Since he was a small boy, Mosab Hassan Yousef has had an inside view of the deadly terrorist group Hamas. The oldest son of Sheikh Hassan Yousef, a...
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reviews
Dec 06, 2010
Petra X
rated it: 
I haven't read much so far, and I am duly and genuinely shocked, just as I am supposed to be, about the terrible things the Israelis did on a daily basis to the occupants of the Gaza strip. I am not terribly impressed with the glossing-over of the 'guaranteed-non-violent, peaceful, moderate' stance of Hamas during this time. When I read, continually and in detail, that the Israelis often shot innocent Palestinians for just being Palestinians but that a Palestinian just went and shot a couple of
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21 comments
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(15 people liked it)
Sep 03, 2011
Mike (the Paladin)
rated it: 
There is little I could say that would do justice to this book. If there are criticisms that could be made, I won't make them. This is a deeply felt story of a life. So far it's still a somewhat young life and I pray the best for the writer.
Is this book inspiring? In some ways. Is the book frightening? Yes in other ways. Are there lessons to be learned? Undoubtedly. Is there Hope in this story? Yes.
I'm not here to lecture, I'm not here to give a synopsis. I'll avoid that More...
Is this book inspiring? In some ways. Is the book frightening? Yes in other ways. Are there lessons to be learned? Undoubtedly. Is there Hope in this story? Yes.
I'm not here to lecture, I'm not here to give a synopsis. I'll avoid that More...
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Feb 01, 2012
Lydia
rated it:
I have been wanting to read this book for a while now. It was probably a year ago that I heard Yousef speak at a live gathering, and I was intrigued then.
The pace of the narrative, and the matter-of-fact way it is presented, make it easy to forget that this is an autobiography. It's hard for a Westerner like myself to realize things like torture, interrogation, and bullet dodging are actually a reality for some people.
The greatest thing I was able to take away from this boo More...
The pace of the narrative, and the matter-of-fact way it is presented, make it easy to forget that this is an autobiography. It's hard for a Westerner like myself to realize things like torture, interrogation, and bullet dodging are actually a reality for some people.
The greatest thing I was able to take away from this boo More...
Jan 17, 2012
Amy
rated it:
fascinating account of the Isreali/Palestinian conflicts from the viewpoint of a Palestinian with close interactions with Hamas& the Jewish Shin Bet. His story of his conversion to Christianity, and how his changing beliefs influenced his choices was fascinating.
He was dedicated to his family, yet tried to create understanding between warring factions. Yousef's description's of his father & other terrorists, his admiration for & friendship with many of them, helped me to see them a More...
He was dedicated to his family, yet tried to create understanding between warring factions. Yousef's description's of his father & other terrorists, his admiration for & friendship with many of them, helped me to see them a More...
Oct 08, 2011
Melike
rated it: 
Just like some other people in the review part, I was also very eager to start the book and in fact finished it within 6 hours in 2 days. I felt quite offended and disappointed. felt offended after having read his sentences about Islam when he first decided to convert into Christianity. Converting into another religion is acceptable and one should respect, yet he also should have respected his previuos religion and have not uttered those words. Hamas does not mean Islam, and Islam is not a hosti
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Jul 08, 2011
David
rated it:
Apparently this book was a best seller and caused all kinds of waves when it was published. I must live under a rock because I never heard of it, though I vaguely remember hearing something about the author possibly being deported (he wasn't). Anyway, I caught it on the Kindle for like one dollar and it looked interesting.
It was interesting. Parts of it were fascinating. When Mosab stuck to telling of his relationship with his father, a major Hamas leader, and of his spiritual jo More...
It was interesting. Parts of it were fascinating. When Mosab stuck to telling of his relationship with his father, a major Hamas leader, and of his spiritual jo More...
Jun 19, 2011
John
rated it:
There’s a saying that sometimes truth is stranger than fiction. This book is proof that truth can be more exciting as well.
Mosab Hassan Yousef is the son of Sheikh Hassan Yousef, one of the founders of Hamas, an Islamic resistance movement which has been classified as a terrorist organization. His father remains one of the organization’s most prominent members and spokesmen.
This book, written with help from Ron Brackin, is Mosab’s story of growing up in the Gaza Strip, taking More...
