Leap of Faith: Memoirs of an Unexpected Life
by Queen of Jordan Noor
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Read in May, 2005
I picked this book up mostly because my sister is currently living in Amman, Jordan while she spends a semester abroad as part of her college studies. Before she had announced her intentions of leaving for the Middle East, my knowledge of Jordan was limited to what I had heard on the news and picked up while trying to make sense of what was going on in the world. Jordan hardly figured largely in the headlines dominated by Iraq, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Iran – any other country besides Jordan, ...more
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Read in June, 2008
recommends it for:
History Buffs, Advernture Readers, the Princess in all of us.
A Lion in Winter, I still can still see King Hussein of Jordan on the cover of Newsweek or Time, with Queen Noor (whose name means “light”), he was always a romantic figure for me. This book reveals a Royal life of adventure and diplomacy. It offers us a small delicate taste of Arab tradition and Muslim life served with the gentle a touch of an American-born Queen. A Leap of Faith is certainly a window into an unexpected life for me, I found this book, or rather it found me (as many books d...more
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Read in January, 2008
recommends it for:
Those Who Need to Learn about the Middle East
I thought that this book would be wholly different than what it turned out to be. The fact that it still earned four stars from me means that it not only changed my expectations, but also met them as well.
I expected to hear about Queen Noor's life. I expected to hear about what she did specifically as the "first lady" of Jordan. I expected to hear personal experiences and reactions to her experiences "in office."
I got some of that, but what I got was her take on expe...more
I expected to hear about Queen Noor's life. I expected to hear about what she did specifically as the "first lady" of Jordan. I expected to hear personal experiences and reactions to her experiences "in office."
I got some of that, but what I got was her take on expe...more
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Read in July, 2008
recommended to Bethany by:
Mom
I learned a lot from this book. It really opens your eyes regarding the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, albeit from her perspective. I expected more personal (and I'll admit- superficial) details about her life as Queen, but it's really not her personality. She's very down-to-earth and downplays everything. She talks about how much she despised the media for focusing on her tiara instead of the programs and organizations she was running. I admire how dedicated she was to the King; never bothe...more
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Read in April, 2006
recommended to sab by:
Krista River, my cruise performing companion
I read this while I was performing on a cruise that traveled from Egypt to Rome. One of our stops was in Jordan and, I have to say, reading this book was really helpful and truly amazing. I learned a LOT about the middle east and its culture. The fact that Queen Noor is an American on top of it all is really interesting. I don't feel comfortable with all of her political views but I appreciated hearing a different side. During my journey at the port in Aqaba, a couple of Jordanian men came ...more
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Read in July, 2008
recommends it for:
those who have a political opinion
This was a good book. It was very biased, but I can understand that. Queen Noor completely adopted the country of Jordan, and that is why she took the point of view of the Palestinians. I loved the way she adopted Jordan, and I loved the way she defended the country and the king--her husband--throughout the entire book. She got on her soap box a lot through the book, but it wasn't too bad. The one problem I had with this book is that Queen Noor never really talked about herself. She talked...more
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Read in May, 2006
recommended to Kristana by:
I think I saw it on a TV special with Queen Noor interviewedrecommends it for: People who enjoy learning about history and the Middle East
Although not particularly well-written, this book is quite interesting and memorable. It is fairly "history-heavy" and I even made notes on a lot of it so I could keep track of events.
I felt that it gives a good perspective on Eastern culture and religion from a Westerner who embraced this new life herself. Because she has lived in both worlds, she was able to give a well-rounded perspective on both without denying one or the other credibility and giving both proper respect.
I...more
I felt that it gives a good perspective on Eastern culture and religion from a Westerner who embraced this new life herself. Because she has lived in both worlds, she was able to give a well-rounded perspective on both without denying one or the other credibility and giving both proper respect.
I...more
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Read in November, 2007
Okay, I finished the book finally. I am always very interested in learning about the culture of other countries, especially ones that are so different from my own as Jordan is. I think my expectations for this one were higher than they should have been, though. Queen Noor's memoirs consist of her clearing up rumors about herself that she didn't agree with, cleaning up the reputations of her husband and herself, and educating the west on the plight of Arabs and Palestine from their point of vi...more
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Read in July, 2008
recommended to Mimi by:
book clubrecommends it for: Cori + Kimball
I listened to an NPR show about the Pal./ Isr. conflict recently and thanks to the book I felt smart and actually understood the impact and meaning from the comments made on radio.
Even though I really liked the book I had the constant feeling she was trying to convince me that King Hussein was a good man. I already loved him and their relationship when he made a daring airplane move and all the occupants of the plane got their compasses out to find the direction to Mecca to pray.
I waite...more
Even though I really liked the book I had the constant feeling she was trying to convince me that King Hussein was a good man. I already loved him and their relationship when he made a daring airplane move and all the occupants of the plane got their compasses out to find the direction to Mecca to pray.
