Middle East/North African Lit discussion

Our topic in (January - February 2012) is :

" minorities/christian-jewish-muslim relations /Arab Jews in Israel/ 48 Arabs"

Each participated member will read his own non-fiction selection about this topic .

Please write down your selections and I will edit this post later to highlight them .

edit : (so far)
1- The Other Side of Israel: My Journey Across the Jewish/Arab Divide
2- City of Oranges: An Intimate History of Arabs and Jews in Jaffa
3- The Lemon Tree: An Arab, a Jew, and the Heart of the Middle East
4- In the Name of Identity: Violence and the Need to Belong
5- Palestine

Some recommendations from the main thread :

Three Mothers, Three Daughters: Palestinian Women's Stories
We Look Like the Enemy: The Hidden Story of Israel's Jews from Arab Lands
Keys to the Garden: New Israeli Writing
Daughters of Iraq
The Other Side of Israel: My Journey Across the Jewish/Arab Divide

Some other books were more related to the fall of Ottoman empire and Mandate and in particular :

One Palestine, Complete: Jews and Arabs Under the British Mandate

A Rift in Time: Travels with My Ottoman Uncle
Haifa: Transformation of an Arab Society 1918-1939

Any suggestions for or about 48 Arabs ?
*****
If anyone is interested , here is some fiction selections I could reach :

*I already read The Secret Life of Saeed: The Pessoptimist, there is also Arabesques: A Novel .

*Yasmine

Another books I can highly recommend is Jerusalem 1913: The Origins of the Arab-Israeli Conflict. I thought it was really good!

I've come across "A Peace to End All Peace: The Fall of the Ottoman Empire and the Creation of the Modern Middle East" recently and it sounds like a lengthy read. Judging by the cover's excerpt, it covers the formation of the middle east after the fall of the Ottoman Empire, along with the Arab/Israeli conflict.

Philippa (eat, read, explore) wrote: "Another books I can highly recommend is Jerusalem 1913: The Origins of the Arab-Israeli Conflict. I thought it was really good!"

Interesting recommendation Philippa thanks :)
are you planning to discuss it among our collection or read anther book ?


** who is willing to join us and what will you be reading ?

Nile daughter wrote: "Philippa (eat, read, explore) wrote: "Another books I can highly recommend is Jerusalem 1913: The Origins of the Arab-Israeli Conflict. I thought it was really good!"

Interesting recommendation Ph..."

I haven't really thought about it yet to be honest. It also depends on whether I can get hold of any of the other books we'll be discussing.

Marwa (Post #5), we read A Peace to end all Peace last year, would welcome your comments. the discussion thread is here.

The one book my local library owns from the above list is The other side of Israel.

I'm also interestedin Daughters of Iraq and Three Mothers Three Daughters (and possibly Travels with my Ottoman Uncle).

Ardene wrote: "Marwa (Post #5), we read A Peace to end all Peace last year, would welcome your comments. the discussion thread is here."

Ooooops!! I did it again!!! ^_^

I think I should make a shelf specially for the books read by this group before me joining in. It'll save me time and save you guys posts. :D

Marwa, at least you know you're in the right place, with your interests and the books on your to read list:)

Ardene wrote: "Marwa, at least you know you're in the right place, with your interests and the books on your to read list:)"

yes!

no worries!

and also we like to have threads revived, so do join in the conversation when you read A Peace to End All Peace. I haven't ever finished reading it, so i'll be going back to that thread. :)

Marwa , I have no idea how I missed your posts ! it didn't appear to me when I posted last time !

Any way , as Marieke mentioned and I echo ;feel free to join any previous book discussion thread :) and for that book in particular , I haven't finish yet , I had to stop half way and concentrate on other stuff , but I will back to it , so I hope I will see you there .

***
Ardene , I will be reading " The other side of Israel" too , If you are going to read any of thee books , we would love to hear your feedback .

I've just ordered The Other Side of Israel: My Journey Across the Jewish/Arab Divide and City of Oranges: An Intimate History of Arabs and Jews in Jaffa from the library - so all going well I'm in and will read at least one of them.

