How to Understand Israel in 60 Days or Less Paperback – August 30, 2011

I have to confess that I am not the target reader for this book. The book is intended for young Jewish people and I'm an older Christian woman, but I love it! I hope the author doesn't mind. It was beautifully written and the drawings made it something that nobody else can duplicate. Well done!Sarah knows how to describe and draw the emotions so accurately that I felt like I was there with her. Like the author, I recently took my first trip to Israel. I wanted to go there because I wanted to see where all the action happened. I wanted to enjoy the experience Sarah described so vividly of Masada, wondering what the "real" story was and the unforgettable moments going up to Jerusalem. I only had a 22-day trip and stayed in luxury hotels, so I missed some of the experiences of waking up out in the wilderness. I didn't get to know many Israeli natives as she and Melissa did, although I did spend quite a bit of time with the 3-4 that I did meet. I wanted to see the places where Jesus lived. I wanted to see the country that God chose for His own special purposes. We aren't so different though, because I also looked at faces and wondered where they were coming from and what they were thinking. Sometimes I misinterpreted a scowl, because I read too much into it. I too had places I would love to have gone and would probably have been fine, but chose not to, not really because I was afraid (I was with strangers for several weeks in a strange country that people are often afraid to visit), but just because. Even though we are so different in age and spiritual beliefs, I could physically feel the process she was going through about whether to go to a certain place or not.She got to tour the Old City in Jerusalem without a guide, as I would have loved to have done. She bartered for sandals, exactly what I wanted to barter for as we were quickly rushed by and given no chance to stop. I truly enjoyed watching as Sarah and Melissa got turned around and as they ended up in a few situations I know I would have ended up in if I hadn't been in my controlled group environment. I envied them that experience while at the same time I know I wouldn't have done it. I almost felt myself being nervous and wondering what was going to happen.The important thing about this book is her emotional journey, when she had no intentions of having an emotional journey. She fought her own biases and probably added a few. I have to admit that I was holding my breath in a few of those experiences, going through them with her.The book is unique because it is in a very creative comic-book style, beautifully drawn by the author, who is an extremely talented artist.So, do I understand Israel even better after visiting it and seeing it from her perspective? Yes!

