RebeccasReads

Comfortably Unaware - Global depletion and food responsibility... What you choose to eat

If there were ever a book that would convince one to adopt a vegan lifestyle, then “Comfortably Unaware” would definitely be it.  Dr. Richard Oppenlander’s book explores the connection between global depletion and our food choices.  His presentation of the research surrounding this topic is quite convincing and eye-opening.

In the Introduction, Oppenlander tells us that “Comfortably Unaware reveals facts and provides fresh perspectives by exploring how food choices affect our land, water, air, pollution, biodiversity, true sustainability, and our personal health.” (p.xiv)  He then goes on to explore each of these topics in detail.  The facts presented are truly shocking.

The resources used to provide small amounts of animal product are staggering.  For instance, he states that while it takes 10-20 gallons of water to produce 1 pound of vegetables, it takes over 5,000 gallons of water to produce that same weight of meat. (p.12)  That is an incredibly huge difference.

Not only land animals are included in this either, the book also addresses seafood.  “… For every one pound of shrimp sold and consumed, more than twenty pounds of other sea creatures are caught and killed in the process.  Innocent victims include fish that has no commercial value, juvenile fish, turtles, seabirds, and marine mammals, such as the dolphin.” (p.51)

If you find these facts to be quite disturbing then you definitely need to read Dr. Richard Oppenlander’s “Comfortably Unaware” as what I shared in this review is just the tip of the iceberg.    Oppenlander’s book is well-researched and organized.  His presentation is certainly not sugar coated and the book is a very hard hitting work.  I know that I for one will definitely be putting more thought into my food choices as a result of reading this book.  I am no longer comfortably unaware.

Comfortably Unaware - Global depletion and food responsibility... What you choose to eat
Dr. Richard A. Oppenlander
Langdon Street Press (2011)
ISBN 9781936183944
Reviewed by Kam Aures for Rebecca’s Reads (08/11)

Crossing the Heart of Africa: An Odyssey of Love and Adventure

This is a fantastic story of love.  One that I did not know if I would be able to enjoy. However, as Julian Smith tells the story of a little known explorer and intermingles it with his own story, it’s hard not to fall in love with "Crossing the Heart of Africa.”

Ewart Grogan was an explorer in the 1800’s, who did everything from becoming the youngest member of the British Alpine Climbing Club, to attending Cambridge and ultimately crossing Africa – South to North.  He fell in love with a young woman of means and in order to win the respect and approval of her step Father, he begins his journey across Africa.

The author, Julian Smith, also crosses Africa.  He does this not by foot by motorbikes, trucks, busses and any other transportation he can find.  He is not crossing for respect and approval but to perhaps prove something to himself before he settles down and marries his fiancée, who is waiting back in the states for him.

Throughout the intertwined story, the reader is transported to both the Africa that existed in Grogan’s time; wild and unpredictable.  Then the reader sees the same locations as they are today; war-torn, poor and disease ridden.  It is both beautiful and sad at the same time.

The love story between both Ewart and Gertrude is touching but the story of Julian and Laura is current and real.  Their story is very raw and the author does not try to hide any flaws which endear their love to the reader.

"Crossing the Heart of Africa" grabs the reader and doesn’t let go.  The addition of photos and sketches adds to the amazing story.

Whether the reader has any desire to visit Africa or not is irrelevant as the story is so fascinating and engrossing that they will feel like they have been there right along Ewart and Julian!

Crossing the Heart of Africa: An Odyssey of Love and Adventure
Julian Smith
Harper Perennial (2010)
ISBN 9780061873478
Reviewed by Melissa Koltes for RebeccasReads (08/11)

Innocent War

In the opening pages of Susan Violante’s “Innocent War,” Violante tells that reader that, “I wrote a book to get to know my father, and in the process I got to know myself.  This didn’t come without hardship, loneliness, disappointment, and frustration as I set myself to break the circle of silence between parents and their sons and daughters.  I was clear in my quest.  I convinced my father to tape his accounts so that I could transcribe them and leave his legacy to his grandchildren.  My goal of getting to know my dad was achieved at the very moment I got the tapes.  Little did I know that listening to them would bring so many other quests and dreams.”  (p. xiii)

When Violante sat down and listened to the tapes she realized that she couldn’t just keep the story in her family; her father Nino’s story was so powerful that she needed to share it with the world.  So, this is how “Innocent War,” Book 1 in the “Behind an Immigrant’s Past Series” came to fruition and I, for one, am glad that she shared his adventures.

