through the history of Israel. She manages to make more than two thousand years of a region’s history come to life with sprawling complications made understandable.
If you feel somewhat adrift or confused hearing current discussions of Israel by friends, activists or Jews, this book may be for you. If you have covered all the angles and feel comfortable that your perceptions of the Middle East and its dilemmas are solid, factual, and in line with your belief systems, this may still be an entertaining read.
She goes right into the subjects that many shy away from. Her exegesis uses many forms of evidence: archeological, biblical, and historical records.
These, along with contemporary sources —- all indexed, annotated, and sourced -— the book remains lively, never succumbing to the ‘styles’ of history textbooks.
If you have ever for a moment wondered how this one tiny country gets so many headlines this may be a book that will clear up some of your questions.
Tishby begins with her own short history. An Israeli whose Grandparents were part of the founding families of the country with both kibbutzniks and capitalists in the mix.
Growing up middle class in Tel Aviv she felt worldly and knowledgeable. Leaving Israel for a stay in LA she learns that not all people believe that the Holocaust happened.
She is astonished when an empathic woman asks how her family feels about her. Tishby is confused and asks for clarification. The woman says, oh you know you’re so modern, aren’t they upset that you don’t wear the — waving a hand around her head to suggest a hijab.
This is part of her drive to participate in bringing the story of Israel up to date and remove the mire of ‘competing truths’ with real people, useful stories, cutting analysis and irony to tell the tale.
If you are tired of didactic, shaming discussions of Israel, this book is for you.