Tanya wrote: "I've just ordered The Other Side of Israel: My Journey Across the Jewish/Arab Divide and City of Oranges: An Intimate History of Arabs and Jews in Jaffa from the library - so all going well I'm in ..."

I added City of Oranges: An Intimate History of Arabs and Jews in Jaffato the bookshelves , it will be interesting to hear your thoughts about it . this book encouraged me to try to read Haifa: Transformation of an Arab Society 1918-1939 after I finish "The other side of Israel" .

Thanks a lot for the encouragement of all of you. Hopefully, I'll be able to catch up with what I've missed. :)

BTW, seems that of all the marvelous titles you all mentioned, the only one I can find at the bookstore was "The Other Side of Israel". So, you got my vote on that one.

Marwa wrote: "Thanks a lot for the encouragement of all of you. Hopefully, I'll be able to catch up with what I've missed. :)

BTW, seems that of all the marvelous titles you all mentioned, the only one I can fi..."

Nice , it seems many of us are going to read that one . I will edit the first post and highlight that book .

I think I might read The Lemon Tree: An Arab, a Jew, and the Heart of the Middle East as I've been meaning to read this for such a long time.

Anna wrote: "I think I might read The Lemon Tree: An Arab, a Jew, and the Heart of the Middle East as I've been meaning to read this for such a long time."

I read it , it is an excellent book :)

Thanks for all the suggestions. I was torn between Three Mothers, Three Daughters and The Other Side of Israel, but I think I will read the latter since so many others will also be taking it on.

I ordered "The Other Side of Israel" looking forward to the read with the group. Merry Christmas to all.

I don't know how to convey this idea I have in mind except by encouraging readers to look beyond the Israeli Palestinian conflict when trying to understand the region. The Middle East is extremely rich in terms of its people (a fact that Middle Easterners themselves tend to under-appreciate): their traditions which are very much alive and their beliefs which still influence them on day to day matters are two examples of such wealth.

This region hosts hundreds of national, ethnic, tribal and religious groups: Nestorians, Yazidis, Melkites, Suleimanis/Makramis, Chaldeans, Zaydis, Mandaens are just a few obscure names that come to mind. All these groups range in size from the tens of thousands to several millions. They add some color to the dry Sunni-Shi'ite-Jewish-Christian paradigm popular today.

Even a small group like the Druze (around a million adherents) boasts differences among its adherents spawning from the different locales they live in. These nuances and gestures, ways of speaking, dancing, singing, and even drinking and eating seem to be lost on most people interested in the region. Yet they remind us that behind political slogans, religious extremism, bloodletting, protests, counter-protests, ethnic cleansing, etc... you'll find groups of people trying to enjoy life in their own unique way.

Reading what the ancients, such as Herodotus, wrote about the Egyptians and Syrians may lead to the discovery of some fascinating parallels between the ancient and modern day inhabitants of these two regions. Reading Marshal Hodgson's work on the Ismailis will add a whole new dimension to one's understanding of Shi'ism. Reading Dimitri Ghutas' and Phillip Hitti's works on the early Islamic empires could increase one's appreciation of the diversity and wealth even within the Sunnis establishment.

These are just a few of the authors out there that could help in better understanding a region, which geographically and otherwise dwarfs Palestine / Israel.

Happy reading to all! And a Merry Christmas!

Raja wrote: "I don't know how to convey this idea I have in mind except by encouraging readers to look beyond the Israeli Palestinian conflict when trying to understand the region. The Middle East is extremely..."

Raja, do you have suggestions for specific books? Thanks!