The story is told through a young boy’s point of view and is a book that once you pick up you will be unable to put down.  I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Nino and his family’s life throughout WWII.  It was a neat perspective to look at the situations from a child’s point of view and I learned a lot relating to the history of the time period. 

Other than some editing issues, “Innocent War” is an excellent work that I would highly recommend.  Violante successfully takes an era out of a history book and brings it to life in a way that is interesting and at the same time educational.  I could see “Innocent War” being part of a high school/college history class curriculum.  It would supplement a textbook nicely by bringing real faces and stories to the events of that time period.  I greatly look forward to reading the next installment in the “Behind an Immigrant’s Past Series.”  I am truly enjoying Nino’s story and can’t wait to see where he and his family go from here.

Innocent War
Susan Violante
Outskirts Press (2011)
ISBN 9781432770471
Reviewed by Kam Aures for RebeccasReads (7/11)

The Tea Party & The Tyrant: Liberty v/s Tyranny

“The Tea Party & The Tyrant:L Liberty v/s Tyranny” by Felton (Toby) Williamson, Jr is a compilation of 33 articles and 79 illustrations.  As the author declares, the book has Thomas Paine content presented with a Dr. Seuss format.

In the foreword to the book, Williamson explains that the book “is an attempt to provide a different format that helps the reader to understand a complete meaning and the full implications of complicated text, all with a very enjoyable format.” (Foreword)  The articles in the book came from the commonsense21c.com website.  He took 33 posts and edited them, adding the illustrations to help the reader better understand and to provide enjoyment to the reader.

The content of “The Tea Party & The Tyrant: Liberty v/s Tyranny” has a very “on the soapbox” type feel to it.  While it is clear which “side” the author is on on the issues he does present some very thought-provoking points.  I think that those who agree with Williamson will definitely enjoy his writings.  Those who are on the opposite side of the fence may not feel the same way.  Williamson, however, is quite aware of this, and even says in the book that “The illustrations can be used to aggravate self-righteous ‘Progressives’ and wannabe Tyrants …” (Foreword).

In the politically charged climate in which we live, I could see some people getting quite fired up after reading “The Tea Party & The Tyrant: Liberty v/s Tyranny.”  I think that it will be quite controversial, but that appears to be Williamson’s point as the style in which he wrote the book is quite conducive to controversy.

The Tea Party & The Tyrant: Liberty v/s Tyranny
Felton (Toby) Williamson, Jr.
CreateSpace (2011)
ISBN 9781463560492
Reviewed by Kam Aures for Rebecca’s Reads (06/11)

Cure Your Democracy: The Infection, Spread, and Treatment of Contagious Opinions

“Cure Your Democracy: The Infection, Spread, and Treatment of Contagious Opinions” by John Cooker, MRI is a political humor book.  Throughout his research, Cooker has identified two “viruses” which he deems as highly contagious:  Democratitus and Democratosis.  These viruses are associated with the positions one holds on the conservative to liberal political spectrum.    

Cooker opens the book by telling the reader that:  “There’s an epidemic sweeping across America but no one’s taking it seriously.  The infected look like normal Americans, at first, familiar and approachable.  But then they open their mouths and foreign words leap out known only to inhabitants of their special Nation, a distinct code only they understand; left coaster, mama grizzly, Obamacare, drill baby drill, death panels, nanny state, treehugger, nukular, smoke and mirrors, Orwellian, refudiate; or PC, gay rights, luddite, inclusiveness, Neocon, global village, teabagger, glass ceiling, junk science, public option, I didn’t inhale.”  (p.9)  He then goes on to describe each “virus” and provide related examples and stories.

