Kingdom of Olives and Ash

Writers Confront the Occupation

By: Michael Chabon, Ayelet Waldman

Narrated by: Fred Sanders, Gabra Zackman

A groundbreaking collection of essays by celebrated international writers bears witness to the human cost of fifty years of Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza.

In Kingdom of Olives and Ash, Michael Chabon and Ayelet Waldman, two of today's most renowned novelists and essayists, have teamed up with the Israeli NGO Breaking the Silence—an organization comprised of former Israeli soldiers who served in the occupied territories and saw firsthand the injustice there—and a host of illustrious writers to tell the stories of the people on the ground in the contested territories.

Kingdom of Olives and Ash includes contributions from several of today’s most esteemed storytellers including: Colum McCann, Jacqueline Woodson, Colm Toibin, Geraldine Brooks, Dave Eggers, Hari Kunzru, Raja Shehadeh, Mario Vargas Llosa and Assaf Gavron, as well as from editors Chabon and Waldman. Through these incisive, perceptive, and poignant essays, readers will gain unique insight into the narratives behind the litany of grim destruction broadcasted nightly on the news, as well as deeper understanding of the conflict as experienced by the people who live in the occupied territories. Together, these stories stand witness to the human cost of the occupation.

An emotionally and ethically charged book

The diversity of the writer's styles created an artful presentation of the challenging situation in Israel's West Bank. From my view, I would have queried the participants more about their visions of a solution. Instead these stories are like snapshots of life in the West Bank and are definitely of great value to the reader. You may want to stop reading after the first and second essay if you love Israel. Push on. Read the entire book and let your perspective be enriched and your stance be informed. This is a valuable book.

A Must-read for every ethical and moral human bein

Where does Kingdom of Olives and Ash rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It ranks among the top 10 percent of my audiobooks than I have listened to so far.

What other book might you compare Kingdom of Olives and Ash to and why?

I compare it to GOD- A BIOGRAPHY by Jack Wells. It deals with the search for justice and morality .

Have you listened to any of Fred Sanders and Gabra Zackman ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

It fs about the same.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Cry the Beloved Country

How to solve? Start with awareness.

This book of essays has opened my eyes to the sad reality of bitter hatred in one part of the world. So reminiscent of Northern Ireland’s struggles to coexist in the same way as our American South once was and in many ways still is. One people sure they are better than another.

Kingdom

It breaks the silence like a thunder clap. Well written and professionally read. Hard to put down.

Profound!

With so much happening in the news lately surrounding Israel, I realized I knew basically nothing about Palestine, and so I picked this up. I am glad I did!! It is really well written and gives a heartbreaking portrayal of what life is like living under occupation. Though at first blush, this seems wholly anti-Israeli, there are Jewish voices here too, and the ultimate point of the book is that both sides are victims, and working towards peace would be good for the souls of both these two peoples. There is a note of optimism that shines through all the stories of loss, brutality, and hatred, that makes listening to current news all that more poignant. I really hope both peoples can find a way forward after this.