The Haj
by Leon Uris
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 633)
Read in January, 2000
Although this book seems to divide the good/bad characters along cultural lines, possibly from some biased thinking from Uris himself, I think it should be required reading for every high school student so they might better understand the (general) mentality of some cultures from the Middle East. Don't look for happy times or butterfly endings here, as the book mirrors the trajedy that IS life in the Middle East; a set of cultures and values that have existed for millenia and that most American...more
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Read in July, 2008
recommends it for:
Serious students of the Middle East
"We wanted to build a Singapore and they wanted a Somalia" I heard those words from an Israeli businessman as I looked over the Erez crossing and industrial park. What I saw of the Palestinian areas during my visit there conforms to what this book has to say about the impact of the religion, the wars and the culture on Palestinian society. This is a sad and depressing book, as it gives you a view from the Palestinian side of the events before and after the establishment of Israel. It i...more
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Read in September, 2007
I picked up this book, thinking that it would be set in Saudi Arabia at the time of the Haj - the pilgrimage to Mecca. Instead it is about the head of a clan who has made the journey to Mecca and takes the name Haj as a title. It is an interesting read as far as Palestinian thought and reason (or lack thereof!) Since I live in the Middle East, I can attest to the reality of the profile presented in the book. There were points in reading the book when I had to pause and say to myself, "O...more
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Read in August, 2007
recommends it for:
not people who are sensitive to religion
The Haj is a book which forms a number of opinions on Islam, Chritianity and the Jewish religion. It gets a little bit difficult to digest all the interconnections among the 3 religions, however the author does a great job in explaning the events.
What did i learn from it???
Well, most importantly the Middle East crisis. It gave me a very good picture of whats happening in the Middle East. Be it Israel/Palestine, The Arab world, Sunni and Shiia, Jews and Muslims, Jews and Christians, Jorde...more
What did i learn from it???
Well, most importantly the Middle East crisis. It gave me a very good picture of whats happening in the Middle East. Be it Israel/Palestine, The Arab world, Sunni and Shiia, Jews and Muslims, Jews and Christians, Jorde...more
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Read in December, 2004
On a purely aesthetic level, I enjoyed this book. Judging it purely as a novel, I'd rate it higher; I like Uris's writing style and the plot drew me in. But as a work of historical fiction, it scores lower for me. Without knowing enough about the Arab-Israeli conflict to be able to specifically dispute any of the historical analysis implied by the story, I came away feeling that the it couldn't be anything other than biased. As I recall it, the Jews come off as nobler people, entirely wrong...more
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Read in March, 2008
A certainly biased look at the origins of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, as it was written by Jewish Leon Uris. It leaves doubts in my mind as a reader as to how fictional or nonfictional some of these events are. I understand it's a fictional novel, but the book spends a lot of time trying to paint the picture of Arab life in the Middle East. The more liberal side of me hopes that Uris has painted a falsified and horribly inaccurate picture because I wish people didn't have to live like tha...more
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I found this book absolutely necessary for anyone to read who wants to understand the Arab culture and how their view of Jewish people is to their own demise.
Leon Uris has written this from the inside perspective using Arab characters and their tribal life as the basis of achieving these profound insights.
I would recommend that all high school students be required to read this book to understand the Arab culture, the Middle Eastern conflict and the resourcefulness as well as kindness, of t...more
Leon Uris has written this from the inside perspective using Arab characters and their tribal life as the basis of achieving these profound insights.
I would recommend that all high school students be required to read this book to understand the Arab culture, the Middle Eastern conflict and the resourcefulness as well as kindness, of t...more
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Read in January, 2008
Just started this last week while journeying back from Death Valley. A bit confusing, but then again, what history of mankind isn't a bit confusing. I really love Leon Uris' historical fiction. More history than fiction to me. But given the war and my confusion with the Middle East conflicts---I wanted to know more. I just hope I can actually put all the pieces together by the end. Similar to Trinity, he shows just how much the British & French governments have **ed with people to get...more
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Read in December, 2007
This was an incredible book. It was very difficult to read parts and was a little racy at times - language, etc,. Takes place in the Middle East in early 20th century, during and after World War II. I think the author gave a pretty accurate portrayal of the conflict with the Muslims/Jews/Christians. Story focuses on the son of Haj Ibrahim a Muktar in the Middle East. Story has elements of revenge, love, hatred, family relationships, friendships, ignorance, and extreme hardships. Shows how blind ...more
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Read in January, 2006
So many times in the west...we only hear the side of the Israelies in the conflict over what used to be known as Palestine. Uris has taken great pains to tell the story of the people already living on the land that was ultimately turned into Israel...and what their story is. If you wish to gain some insight into the roots of a conflict that has no end...this would be a good read. As a historuical fiction...the people may not be "real" but their hearts and the events ring true.
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Has a copy to sell/swap
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Read in February, 2008
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
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Read in August, 2008
Not the easiest read in the world, but a great look at the history of the Palestinian refugees. I was amazed by the fact that the story is told from the Arab point of view, yet it is the Jews that come across as reasonable, honest, desiring of peace, etc.
This book has definitely given me a desire to read some non-fiction on the history of the Arab/Israeli conflict. I want to know how historically accurate this book is.
This book has definitely given me a desire to read some non-fiction on the history of the Arab/Israeli conflict. I want to know how historically accurate this book is.
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Read in January, 2005
Big fan of the author. This book had a great premise, about the founding of the State of Israel from the point of view of the Palestinian people. DIsn't there a little Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn in all of us?ite the author's best attempt, he could not hide his bias in the book. Regardless, the book is great and well researched. The characters once again come to life.
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i read this book several years ago, as the Iraq war started. it was recommended to me by my dad, as it has alot of information on the middle east in it. it is fictional, but many of the elements supporting the story are real. this was an eye opener to life in the middle east. very chilling, but well written.
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The thing about Uris is that because he's so ardently dedicated to the Jewish cause, he's often unbiased and unfair to Arabic culture, as he is in this book. While historically it outlines some very tragic events that open your eyes, the general feeling is Jewish good, Arab bad.
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Read in January, 1998
Yes, I did read this my senior year of high school! But, I added it b/c it was so amazing, maybe my favorite book ever. I am pretty sure that you read it, Meggie...let's put it this way, Dad pulled a Gone with the Wind with this one, so, figured he did the same with you?:)
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Read in September, 2007
I learned a lot from this book, particularly from the early days of the Palestinian/Israeli conflict (the partition vote). Cool book, and I enjoyed it tremendously, but I felt it was very pro-Israel. Where am I going to find just the facts, ma'am?
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Read in August, 2008
I didn't enjoy this book as much as I thought I was going to. The ending is very unexpected and a bit weird. There are some gruesome parts. There are also some very wonderful parts, with good storytelling. I have mixed feelings.
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Read in July, 2006
recommends it for:
Yes
This book is about the Arab culture, the creation of the State of Israel and how the Palestinians became refugees. Great book but makes you despair about ever being able to come to a resolution in the Middle East.
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Read in January, 2006
While this book is fiction it is really fact/tion. Uris did major research before writing this book about the formation of Israel and the mess the Palestinian people have made for themselves. Sad & frightening.
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