Mosab Hassan Yousef is the son of Sheikh Hassan Yousef, one of the founders of Hamas, an Islamic resistance movement which has been classified as a terrorist organization. His father remains one of the organization’s most prominent members and spokesmen.
This book, written with help from Ron Brackin, is Mosab’s story of growing up in the Gaza Strip, taking More...
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Jun 15, 2011
Alex
rated it:
Son of Hamas is probably the most important book I've read this year. It's an autobiography account Mosab Yousef, eldest son of one of the founders of the terrorist organization Hamas, and an extraordinary insider's view of the infamous organization.
According to Yousef, Hamas didn't begin as a terrorist organization. In fact, his father isn't a terrorist in one sense (Yousef is at pains to paint his father as a man who doesn't engage in or actively encourage acts of terror), but ra More...
According to Yousef, Hamas didn't begin as a terrorist organization. In fact, his father isn't a terrorist in one sense (Yousef is at pains to paint his father as a man who doesn't engage in or actively encourage acts of terror), but ra More...
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Dec 15, 2010
Linda
rated it: 
Mosab begins his book with a letter to his family, acknowledging the pain, deep wounds, and separation he has caused by his choices. Had he stayed and become a terrorist, he would have gained the status of hero, dedicated to his faith, family and nation. But he does not think he would have been much of a hero, based on the Lord’s commands he now holds dearly. Instead, he is now considered a traitor in their eyes, bringing shame instead of pride. Once a royal prince, he is now a stranger in a
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(2 people liked it)
Oct 05, 2010
Lisa
rated it:
I would never have picked up this book to read on my own. I'm so glad it was a bookclub book. I've always been sort of pro-Israel when hearing about events in the conflict between them and the Palestinians. This is probably due to all the WWII and Holocaust books I've read. Why can't they finally have a country of their own? And what better place than their original spot? Right? Reading this book was such an education. To see things from the point of view of a Palestinian who ended up no
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Sep 07, 2010
Amy
rated it:
Intense, fascinating, and intriguing, Son of Hamas is the true account of author Mosab Hassan Yousef’s life as the eldest son of one of Hamas’ founding members, Sheihk Hassan Yousef. Mosab offers readers an inside look at one of the world’s most dangerous terrorist organizations and explains why Israelis and Palestinians continue to fight one another. Not only that, in the middle of working with Israel against Hamas, Mosab becomes a Christian. It is a tale so twisted that it must be true.
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Jun 01, 2010
Daniel
rated it: 
Son of Hamas was an interesting read. I bought it because its combination of memoir with the Middle East crisis intrigued me. Author Mosam Hassan Yousef’s father was one of the founding members of the radical Palestinian group Hamas and with this genealogy comes a life that few of us can imagine. His memoir of the last twenty years transcends religious thought and political ideology to give readers a compassionate view of the conflict in the Middle East. Many wrenches are thrown in the gears
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(1 person liked it)
May 29, 2010
Tempe
rated it:
This is a fascinating book written by the son of one of the founders of the Hamas, a Palestinian terror organization. It chronicles his youth as the son of a devout Muslim iman, to his years in prison, then follows his years as a spy for Israel.
Mosab's autobiography reads like a spy thriller. He was uniquely positioned to see the inner workings of the Palestinian terror organizations plus the inner world of the Israeli FBI. The book is interesting on two fronts: First, it is an i More...
Mosab's autobiography reads like a spy thriller. He was uniquely positioned to see the inner workings of the Palestinian terror organizations plus the inner world of the Israeli FBI. The book is interesting on two fronts: First, it is an i More...
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(3 people liked it)
Apr 23, 2010
Maureen
rated it:
This really is a gripping account of all the things the subtitle promises. It's full of details we don't hear about in the news. We only hear about the violence between Palestinians and Israelis, but this book explains in detail what and why it's going on. I bought it in Kindle form and I wished I'd bought the actual book instead, because there is a glossary of terms and list of people at the end which would have been more convenient to flip to with a book instead of on the Kindle - and the map
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Mar 24, 2010
Veronica
rated it:
I can't remember running out and getting a book hot off the shelf like I did with this book and it lived up to every penny. First of all if you are any bit interested in the complicated middle east conflict this book will educate you on the war that won't end. This isn't a simple political conflict, this is a vast web of history, faith, family and land. He shares his unique experience, as son of Hamas as he grows in his new found faith and also journeys through the sad reality that Islam will n
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Mar 08, 2010
Lydia
rated it:
The title of this book describes exactly what it is. It is a gripping, powerful, terrifying tale of unbelievable choices, political intrigue and betrayal of the most potent sort.