I have mixed feelings about Israel because American news tends to be pro-Israel in any Middle East conflict that involves them and because my taxes pay for our troops to intervene. I looked forward with great interest to the arrival of this graphic novel to help me understand the situation.Unfortunately, I had a few problems with the author. On the one hand, she must have kept a diary in order to remember so clearly so many events during her guided tour. I was impressed with that and the artwork. In all the discussions in the news about the Golan Heights, I have never heard anyone point out that it is very much like Bunker Hill and Breed's Hill surrounding Boston wherein a strategically placed weapon can do much damage due to the altitude differences. I wouldn't want that in my backyard either! On the other hand, she had a clear axe to grind: proving that the trip was Israeli propaganda, her attempt at investigative journalism ranks a D+ at best and her inability to see Israel as anything more than a lightning rod for religious conflict is incredibly myopic and overlooks so many positives that one cannot help but feel cheated by the title.I would have appreciated a bit more background on the organization that sponsors this free ride for fair weather Jews in America as the avid descriptions of the author's crowd left me wondering why most of them considered themselves Jewish, bothered to go and why the organization wasn't more selective. There is some mention of a need for separation between Jews and Arabs within the country if for no other reason than population growth so one wonders if the annual birthrate in Israel is the real motivation.I wonder if a tour of Israel really ignored the economy or the author merely had selective memory. After all, she did an excellent job of focusing solely on her interpretation of the Israeli/Arab conflict. Surely a comment or two about high tech, medical advances, drip irrigation, de-salination, nuclear power, etc. is in order. Israeli know how is considered world class by many. What about sports and performing arts? Who are the major trading partners? What about the importance of tourism? What are the main imports? Apparently, while urging foreigners to immigrate to Israel, none of these factors matter?As I understand Jewish history, many occupations were previously closed due to religious affiliation. Is the Israeli state still suffering from a shortage of certain job skills or did immigrants blossom to fill the void? One would think the state would be proud of this accomplishment yet the author didn't mention it.The author mentions that a friend is studying in Israel for over a year at a reputable medical school but has concluded that Israelis are racist towards Arabs so he wants to return home. No explanation or further discussion, just the assertion. Is it possible that he is merely unhappy because Israelis aren't Americans? Was he lucky enough to visit during a quiet period: no need for gas masks, no fears of Iraqi missiles or suicide bombers? My friend lived there for a year while working for Intel. He rode into town every day on a bus protected by two soldiers with machines guns back and front. He felt safe. I would not have felt safe yet the many Israelis the author was able to talk to aren't able to run away to another country. They have to stay and endure. Might the environment affect ones behavior? On a related note, many Israelis seem extremely reluctant to travel outside their area. How are they treated by Arabs when they do? Why isn't that part of the story? Since the author is actively dating a Muslim Pakistani, one would expect her to reflect on a not-so-unlikely possible future of America at war with Pakistan before getting too serious. Is was nice to hear that some Israelis and Arabs alike affected by the wars have begun healing by trying to reach out to each other but that isn't a national policy by either side so how effective is it?The author expresses shock that some Bedouin had given up their lifestyle and imagined it to all be due to malevolent external forces. Hmm... If my neighbor moves to my neighborhood of barren rocks, works his butt off improving his property, puts in a pool, beach and hospital, sends his kids to school, then invites too many friends over so the neighborhood has changed but offers me a job, would I take the job, move away or insist on riding my camel over his beach? I guess my point is, why isn't it OK for them to upgrade from a tribal lifestyle? Isn't forcing a status quot just as bad as forcing change at the point of a gun?Why did the tour of Israel mention David Ben-Gurion but not Yitzhak Rabin? That assassination shocked many and clearly expressed the problem that Israel as a melting pot isn't homogeneous in thinking.If the author felt so strongly against Israel, why did she decide to go at all? Why supposedly study for 2 months before visiting then go into shock when hearing just one side of a many-sided story? Did all that studying somehow overlook certain perspectives? Why blow the opportunity to ask questions and clear the air especially after months of liberal media have convinced her that she knows the real story? Why not visit her Palestinian friend especially since she feels so strongly that as an American, she is automatically immune to kidnap or murder and as a solitary female automatically immune to rape or assault? She seemed oblivious to the past tragedies experienced by the Israelis and downplayed observations that the Arabs never seem coordinated enough to act as a group so you never really know how much power a state representative actually has, who is a terrorist or willing to be the next suicide bomber. Why not arrange time to visit nearby Jordan or Lebanon? If the real issue is just geographic location and not religion, water, or natural resources, suppose America forced all the Israelis to abandon their property and leave aboard American naval vessels? After rejoicing and re-entering Jerusalem, would the Arabs continue in the agriculture and industries left behind, abandon them to the desert or simply impose their preferred way of life in the region? How much of the disputing is due to an envy of hard work or grousing because they lost the last war or propaganda on the Arab side taking advantage of the lower education and lack of critical thinking?In summary, the author has serious issues that should have been detected during an interview causing her to be excluded. She left me feeling that in her mind Israel is wrong and the Palestinians deserve a homeland yet made no attempt to justify her position and persuade me. More disappointing, she ignored almost all of Israel in order to focus on a decades old conflict yet claimed to understand the country and its people.

This excellent book could very well be titled "It's Complicated." Author Sarah Glidden takes her birthright trip to Israel. Her underlying reason for going: to "find out the truth about this whole mess once and for all." Ms. Glidden makes it clear that she feels pretty strongly about the rights of Palestinians, the injustice of the wall, the harshness of Israeli policies. She steels herself against being "brainwashed" (a word she use a few times) by her hosts and guides.But, once there, the author sees the nuances and complications present in all matters. Case in point: her blood starts to boil when she first takes sight of the wall. Far from ignoring it or giving it an impassioned defense, Sarah's guide gives the wall a review from both sides ("My personal opinion is that, while hate how it hurts many people, every day that I wake up and there's no attack on the news, I think about the wall.") Her take: it was "refreshing to hear [him] speak of the negative aspects of the wall without being prompted." This exchange is emblematic of what you'll find throughout the book.Sarah Glidden has crafted a fine remembrance of her trip. It speaks to the book's authenticity that other reviewers on these pages that have taken the same trip vouch for her accuracy. The work is heightened by her excellent drawings...especially her annotated maps.

Having just traveled to Israel, I recognized many of the sights and experiences Glidden described. The art work is beautifully done, dialogues realistic and informative, and I love the way journalism and personal experiences are mixed. She's biased and doesn't try to hide it, but instead uses her confused state of mind as a point of departure for her investigation. The result is a nuanced, more balanced view, that very much mirrored my own experiences in Israel.

Brilliant. That's the word for a book which is not only beautifully illustrated but also narrates the author's experience with the sort of insight one didn't expect from a first-time graphic novelist. Joe Sacco belongs to the special five star league, of course. But Glidden can get there is she decides to revisit Israel and look at the political environment in isolation. That she heart belongs to her birthplace will be an asset, I feel.Strongly recommended for those who wish to read more about Israel and also experience the artistry and narrative technique of a bright new talent.I wish her all the best, and have great expectations from her in the future.

This book was an honest and thorough account of a young woman’s trip to Israel. I highly recommend it.

Mol bona descripció, i documentada de com és un país, Israel. és una visió planera d'una visitant novella Molt bona qualitat també dels dibuixos.