• Leap of Faith

  • Memoirs of an Unexpected Life
  • By: Queen Noor
  • Narrated by: Suzanne Toren
  • Length: 16 hrs and 20 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (151 ratings)

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Leap of Faith  By  cover art

Leap of Faith

By: Queen Noor
Narrated by: Suzanne Toren
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Publisher's summary

When Lisa Najeeb Halaby was 26, her father introduced her to King Hussein of Jordan. Within a year, she became his fourth wife. Born in 1951 to a distinguished Arab-American family, Lisa was unsure what her role would be. King Hussein was not only the head of state in Jordan but also considered the spiritual leader of all Muslims. This memoir provides a vital perspective on 30 years of turbulent world history from the Arab point of view: the displacement of over one million Palestinians by the creation of Israel, Hussein's frustrating efforts for peace, and the impact of Saddam Hussein and the Gulf War on Jordan and the royal family. A fascinating and dramatic portrait of a woman who took a great risk in a part of the world where women's roles are narrowly defined.
©2003 Her Majesty Queen Noor (P)2003 BBC Audiobooks America

Critic reviews

"Anyone who loved The King and I will readily warm to the love story of Queen Noor and the late King Hussein of Jordan." (Publishers Weekly)

"A story of love and family, growth and loss, well told and beautifully read by Suzanne Toren, and remarkably moving." (AudioFile)

What listeners say about Leap of Faith

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Mesmerizing

In this current chaotic time in the world this beautifully written memoir gave me hope for the future. Beautiful and uplifting love story

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Excellent!

Overall this was an excellent historical account of Queen Noor's life and the history of Jordan. Some details were unnecessary and drawn out and I was a bit disappointed the Queen herself only narrated the introduction.

This book is a wonderful story of a Queen who did not live a fairy tale life, but a privledged life. Queen Noor has taken every opportunity to serve her country, family and husband. A very interesting tale of a unique life story.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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Loved it

Would you listen to Leap of Faith again? Why?

I read this book just before end of my mission in jordan, after wonderful year and a half in country and im glad i did... I had this book for sometimes before i start reading and i didnt expepct it to be this good. I loved the way it was written, the very end of the book brought me to tears... I wish there was more of it but as for book it was just enough of personal to share. I recomende this book to all my friends.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Leap of Faith by Queen Noor

I loved this moving memoir of the love story of Queen Noor with King Husein of Jordan. It was a good history lesson of the area and the problems they faced together. It was beautifully read by Queen Noor herself. She has a lovely voice!

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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Vital knowledge for everyone - brilliant!

After decades of global experience I'm finally understanding what happened in the Middle East. Queen Noor is a trustworthy humanitarian who delivers truth with grace. Her story is hard to stop listening to.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Outstanding words by an outstanding Queen

I remember watching Queen Noor in Larry King’s Live and admiring her commitment to the Jordanian people. She always defended and promoted the Arab culture and women rights throughout the Middle East. However, her detail account of events that took place from the 60’s all the way to 1999, opened my eyes to events and points of views taking place in the Middle East today.
Her external beauty pales in comparison with her inner beauty. Her devotion to her husband and his children is something the captivates from the beginning of her journey to the final chapters of King Hussein’s life.

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An insightful account of a unique life

A fascinating story with a wonderful narrator. The perspective of the Middle East is invaluable and enlightening. If only all world leaders had King Hussein’s unflappable desire for peace and Queen Noor’s enduring grace. Very well done.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Extraordinary

Not being one for biographies, I went into this book with a bit of hesitancy. From the very beginning I was captivated.

Queen Noor reveals intimate details of her life as a Queen in a place that held so much curiosity for the rest of the world. She shares the details of her love for the King and the country that became the home of her heart.

Well told and filled with delightful tales and emotional memories, this story is one that everyone should read. From her unique family background to the intense commitment she made to improving the state of Jordan and people all over the world.

Queen Noor is definitely a woman to be considered extraordinary and the telling of her life with King Hussein is a beautiful one, though often filled with turmoil and despair.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a warm love story with strong characters, all the better that these characters are real.

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5 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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Queen Noor and her story of peace

I found the first and last part of the book the most interesting read. The middle part was a schedule of Hussein meetings, traveling to meet with foreign leaders, and his frustration with some of the Arab countries and Israel. I was surprised about Russia’s involvement in the Middle East. Overall a good book, but a little dry and detailed for me in some parts.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Perfectly written and read.

I loved the way the story flowed. This was a really good look into Jordans role in so March that has happened in the Middle East in the last 50 or 60 years.

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