I think Cooker’s work is a very timely piece.  Currently I live in Wisconsin, which as of late has become quite the politically charged state with battles waging over diminishing the rights of unions.  Heated debates have taken place on the grounds of the state capitol between the deeply polarized sides.  I appreciated Cooker’s humorous take on the partisan arguing in our nation.  The way that he describes the different “viruses” is quite amusing and in most cases spot on.  I believe that “Cure Your Democracy: The Infection, Spread, and Treatment of Contagious Opinions” is a great book to help diffuse a little of the current tension that exists in America today.

Cure Your Democracy: The Infection, Spread, and Treatment of Contagious Opinions
John Cooker, MRI
Spin Doctor Press (2011)
ISBN 9780983572404
Reviewed by Kam Aures for Rebecca’s Reads (06/11)

Law and Peace

The title of this book is a misnomer? With law and lawyers how can peace ever prevail…and more importantly how can lawyers live in a world of peace. I am reminded of the work “Utopia”  wherein it is remarked that there are no lawyers in Utopia…for lawyers are persons who take advantage of misfortune- and Utopia is the perfect society, the only society were law and peace prevails.

Having read “Law and Disorder” a couple of years back, I knew that the author Tim Kevan has the stuff in him to give you a punch…but what  “Law and Peace” provides is not merely a punch, but a real kick that will knock you over.

BabyBarista the protagonist whom we first met in “Law and Disorder” has learned the hard tricks of the trade…lying, cheating and all other underhand dealings to become a good lawyer. But BabyB is deep in financial trouble. He has to get out quick- come clean and save his neck…otherwise everything would be downhill. So does BabyB deal with it? Like a good lawyer he engages in shifty deals, blackmail and some share dealing techniques the types of which one might not even have heard in Wall Street.

What follows is a hilariously funny read which satires the legal profession to its maximum. Not since the days of A. P. Herbert and Laurance Polak has the humorous side of law been so much explored.  The demise of John Mortimer a couple of years back left a void in pure legal fiction….and now that vacuum has been filled. Welcome Tim Kevan, the John Mortimer of the 21st century.

Law and Peace
Tim Kevan
Tim Kevan
ISBN 9781408814215
Reviewed by Narayan Radhakrishnan for Rebecca's Reads (6/11)

21st Century Great Global Depression: The Perfect Economic Storm

"21st Century Great Global Depression,"  just like the name implies, is intended to scare the reader about the apocalyptical economic crash, which would be inevitable unless urgent action is taken by the American society.

Starting off with a recap of the recent economic crisis, which is still taking place and has taken a major toll on people around the globe, Mr. Harrison introduces the causes to the problem – easy credit, Wall Street crooks, governmental mismanagement of funds, etc. This worrisome truth is backed up by hard facts and examples, without unsupported blabber. Everyone has been affected by the crisis in one way or another, and almost everyone has played a role in accelerating this economic downturn. The excessive consumerism, credit card debt, loans and mortgages, which could not be repaid, are a huge part of the problem. For the most part, Americans lived outside of their limits, living day by day, without much look into the future. This narrow sightedness put the world onto its knees. However, much of this could have been prevented by proper leadership action, explicitly mentioned in the book, quite obvious people. The proper control of the financial sector would have prevented or at least weakened the devastating effects of the crisis. Almost no action was taken by the U.S. government, until after the doom day. And what action has it been! Those at fault were not punished in any way, but even rewarded, while most of the American society ended picking up the bill for all the bailouts and stimuli.

The government and financial sector is presenting the current situation and the near future as very promising with an upwards trend. The author tells the reader an opposite situation. Since there was practically no lesson learned from the recent crisis, without much intervention, a new crisis – “the Global Great Depression” is around the corner. This time, the disaster will have detrimental consequences, possibly destroying America and taking away its prosperity, prestige, and influence. The predictions are incredibly pessimistic and over the top. However, I believe, a bit of exaggeration is supposed to serve as a wake-up call, a hyperbolic call to arms. Action is needed, and the public needs to realize that, making sure their representatives are doing their job.