I waite...more
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Read in December, 2007
It was interesting to learn about the middle east from a different perspective, but the book overall was dry. While I can't say my own memoirs would be fabulous, this read kind of like a high school kids diary...and since Queen Noor seemed to lose her soul to her husband and queenhood...not such an interesting diary.
I don't consider myself much a feminist, but the absence of her own opinions and self in the book was disturbing. I would like to think that the queen simply not free to share ...more
I don't consider myself much a feminist, but the absence of her own opinions and self in the book was disturbing. I would like to think that the queen simply not free to share ...more
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Read in July, 2008
recommends it for:
Emila
This memoir was insightful, touching, and educational. It is interesting to read a first-hand account Middle Eastern events, as well as to get to know a great woman and a great man. I remember King Hussein being at the Mayo Clinic, and I'm very glad to hear that they found peace and beauty in southeastern Minnesota, an area I know well, during that time.
As for claims that Queen Noor lost herself in marrying Hussein... I think she chose to give herself to a new life, which is something quit...more
As for claims that Queen Noor lost herself in marrying Hussein... I think she chose to give herself to a new life, which is something quit...more
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Great book. Queen Noor shares her first recollection of meeting the King as an American teenager and the courtship many years later which ultimately led to their marriage. Interesting perspective of a young American woman who takes on the role of Queen of Jordan. The book recounts many of her experiences, challenges and obstacles encountered along the way and how she found her place in helping to make Jordan a better place. She talks a lot about her work with the womens movement of the countr...more
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Read in December, 2007
I really enjoyed this book. We read it for a book group, and it seems that some thought it was extremely boring. I liked it because I enjoy reading and understanding cultures and lifestyles that I don't know much about. I learned a great deal- just a warning though, it does jump into middle east politics quite a bit- I, however, liked how she explained all the trouble. Her perspective from being raised in America and thrown into the middle of so many situations made it much easier for me to unde...more
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Read in January, 2005
I credit this book for my fascination with Jordan - It amazes me, as it probably will to you, that a traditional Middle Eastern state had a reigning Queen who's a blonde, California-born woman. It delves into, not only Noor's life, but also reveals a good bit of history about the kingdom itself, and the Middle East peace process that her late husband, King Hussein, was such an integral part of. I know none of you are Middle East-geeks like myself, but this is a great book for anyone to read, it ...more
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Read in July, 2008
I loved this book. It had a deeply spiritual context, born from the writer’s faith and her love for her new husband and country. Prior to reading this, I had a hazy picture of Jordan and its unique place in the Middle East. Curious about her accuracy in describing events, I investigated and confirmed that she was indeed telling the truth. Not only did I understand Jordan better, but I better understood Middle East politics. I was initially shocked by her view of Israel, but gradually I came to...more
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Read in January, 2008
She is an interesting woman who has had many unique experiences in her life. I learned a little more about how things seem to work in the Middle East, although still could and want to learn alot more. She took on a life that is so different than what we know and I believe she tried to contribute in a possitive way and has. I also had to wonder though how much was bias in her writings and what might have been seen differently by someone else, but since it was "her" memoirs, I suppose...more
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Read in May, 2008
A very good book. Interesting perspective given that she is an American who marries the King of Jordan to become Queen Noor. With all of the historical context I could relate it to the news I'd hear of while growing up. I guess though I didn't pay much attention to Jordan's role in all the Middle East events over the last few decades. Queen Noor seemed very "background", very low key - which is to be expected in an Islam marriage. I wondered if it was hard for her, since she was b...more
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Read in January, 2004
Another one of those great personal stories set in front of world history. I was facinated by the idea of an American woman becoming the queen of another country. And that country also happened to be the home of my sister's husband.
A wonderful telling of the queens life, her relationship to her husband and family, her new country, the people, and especially the women of Jordan. But also, I gained a new perspective on the incredibly complex situation that exists between the countries in ...more
A wonderful telling of the queens life, her relationship to her husband and family, her new country, the people, and especially the women of Jordan. But also, I gained a new perspective on the incredibly complex situation that exists between the countries in ...more
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Read in January, 2006
True story of real love amid the background of international royalty, wealth, and privilege. Her devotion to her husband, and her willingness to make drastic changes in her life make for rich reading. Her descriptions of political minefields that her husband had to tiptoe through gave me a greater understanding some of the challenges faced by moderates in the Middle East. She is a woman who has spent her adult life trying to use her influence for the good of others,and one to be admired for he...more
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Read in March, 2007
recommends it for:
anyone interested in jordanian politics and women
so basically i'm just not going to finish this one. i really liked what i got through, i think i'm just too wound up in my own life to have enough energy to dedicate to someone else's life mixed with middle east politics. it was really eye-opening to me in a lot of ways, she does a fantastic job of bridging the jordanian perspective and the american perspective. the thing i take away from this book is the huge extent to which our perspective can color what we think of world events. that, and the...more
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