Mosab Hassan Yousef, known as the "Green Prince" to the Shin Bet (an Israeli intelligence service comparable to America's FBI), is the oldest song of Sheikh Hassan Yousef, a cofounder and leader of Hamas since 1986. What is Hamas? It is an Islamic resistance movement in the West Bank and Gaza, lis More...
Mosab Hassan Yousef, known as the "Green Prince" to the Shin Bet (an Israeli intelligence service comparable to America's FBI), is the oldest song of Sheikh Hassan Yousef, a cofounder and leader of Hamas since 1986. What is Hamas? It is an Islamic resistance movement in the West Bank and Gaza, lis More...
Mar 05, 2010
AP story, 3/5/2010: The son of a Hamas leader who helped Israel's security forces kill and arrest members of the Islamic terrorist group says he's not afraid to die.
Mosab Hassan Yousef tells The Associated Press he's willing to speak out about Hamas' brutalities and the evils of Islam even if it gets him killed.
Yousef's memoir-- Son of Hamas -- was published this week. In it, he describes his more than ten-year relationship with Israeli security service Shin Bet.
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Mosab Hassan Yousef tells The Associated Press he's willing to speak out about Hamas' brutalities and the evils of Islam even if it gets him killed.
Yousef's memoir-- Son of Hamas -- was published this week. In it, he describes his more than ten-year relationship with Israeli security service Shin Bet.
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Jun 30, 2011
Jeanie
rated it:
I do not claim to understand what is going on in the middle east, however, I do know that it does affect us all. Son of Hamas, is a gripping account of a perspective of that. It was a fast read with information that some will remember accounts but maybe not the whole story. I think the book is a good protrayal of his life and upbringing in the Muslim faith. I was drawn to the closeness of family but how easily family is sacrificed all in the name of Allah and ideals. It is heart wrenching t
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Mar 29, 2011
Khaya
rated it:
What the heck do I do with this book?
Initially Mosab enraged me. The author's perspective as a Palestinian engaging in gratuitous acts of violence toward Israelis as a child and painting the Israelis as the big bad bullies was infuriating, especially in light of the recent murder of a three-month-old Israeli baby by Palestinians, not to mention a bomb just a few blocks away from me targeting innocent civilians at a bus station going about their business.
But then Mosab wr More...
Initially Mosab enraged me. The author's perspective as a Palestinian engaging in gratuitous acts of violence toward Israelis as a child and painting the Israelis as the big bad bullies was infuriating, especially in light of the recent murder of a three-month-old Israeli baby by Palestinians, not to mention a bomb just a few blocks away from me targeting innocent civilians at a bus station going about their business.
But then Mosab wr More...
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(2 people liked it)
Aug 29, 2011
Vagrant
rated it:
HAMAS... the name says it all.. isnt it? Inside one of the most fascinating cover page and a brilliantly selected title we can actually find a candid story of guy who expressions are more candid. Expected the story(read non-fiction) to be outright disclosure of the secrets of Hamas and Mossad and what I found was some religious pampam and more importantly a blunt depiction of the events in one of the most cruel parts of the world. The author's father was a founding member and insights of Hamas t
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Sep 22, 2011
Douglas
rated it:
This book is really interesting and contains at least three stories. The first would be the first hand look at the Israeli and Arab conflict told from someone with the ultimate inside knowledge. It really puts a face to news stories from the past 15 to 20 years. The second story is that of Yousef and his relationship to his father and fellow Arabs. This story is in my opinion the most fascinating one. It is obvious the Yousef thinks the tactics that his father has turned to are evil and ineffect
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Jun 17, 2011
Naum
rated it:
Fascinating and courageous autobiographical story of Mosab Hassan Yousef, son of one of Hamas founders, a notorious cleric, well known in the West Bank, and internationally. Mosab, at a young age, became a mole for Israel Shin Bet (Israel secret security) and actively worked with them to arrest and kill Hamas operatives.