Overall, the text provides a thorough independent analytical perspective into the economic crisis with an excessively pessimistic foreshadowing of the near future.

21st Century Great Global Depression: The Perfect Economic Storm
Orest Andrew Harrison
Outskirts Press, Inc. (2010)
ISBN 9781432758073
Reviewed by Andrey Bilko for RebeccasReads (6/11)

The Simple Man's Burden

I’ve spent the last three days toiling…trying to figure out how to write a good review for “The Simple Man’s Burden” by author Vergil Den. Unfortunately I was stumped then and I’m still stumped now.

Where do I begin? Well, the cover was unusual. The book’s title “The Simple Man’s Burden” was underlined however when I looked closer I saw that the “underline” was actually a metal closet rod from which both a pressed man’s suit and eleven empty hangers hung. Below that were the words “Observations and Reflections from Within the Complex.” Mm hmm… Interesting… I wondered if I was going to open the book and find myself reading about some Communist compound that everyone who was unfortunate enough to be stuck inside was trying to escape. Maybe that feeling was the author’s intent; if so, then kudos to him. I flipped the book over and read the back. The author’s comment that “he is a recovering Empty Suit” threw me for a loop but at least the jacket’s artwork made perfect sense now.

In “The Simple Man’s Burden” the author wants us to follow along and experience a day in the life of a quietly desperate company man. This unhappy man, who is a management consultant, shares with us his dark and cynical thoughts about this absurd and unpredictable day. Did I mention that these thoughts are supposed to be humorous? According to the jacket they are supposed to be “bizarrely humorous” and have been compared to “Bloom County,” “Office Space,” and “Monty Python.” While I haven’t seen “Bloom County” I have watched “Monty Python” and “Office Space.” I may not have laughed at everything they contained but I did laugh at some. That’s more that I can say for this book which elicited from me a total of one half-hearted snicker during its entirety.

Sadly, I found “The Simple Man’s Burden” a burden to read. The author, Vergil Den, seems intent on writing in a very pompous and garrulous manner. He has a plethora of gratuitously polysyllabic words of which ubiquitous seems to be one of his favorites. He drones on and on about the wrongs of almost everything and it seems as if nothing is safe from his overly critical opinion and let me reiterate his opinion even though more often than not he presents it as fact. A tiny example: his bold assertion that all ESs (Empty Suits) are golfers. Has he met every single “ES” in the world? Maybe a better statement would be that he’s sure all ESs are golfers…not that they are. And honestly does it really matter if they are or aren’t? And just out of curiosity…isn’t labeling a form of discrimination?

I could continue indefinitely with my criticism but I won’t. Suffice it to say that I neither enjoyed nor agreed with the message in “The Simple Man’s Burden.” And lastly, I found the author’s voice to be exceptionally critical, disdainful, condescending, and mean-spirited toward mankind in general.

The Simple Man's Burden
Vergil Den
Aventine Press (2010)
ISBN 9781593307004
Reviewed by Charline Ratcliff for RebeccasReads (3/11)

Point Deception

“At first Kelly refused the undercover assignment.  His personal code of honor would not allow him to betray a friend, especially one who had saved his life, on more than one occasion.  That might have been the end of it, but for subsequent events sealing his decision to enter the shadow world of drug and human trafficking as an undercover narcotics agent sponsored by his friend and mentor Rodolfo Guzman, a kingpin in the powerful and ruthless Campeche Cartel.”  (p. 7) These words are from the opening chapter of Jim Gilliam’s novel “Point Deception.”

After the present day, the scene then shifts to Kelly’s childhood and when his adventurous life really begins as he lies about how old he is and joins the Coast Guard at the age of 14.  We follow Kelly through combat in Vietnam and then through his career as an undercover narcotics agent.

