The Haj

De: Leon Uris

Narrado por: Neil Shah

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.

Helps Westerners Grasp an Understanding

The Haj is a book that needs to be heard/read by all. This book is an eye opener. It takes you back to around 1922 up through the 1960s. It confirms what many of us have suspected in our gut. In the Middle East, things are different. There is a level of hatred that is different. It is celebrated. Lying to the infidels is permitted, encouraged and a part of Islam. And all the sins that the westerners partake of . . . fornication, adultery, homosexuality, drunkenness, all these also exist in the Middle East. Men there regularly engage in these behaviors. And they kill their wives and daughters when they catch them in the same. This book is written in a way that is unbiased. A Jew and an Arab are friends, trying beyond all hope to help their own people . . . and for the first time I am understanding why there cannot be peace . . . why all attempts at democracy have failed and will always fail . . . why there is little hope of salvaging a people and a land so intent on hatred and self-destruction. And all those who have entered there hoping to bring peace and reconstruction, have instead brought home their own broken soldiers, who carry the wounds of war for the remainder of their lives.

I wanted so much to like this book...

Other work by this author have been far more compelling and the narrator doesn't do the book any favors!


It took great self-discipline to finish it.

masterful

Leon Uris masterfully crafted a story about cultures, ideals snd boundaries..A great listen. Pertinent to our times as we look at some roots of present problems.

Still relevant after all these years

I read this in paperback when it first came out. Now years later the story still resonates well. Interesting perspective on george politics in Mid East.

One of Uris’ Best

The most incredibly sad but intriguing stories of a time a people who have suffered by their own hands. The performance was perfect.

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.