Here are some books I've read and enjoyed:

The Secret Order of Assassins: The Struggle of the Early Nizari Isma'ilis Against the Islamic World

History of the Arabs

Greek Thought, Arabic Culture: The Graeco-Arabic Translation Movement in Baghdad and Early 'Abbasaid Society

Out of Arabia: Phoenicians, Arabs, and the Discovery of Europe


The Jews of Lebanon: Between Coexistence and Conflict

The Druze: Realities & Perceptions

Raja wrote: "Here are some books I've read and enjoyed:

The Secret Order of Assassins: The Struggle of the Early Nizari Isma'ilis Against the Islamic World

History of the Arabs

Greek Thought, Arabic Culture:..."


I've read about the origins of "Assassins" and the Ismailis in Robert Greene's "The 33 Strategies of War". Although it was mentioned in only one chapter throughout the book, but it's worth reading more about it.

Raja ; your post is very interesting , and we really wish to learn more about each region we visit in our group .so any suggestions are welcome.

By the way , in March and April we will be focusing on Lebanese civil war so any books that will help us understand the nature of the Lebanese society and Lebanese history will be helpful .

Angela and Millicent, it seems many members are reading "The Other Side of Israel" . but if anyone would read "Three Mothers, Three Daughters" for our discussion , this will be adding to the discussion too .

Merry Christmas to all.:)

I've been reading "In the Name of Identity" by Amin Maalouf. It seems to be perfect for this topic, unless the group has already read it?

Sarah wrote: "I've been reading "In the Name of Identity" by Amin Maalouf. It seems to be perfect for this topic, unless the group has already read it?"

We have not read that as a group. But i also think it's fine when we "choose our own book" to choose one that has already be read as a group. i missed out on the Lemon Tree group read and would really like to read that one. i'm feeling a little overwhelmed because i want to read several of the books people have suggested. :/

Sarah wrote: "I've been reading "In the Name of Identity" by Amin Maalouf. It seems to be perfect for this topic, unless the group has already read it?"

Sarah , please share your thoughts about the book with us , I want to read In the Name of Identity: Violence and the Need to Belong too but I am not sure I will be able to do it during (Jan/Feb) , do you think reading it during discussing "Lebanese civil war" in (March/April) would fit ?

Marieke , Since Anne said she will be reading "The lemon tree" , so this may help you to catch up this time :)

Nile daughter wrote: "Angela and Millicent, it seems many members are reading "The Other Side of Israel" . but if anyone would read "Three Mothers, Three Daughters" to our discussion , this will be adding to the discu..."

I think I will just go ahead and request several books from the library and see which feels most compelling when I have them in hand!

very smart, Millicent. i'll likely copy you. ;)

Great :D keep us updated !

I already have "The Lemon Tree..." I to will see which one feels right.

Angela wrote: "I already have "The Lemon Tree..." I to will see which one feels right."

:)
***
To expand the scoop; Any one is reading a book about Mizrahi Jews , women or Christian Arabs ?

Do nonfiction graphic novels count? I would like to read Palestine but if not I'll see if I can get a copy of The Lemon Tree: An Arab, a Jew, and the Heart of the Middle East or Yasmine. Those two sound really interesting too.

Lisa -*-Strawberry Cow Book Cafe-*- wrote: "Do nonfiction graphic novels count? I would like to read Palestine but if not I'll see if I can get a copy of The Lemon Tree: An Arab, a Jew, and the Heart of the Middle East or Yasmine. Those tw..."

i don't see why not. i've just added it to my tbr. :)

Great :) I added "In the Name of Identity" and "Palestine" to post number "1"

Lisa if you are going to read "Yasmine" too , Is it totally fiction ?

Nile daughter wrote: "Sarah wrote: "I've been reading "In the Name of Identity" by Amin Maalouf. It seems to be perfect for this topic, unless the group has already read it?"

Sarah , please share your thoughts about th..."

It's a quick read--about 150 pages, and written in a very readable style. Maalouf speaks as a Lebanese expatriate about the emotional roots of fundamentalism and anti-Western sentiment in a globalizing world (i.e., one that relies so much on English as its lingua franca).

He offers some ideas for solutions, though it doesn't wade too deeply into any one issue. The book contains a good historical perspective, defuses some common arguments against Islam, and is brave enough to highlight the dangers in relativism. I found it a helpful, apolitical adjunct to other books I've read.