One thing that I found interesting was in the “about the author” section on the back cover.  It says, “Like his protagonist, Jim Gilliam ran away from home and joined the Coast Guard at 14.”  I like that fact that he used parts of his own real life and incorporated them into the novel.  He also states in the Epilogue that although the book is fiction, whenever he was relaying actual events, he strove to depict them as accurately as he could.

The story is full of suspense and will hold the reader’s attention.  The layout of the book is a little different as there is spacing down to a new paragraph after about every 1-2 sentences throughout most of the book.  In some instances this seemed to disrupt the natural flow of the novel for me.  All in all though, I think that anyone who enjoys military fiction will enjoy “Point Deception.”

Point Deception
Jim Gilliam
Book Locker (2011)
ISBN 9781609106201
Reviewed by Kam Aures for Rebecca’s Reads (03/11)

BOOMERS Tales from the Subjected Plain

I’m unsure where to begin in my review of “BOOMERS Tales from the Subjected Plain.” A week or so ago I was asked if I would be interested in reviewing this title by author F. Korn. I did my usual research and while I found the book’s cover to be unappealing at least the jacket blurb seemed…different and unusual…so I agreed. “BOOMERS Tales from the Subjected Plain” is supposed to be a daytime soap opera set in a time before high-speed internet when, for the “Boomer” generation Friday nights meant singles bars and Sunday nights were for singles at church. Anyway, my copy arrived and I found a secluded corner and began to read.

First things first; I read the two short passages Korn provided in lieu of a dedication. The first, a quote from Paradise Lost, was interesting and I idly wondered if that was where the author derived some inspiration for part of the book’s title. The second paragraph, from Heinrich Heine, was in German and I was slightly taken aback. Couldn’t Korn have provided an English translation for those of us who aren’t fluent in German? Well… Okay… Fine… I chalked it up to the author’s artistic style and continued reading.

Next came the Prologue; I’m sure I had a look of complete bewilderment on my face as I read it. Once I’d managed to work my way through those three pages I immediately flipped the book over to read the back cover again. Nope, it hadn’t changed; it was still understandable. This is more than I can say for the Prologue or even for the remainder of the book. In all honesty, if the jacket blurb had read the same way that this entire book reads I would have turned the review request down in about three seconds flat.

My eyes continued down the back cover when I was stopped by the words “he has published poetry and prose in a variety of journals.” Mm hmm… The universe is starting to make sense again. While I appreciate the fact that there are many types of genres for books I also understand that there are some unspoken rules for writing which really shouldn’t be broken. For instance, poetry can be a wonderful tapestry of words that can elicit powerful imagery or heartfelt emotions. I’m sure anyone who has ever read poetry understands the way it “flows.” The way it conveys its message in short clips that in any other genre would require much more explanation and/or description. In other words one wouldn’t right a novel the same way one would write a poem. Or at least one shouldn’t. Books usually tell a story - the key word in this sentence being tell. Unfortunately “BOOMERS Tales from the Subjected Plain” reads like a cross between an eclectic foreign poem recently translated into English and the hastily scribbled notes a psychoanalyst might take during a session with his or her client. “BOOMERS Tales from the Subjected Plain” might have been “darkly humorous” and have had “unforgettable characters” as promised on the back cover if the author had actually taken the time to bring each person to life instead of providing us with a clinical dossier that seemed to lack all the key elements.

To sum up? “BOOMERS Tales from the Subjected Plain” was a very weird read for me. Because of how it was written I felt as though I was being forced to read it at a break-neck pace not to mention that I found the writing style itself to be severely lacking and peculiarly composed…

BOOMERS Tales from the Subjected Plain
F. Korn
Lapsus House (2011)
ISBN 9781608447640
Reviewed by Charline Ratcliff for RebeccasReads (3/11)

Re-Volt! Our Impending Energy Revolution

Within the next thirty years there is going to be an energy revolution.  It will affect you so you may as well be informed.  In the Introduction to “Re-Volt!  Our Impending Energy Revolution,” Jeremy Gorman tells us that, “This book is your survival guide.  It discloses, explores, and explains not only present practices, but also how we got here and what you must do to make the coming change beneficial.  Better still, Re-Volt! invites your ideas and your solutions to the problems we face.  The problem is immense, but there is no problem too big to solve if we all get involved.  Join in.  You will be involved anyhow, so it might as well be by choice and in support of your goals and aims.” (p.v)

