The Haj

By: Leon Uris

Narrated by: Neil Shah

Length: 21 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

Leon Uris retums to the land of his acclaimed best-seller Exodus for an epic story of hate and love, vengeance and forgiveness. The Middle East is the powerful setting for this sweeping tale of a land where revenge is sacred and hatred noble. Where an Arab ruler tries to save his people from destruction but cannot save them from themselves. When violence spreads like a plague across the lands of Palestine - this is the time of The Haj.

©1984 Leon Uris (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Palestine finally made clear.

If you could sum up The Haj in three words, what would they be?

Palestine made clear.

What other book might you compare The Haj to and why?

Exodus, same author, more expanded subject

What does Neil Shah bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

A sense of the place and time is elicited by his accent.

If you could take any character from The Haj out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Gideon Asch

Any additional comments?

I read this book many years ago, I love it in the audio because I'm able to share it with my husband who otherwise couldn't read it. He also loves this book.

Great book!

I decided to buy this book after I read Exodus by Uris so I could learn more about the Arab point of view. I know this book is historical fiction, so I am counting on the events outlined in the book as being correct, however, it is hard to determine whether or not the book is prejudiced against the Muslim culture, without knowing a whole lot about it. From what I have heard on the news and I have learned in school about it, it does appear that there could be truth to Uris' portrayal of these people. It would seem the culture is fueled by anger and revenge, and is one in which this lifetime on earth is a throw-away in order to get to the better place after death. If the portrayal is accurate, it does explain a lot given what is going on in the world today.

I was somewhat surprised that I could connect with these characters in any way, but even with their foibles, Uris made them real and lovable people. The culture and traditions dictate so much of who they are. In the end, it is a tragic story about a family's struggle to survive in a world that suddenly changed and one that their culture would not allow them to accept. Even though I see their culture and traditions as being wrong compared to mine, I wonder how any of us would do if thrust into a situation like theirs?

History in the making

In a very interesting way you get a glimpse of the rebirth of Israel. That area has been violent for many years and will remain so for many more

Great book

And, after the book is over you keep thinking about it. Lots of facts to digest. Highly recommended. I understand so much more about the Israel/Pakistan issues now.

This book changed my mind

This book lets you become part of the conflict and experience what it is like to placed into this environment. It is an astounding book.

The characters are very developed and you will know and feel as they do. And most importantly, you'll see the world from their perspective instead of the political perspective that has been injected from the media and politicians.

This book is not just well written, researched and historically accurate, it depicts the perspective of the Palestinian people.

Whether you agree or disagree with the politics, you cannot understand the politics until you empathize with the participants. That's what this book will allow you to do. You will be horrified. It is like watching a train wreck in slow motion. But you'll also be entranced and you'll not be able to quit listening.

When you're done, your political opinion will likely not change. But your understanding will probably change. This should be required reading. The book is amazing.

Excellent story

Sad, depressing ending, and overall a little too steamy/ soap opera-ish for me, but still a great one by Leon Uris

another in depth view to the middle east

I've spent quite a bit of time in the middle east. it was good to have additional information.
great story line to explain the real situation of Israel.

Deep stuff but worth reading

I have just finished The Haj. It was a hard book to listen to as it requires the reader to some familiarity
with the history of the Middle East over the last 100 years.
What I liked about the book was the author tried to explain why the Middle East is so dysfunctional. His examination of Middle Eastern culture and history creates a window for westerners to hopefully understand that the problems of the east can not be solved by us.

Very Interesting--too long

If you could sum up The Haj in three words, what would they be?

Very good

What other book might you compare The Haj to and why?

War and Remembrance because it was of such a sweeping scope. The writing was superb. The history was invaluable. The story was heart-breaking and sad.

Which character – as performed by Neil Shah – was your favorite?

All of them were excellent.

Historic Account

This is an excellent account of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict with superb narration of its characters.