Plus, I just like Amin Maalouf. His sensibility as a writer always seems to be good-natured, and full of humility.

Anyone heard of The Man in the White Sharkskin Suit: My Family's Exodus from Old Cairo to the New World?? I've come across the title while reading Belal Fadl / بلال فضل's column a couple of days ago. I found it interesting though, because I believe little do we expose facts about the Jewish minorities that lived in Egypt up until the 60's.

that's a book i have meant to read for a long time, Marwa. it is supposed to be excellent and i have several friends who have given it great reviews. i used to have an Egyptian arabic teacher (an arabic teacher who happened to be egyptian, not a teacher of egyptian arabic) who had one jewish parent (also egyptian) so that makes me even more interested in reading it. all of my egyptian friends and teachers and egyptians i met in egypt were either christian or muslim.

Marwa wrote: "...Jewish minorities that lived in Egypt up until the 60's"

Another book that nicely fits into this category is André Aciman's Out of Egypt: A Memoir.

Marieke, I read some of the reviews about the book and I found that it deserves a try. I think I'll get the book by the end of January.

Okyrhoe, that sounds great too. I'll sniff around for that title as well.

I've just started reading The Lemon Tree: An Arab, a Jew, and the Heart of the Middle East and am really enjoying it. I haven't read much yet but looking forward to really getting into it.

Sarah wrote: "Nile daughter wrote: "Sarah wrote: "I've been reading "In the Name of Identity" by Amin Maalouf. It seems to be perfect for this topic, unless the group has already read it?"

Sarah , please share ..."

Thanks for the feed back Sarah , my reading process is getting slower and slower because of my family duties but I hope I will be able to read this book .

Marwa wrote: "Anyone heard of The Man in the White Sharkskin Suit: My Family's Exodus from Old Cairo to the New World?? I've come across the title while reading Belal Fadl / بلال فضل's column a couple of days ag..."

I own the Arabic edition of the book and I have been planning to read it for a long time but didn't have a chance to :( hope I will be able to , and there is a book I wanted to read to -along side it - The Dispersion Of Egyptian Jewry: Culture, Politics, And The Formation Of A Modern Diaspora, I also have an Arabic edition

okyrhoe wrote: "Marwa wrote: "...Jewish minorities that lived in Egypt up until the 60's"

Another book that nicely fits into this category is André Aciman's Out of Egypt: A Memoir."

So many books I want to read !!!!

Anna wrote: "I've just started reading The Lemon Tree: An Arab, a Jew, and the Heart of the Middle East and am really enjoying it. I haven't read much yet but looking forward to really getting into it."

It is a very informative book , feel free to share your thoughts :)

Nile daughter wrote: "Great :) I added "In the Name of Identity" and "Palestine" to post number "1"

Lisa if you are going to read "Yasmine" too , Is it totally fiction ?"

Is it? I guess that is out then since it is not non-fiction. I might read it regardless but for this group I'll just stick with Palestine and maybe The Lemon Tree if I have time for it.

Lisa -*-Strawberry Cow Book Cafe-*- wrote: "Nile daughter wrote: "Great :) I added "In the Name of Identity" and "Palestine" to post number "1"

Lisa if you are going to read "Yasmine" too , Is it totally fiction ?"

Is it? I guess that is..."

Whatever you decide keep us updated ...:)
****

I read few pages in "the other side of Israel" but I think I will not be able to continue reading it seriously before a few days .

I just recieved my copy of "Other side of Israel" I will start in a couple of days.
N.D. why can you not read it for awhile, is it because of content or other thngs? Regardless I am going to read it, and I will start over the weekend. Keeping up with this group, with a book, (any book) will be a good practice for me.

Angela wrote: "I just recieved my copy of "Other side of Israel" I will start in a couple of days.
N.D. why can you not read it for awhile, is it because of content or other thngs? Regardless I am going to read i..."

No , I just need to finish anther book in my hands . glad you will join me soon :)