Following this invitation to join in, chemist/chemical engineer Gorman takes an in depth look at many different types of energy available to us, including but not limited to wind, solar, nuclear, and geothermal energy.  I think that Gorman’s book is a very timely one and provides the reader with a plethora of information.  I learned an immense amount about different forms of energy and feel so much more educated about the subject matter than I was before I read the book.

There are so many sources of underutilized and untapped energy in this world and it is time to turn our focus toward them.  As Gorman states, “Oil and coal dominate our energy sources because they are easy to use and because we have already developed the technology to use them.  They have been cost effective.  But they are both finite resources that are being used up.”  (p.129)  It is past time to take a look at the alternatives and Gorman’s book lays many options out for us in a straight-forward and insightful manner.  I recommend “Re-Volt!  Our Impending Energy Revolution” to anyone who wants to educate themselves about the subject matter and to be an informed participant in the imminent energy revolution.

Re-Volt! Our Impending Energy Revolution
Jeremy Gorman
Strategic Book Group (2011)
ISBN 9781609767426
Reviewed by Kam Aures for RebeccasReads (05/11)

The Employee Rights Handbook: Effective Legal Strategies to Protect Your Job from Interview to Pink Slip (Law As It Applies to Other Pro)

This book should be read by everyone, several times.  Not only does the author speak to everyone that is an employee but also the employers; what they can and can not do is spelled out in black and white. The text covers everything from interview questions to post employment benefits. Those just entering the workforce should be required to read this book.

I have read several employment law books in my day but none were as well written and informative as this one.  Everyone can understand it, there is no legal jargon to intimidate the reader and make them feel as though they aren’t smart enough to stand up for themselves.  Attorney Sack guides the reader through various scenarios, explaining each step as he goes.

The book is laid out in a very easy to follow format which makes it very simple to find the topic of interest and flip to the page.  There is no need to dig for information and try to decipher where the needed text may be hidden.

The author does a wonderful job of explaining the law and at the same time letting the reader know that some cases require an attorney.  In these times no one should be without this book.

The Employee Rights Handbook: Effective Legal Strategies to Protect Your Job from Interview to Pink Slip (Law As It Applies to Other Pro)
Steven Mitchell Sack
Legal Strategies Inc (2010)
ISBN 9780963630674
Reviewed by Melissa Koltes for RebeccasReads (11/10)

Fatal Dilemmas

It's easy to categorize our popular legal thriller novelists. If you want fast paced action and crusading attorneys, look for John Grisham; if verisimilitude is your cup of tea look no further that Scott Turow. And if law and power in high places is your inclination, Richard North Patterson is the answer for you. And if you like lawyers to be feisty and gorgeous looking; look no further than Lisa Scottoline. That said all these lawyer novelists are commanding the legal thriller scenario in the last ten odd years. A rising star in this realm is John Dicke.

And the greatest facet about the Dike legal novels are that; save for the series protagonist no two books read alike. They are totally different, yet legally thought provoking. As an aficionado of legal fiction I can only place Dicke somewhere in between Scott Turow and Richard North Patterson. Dicke is in a class of his own.

This time round Jack Maine’s help is sought by psychologist Lucas Chrtisopher; who is the prime accused in a case involving the murder of his former wife. His present girlfriend Hallie Jordan introduces Christopeher to Jack Maine. And soon Maine is involved in the thick of action…of greed, sex, lies, double crosses and perversions. How Maine defends his client to the fullest forms the background of the story. The final, taut courtroom drama is mildly put awesome, and I was hooked to the pages.

I enjoyed this book very  much, and only two questions remains to be asked:

   1. when is the movie version of Fatal Dilemmas goanna be released?
   2. when in the next Jack Maine work going to be published?