Even though co-authored, it is written at a grade-school level. But that did not trouble me as much as my 'spidey-sense' triggered to what was left out, or elements t More...
Even though co-authored, it is written at a grade-school level. But that did not trouble me as much as my 'spidey-sense' triggered to what was left out, or elements t More...
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Apr 29, 2010
Jane
rated it:
This autobiography of the son of one of Hamas' founders was hard to put down. I gained some insights into daily life as a Palestinian activist, and how the author struggled during his father's repeated imprisonments. A well known Imam, his father was greatly loved for his kind, caring personality and guidance. However, the book illustrates the hypocrisy of his neighbors who, while professing to adore him, totally ignored the plight of his family during his many imprisonments. Yet, those sam
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Mar 30, 2010
Trish
rated it:
I am terribly conflicted about this memoir. Certainly I see the plight of the Palestinians as something that must be addressed and resolved. Certainly I see the leadership issues in Palestine as a major difficulty in resolving outstanding issues with Israel, within and between their own representative parties, and with the rest of the world. Perhaps 'the West' can never talk to 'Muslims' with mutual respect--but I don't really believe that. I don't think either side has ever been very successful
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Sep 04, 2011
Dave
rated it:
Some parts of this book were truly hard to believe however, I did some google work upon completing "Son of Hamas" and found that Mosab Hassan Yousef was indeed disowned by his father in regard to the allegations that he worked as a spy for the Israeli's and had eventually converted to Christianity.
The work is not incredibly well-written but the fascinating subject matter will keep most readers intrigued.
I found the descriptions in the beginning of the book as to More...
The work is not incredibly well-written but the fascinating subject matter will keep most readers intrigued.
I found the descriptions in the beginning of the book as to More...
Dec 09, 2010
Becca
rated it:
There is so much propaganda circulating about the Middle East. In my experience, Western news tends to pour in from two extreme camps. Most Americans feel they must chose between either a blind allegiance toward Israel (regardless of her actions) or the belief that Islam is a fundamentally peaceful religion. For years I have wrestled with these choices, as neither felt accurate. Every 'expert' I have found in the past has left me with the sensation that he/she was pulling for one political facti
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Jun 08, 2010
Jason
rated it:
You don't comprehend the sociopolitical relationship between Israel and Hamas!? Neither do I. Neither do most of us. Neither, still, do people living in Israel and the occupied territories--who have a mortal interest in their own sociopolitics. Neither do people who work for Israeli Defense Forces (military), Mossad (CIA equivalent), or the Shin Bet (FBI equivalent)--who have a security interest in the sociopolitics. Neither do people in Hamas, Hizbollah, Fatah, or the Palestinian Authority
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Aug 15, 2010
Dan
rated it:
An absolutely amazing story conveyed in an absolutely mediocre manner. Mosab Hassan Yousef, the son of one of the founders of Hamas, a key operative in that organization, an Israeli spy and finally a professing Christian living in America, has lived an extraordinary life, witnessing events first-hand that most people only see on the evening news. His experiences put him in a unique position to comment on the ongoing Arab-Israel conflict. Unfortunately this book provides only a glimmer of insight
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May 17, 2011
John
rated it:
The author, Mosab Hassan Yousef, is the son of one of the seven founders of Hamas, the militant Palestinian group bent on the destruction of Israel. His father, who by his son's description defies every stereotype of a militant Palestinian, remains a central figure in the movement, even from prison.
A strange thing happened on Mosab's way to following in his father's footsteps: He became an informant for Shin Bet, the Israeli intelligence wing. And he became a Christian. These two events h More...
A strange thing happened on Mosab's way to following in his father's footsteps: He became an informant for Shin Bet, the Israeli intelligence wing. And he became a Christian. These two events h More...
Apr 16, 2011
Paul
rated it:
Extremely well written autobiography of the eldest son of the religious founder of Hamas in Palestine. Frustrated with the endless bloodshed, he became a spy for Israel's Shin Bet and enabled the capture of numerous notorious Middle Eastern terrorists. Along the way, he began studying the Bible, and eventually became convinced that it contains the answers both for his own life and for the Arabi-Israeli conflict.
The story is at once gripping, inspiring, and educational. Because of his More...
The story is at once gripping, inspiring, and educational. Because of his More...
