The Haj (Paperback)

The stakes get higher if the historical novel takes on something that is particularly controversial or still in the news.

Leon Uris' Haj is a perfect example. Take a look at all of the reviews from other readers. There are those who blast Uris for being pro-Israel. These people claim that the novel is historically inaccurate and hateful towards Arabs. (Most of these reviews are penned by people who refer to themselves as an Amazon.com customer and refuse to identify where they reside.

I'll be the first to admit that this should not be the only book that you should read about the Middle East, but it should be one of the first. First off, eliminate the politics and read this for the great story. There are vivid characters in this book which begin with Haj Ibrahim and the countless others he encounters in his life. Along the way you get a lit bit of everything you would ever want in a novel including love, treachery, suspense and conflict. Along the way you also learn a great deal about the Middle East.

Sure some of it is bound to be controversial but that's especially important in the post September 11 world we inhabit. This book is set in the late 1940's but how much has really changed. How many people have died and continue to die on a daily basis because of these religions that are yoked with every sort of prejudice known to man? There is no doubt that some of the positions espoused by some of the characters in this book will offend some people and brings smiles to others. Regardless of your political position, it will make you think. Given the importance of the topic, can there be a better endorsement?

More importantly, once you get away from the big world political issues in the book, you will find that its an easy book to read. The 500+ pages fly by quickly and you soon find that the characters such as Haj Ibrahim, his sons, daughter and Israeli Counterpart Gideon Asch come to life. Here is where it is important to remember that the book is a work of fiction and a well-written book of fiction too. Finally, I would reject some of the criticism that has been leveled against this book's ending. I won't give it away but the ending is appropriate for the culture of the area and the story itself.

Mr. Uris recently passed away so now is a good time to reflect on his accomplishments and revisit his work if you read it a few years ago. If you haven't read Uris in the past, now is the perfect time to get acquainted.

What really has changed .... well basically nothing .... in leon Uris' book most if not all Arabs wanted all Jews/Isrealis dead, and today .... well you get the picture ....

OK so it's quite obvious that Leon Uris writing a book about the Arab and Islam's view of Isreal being formed in their midst may not be unbiased, the historical facts in the book can hardly be refuted. He doesn't paint a pretty picture of the Saudi beduin tribes because maybe there ain't no pretty picture to be painted ....

The book is a harsh story of life as a 'Palestinian' commencing in the early 1940's of a young Arab, Ishmael. Ishmael lived in a small settlemnt of Tabah located half way between Haifa and Jerusalem. Ishmael being one of the only people in the little enclave, under control of Haj Ibrahim, that learned to read and provides us with a blow by blow account of growing up in the middle of familial, political and religious turmoil and violence ....

It really is a wonderfull but sad story and the book gave me a much better understanding of life in the Middle East that I would ever get from any of the numerous talking heads on network and cable TV .....