Fatal Dilemmas
John Dicke
CreateSpace (2010)
ISBN 9781452820156
Reviewed by Narayan for RebeccasReads.com (01/11)

State of the World 2011: Nourishing the Planet

As a collection of essays and reports addressing the issues of global hunger, this year’s Worldwatch Institute’s report accomplishes its goals in presenting the problems, their sources, and possible way of improving agriculture and feeding the planet more efficiently. The vast multitude of authors and contributors are from various backgrounds working for mostly independent, private companies and organizations connected to some element or process dealing with global agriculture and food supplies. Not sponsored by the government, the research work and compilation of studies and reports in this book is non-biased in any way, stating only true facts.

A positive outlook and attitude is seen throughout the book. New innovations and improvements in the agricultural sector are presented and discussed, with a promising future. With 925 million people (98 million fewer than the year before) worldwide being undernourished and one child dying from that cause every six seconds, new strategies addressing the issue of global hunger are explained. Crucial and essential work has been done describing one of the most important global issues toward which the developed world often turns its shoulder. These easy-to-ignore issues are also relatively easy and cheap to fix, there is just not enough political interest in them. One of the goals of this book is to elevate the interest towards such an imperative topic as global hunger. While so many Americans overeat and even plainly waste food, close to a billion people around the globe have to fight towards every meal, counting every bread crumb, while still losing the battle... It is time to act and eliminate undernourishment, and this report not only motivates readers to take action, but most importantly provides guidance of what can be done.

A recommended read for everyone curious about global issues, poverty, food crises, and sustainable agriculture, especially for politicians and policy makers.

State of the World 2011: Nourishing the Planet
The Worldwatch Institute
W. W. Norton & Company, Inc. (2011)
ISBN 9780393338805
Reviewed by Andrey Bilko for RebeccasReads (1/11)

Our Promised Land

Although a work of fiction, much of Michael T. Darkow’s novel, “Our Promised Land” mirrors real life events.  The main story revolves around the conflict over the Holy Land.  In the beginning of the book, Darkow presents us with a timeline reference as his story is rooted in events that took place in the past.

There are two main characters in the book:  Ellie and Yasif, one Israeli and one Palestinian.  When we first meet Ellie, him and his mother are being uprooted from their homes and sent off to be “resettled.”  Once they arrive, the group they are with is ushered into the showers, except for Ellie who is ordered to put everyone’s clothes into a wagon.  One of the most vivid scenes in the book for me was when Ellie was separated from his mother, she in the showers and he bringing the clothes out.  His return to the area was blocked by a soldier, the door was shut, and the showers turned on.  “For an eternity, they stood there, just outside the door.  Then they began, muffled at first then reaching a crescendo- the screams of terror that would stay with Ellie for the rest of his days upon this earth.  Ellie collapsed to his knees and wept, his hands held out to the colonel in supplication.  The colonel smirked at him with satisfaction, then motioned to the soldiers.  They hoisted Ellie to his feet by both arms, but Ellie was unable to walk on his paralyzed legs, so they dragged him along.” (p. 19 -20)  Eventually Ellie is liberated from the concentration camp and begins a fight in support of the Jewish people.

Yasif, is a Palestinian, who left his homeland after he was given an opportunity to study in America.  His family was not completely on board with the decision as his mother in particular harbored resentment towards the Jewish people who made this opportunity possible.  Although in America, he is also drawn into the struggle.

The characters in the book are very memorable and the issues and struggles that they face on their respective sides of the conflict really make the reader think.  Even though the book is fictional, there is a reality behind it and that is what makes the book quite haunting and one that will stick in your head long after the last page is turned.  Although the book is a short one at only 162 pages, it is definitely a powerful work.  I think that “Our Promised Land” would be a wonderful selection for a book club as there are many different topics of discussion that this book would open up.

Our Promised Land
Michael T. Darkow
Synergy Books (2010)
ISBN 9780984076017
Reviewed by Kam Aures for Rebeccasreads.com (03/10)