A website called "Hipster Jew" exists

When I set out to "surf in two counties that shoot rockets at each other" I thought I'd be in for an experience that would leave me digressing: shit man . . . I've seen it all.

Well, I have not. A website named "Hipster Jew" just reviewed my book. Not exactly rocket fire, but who knew there was a hipster demographic within the Jewish community? I mean, enough to dedicated a blog and command a following? Well, here it is. And a cool cat named "Chicky" reviewed my book. Thanks brotha. Hipster on.

It’s hard to get into the publishing/writing business if you’re young and not Lena Dunham. Jesse Aizenstat succeeded while penning Surfing the Middle East only a few years out of college. It’s interest read, not only if you have a less than healthy interest in Middle Eastern politics.

The writing is simple, yet concise. Taken from a travel journal that Aizenstat wrote, he travels from Israel to Lebanon, documenting the difficulty and politics of the area – how hard it is to travel between countries, and how tolerant individuals are capable of being. It’s a heart warming book that gives hope to the Mid East crisis.

The book follows Jesse Aizenstat as he travels through the Middle East in search of finding waves on the lull Mediterranean sea. Along the way he tells about his time in the West Bank, how he briefly traveled with several American arms dealers, and how he covertly took part in a enormous Hezbollah-sponsored gathering. Along the way he made friends with Israelis, Lebanese, and even Saudi Arabians. He surfed the waves – big and small – and found that the Middle East has a surfing culture like none other – open to all who are willing to take the risks.

My one gripe, as a non-surfer, an East Coaster by blood and life, is that I can’t say the detail about the surf was particularly interesting. I’ve never surfed (and never wanted to – fucking sharks), but it was nice to vicariously live through him.

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