Ally

My Journey Across the American-Israeli Divide

By: Michael B. Oren

Narrated by: Michael B. Oren

Length: 16 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times best-selling author Michael B. Oren's memoir of his time as Israel's ambassador to the United States - a period of transformative change for America and a time of violent upheaval throughout the Middle East - provides a frank, fascinating look inside the special relationship between America and its closest ally in the region.

Michael Oren served as the Israeli ambassador to the United States from 2009 to 2013. An American by birth and a historian by training, Oren arrived at his diplomatic post just as Benjamin Netanyahu, Barack Obama, and Hillary Clinton assumed office. During Oren's tenure in office, Israel and America grappled with the Palestinian peace process, the Arab Spring, and existential threats to Israel posed by international terrorism and the Iranian nuclear program. Forged in the Truman administration, America's alliance with Israel was subjected to enormous strains, and its future was questioned by commentators in both countries. On more than one occasion, the friendship's very fabric seemed close to unraveling.

Ally is the story of that enduring alliance - and of its divides - written from the perspective of a man who treasures his American identity while proudly serving the Jewish State he has come to call home. No one could have been better suited to strengthen bridges between the United States and Israel than Michael Oren - a man equally at home jumping out of a plane as an Israeli paratrooper and discussing Middle East history on TV's Sunday morning political shows. In this fast-paced book, Oren interweaves the story of his personal journey with behind-the-scenes accounts of fateful meetings between President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu, high-stakes summits with the Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, and diplomatic crises that intensified the controversy surrounding the world's most contested strip of land.

©2015 Michael B. Oren (P)2015 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Michael Oren is going to be the talk of Washington and Jerusalem.... I'm not sure that in the annals of diplomatic history there's ever been anything quite like this astonishing account of Oren's four years as Israel's ambassador in Washington. It's an ultimate insider's story told while all the players save Oren are still in place." (New York Post)

“Michael Oren, Israel’s former ambassador to the United States, has written the smartest and juiciest diplomatic memoir that I’ve read in years.... [Oren’s] memoir is the best contribution yet to a growing literature - from Vali Nasr’s Dispensable Nation to Leon Panetta’s Worthy Fights - describing how foreign policy is made in the Age of Obama: lofty in its pronouncements and rich in its self-regard, but incompetent in its execution and dismal in its results. Good for Mr. Oren for providing such comprehensive evidence of the facts as he lived them.”(Bret Stephens, The Wall Street Journal)

"Unlike other diplomatic memoirs, which rarely disclose anything controversial, Oren’s Ally: My Journey Across the American-Israeli Divide is provocative, as the former ambassador blames President Barack Obama for the sorry state of U.S.-Israel relations and much else that’s wrong in the Middle East today.... Oren’s book offers a view into the deep rifts that have opened not only between Washington and Jerusalem, but also between Israeli and American Jews.” (Newsweek)

When a great historian participates in history

Michael Oren's other history books were powerful. Having previously wrote a 200+ year history of America's involvement in the Middle East, his account of US-Israeli relations during his time as Israel's ambassador to the U.S. is rich and enlightening. Without whining or grandstanding he shows you how US support for Israel, while strong, is filled with blind spots and double standards that often discourage the other side from moving towards peace. Very balanced, fair and sober.

Excellent

This book should be required reading for Americans and Israelis alike. It provides a tremendous framework for understanding the mutual benefits derived from being allies.

Fascinating personal and political journey

What was one of the most memorable moments of Ally?

Michael Oren’s “Ally” is a compelling story for many reasons, least of which is his background as a NJ-bred baseball and American pie kid that had a chance meeting with Yitzhak Rabin which changed the trajectory of his life and led to the day where a hole was punched through his US passport so that he could serve as Israel’s ambassador to the U.S.

Which scene was your favorite?

I wonder how often I have gazed out at the scullers on the Potomac River not knowing that I may have been watching Oren on his daily mind-clearing voyage.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It is 16 hours long! But never boring.

Any additional comments?

Oren is the embodiment of the US/Israel relationship, and his front row seat to that partnership gives him a perspective few of us will ever have. I was actually surprised that his detailed description of various White House meetings and other sit downs (including with the Prime Minister of Israel) made it past the government censors.

Extremely evenhanded

It's brilliant. Not at all the anti-Obama work it was publicized as. The quality of it is affection and pretty well much for everyone. Well almost everyone, let's not include the enemies of his country.

Delightful

a great insiders history of modern day us - israeli relationship. Wake up and see what really happened behind the scenes.

Incredible story

Ally gave me a better understanding of the current Middle East than anything I have read so far. It confirmed all the research I have done to better understand the actions of my government toward our allies. It also confirmed for me the deplorable yellow journalism that is being spewed to boost ratings, sales and the Obama Whitehouse agenda.

Excellent (and better than expected)

So many have criticized this books as one-sided republican propaganda but it was no such thing. Oren is clearly a champion of bipartisan support for Israel and, in fact, oftentimes his personal beliefs and political favorites clearly lean left. Very interesting to hear about the different ways American and Israeli leaders and civilians interpreted various world events and the story of how Oren straddled this divide while maintaining a deep commitment to both the USA and Israel. Everyone who cares about the Middle East (on either side) should read (or listen!) for a deeper understanding of the politics behind the scenes.

riveting and uniquely insightful

A remarkable work that should be required reading for anyone who cares about Israel or America. This book was captivating, eye-opening, and inspirational. I will be re-reading it myself, and gifting it to my loved ones.

Great insight into complex USA Israel relations

This is an excellent audiobook about the complex USA-Israel relations. It is read by the author who is passionate about the subject. It is also very personal and the author is an excellent story teller. Very informative.

Essential book to understanding Israel US relations

1. This book is essential to understanding the inner workings of current Israel US relations. Showing how on one hand the American alliance with Israel is grounded in common values and mutual self interest and on the other a function of individuals, their personalities and choices.
2. At times it feels like the there was a poor editing of the audio as the tone or key of the narrator changes abruptly. That is compensated for by the fact that the narrator is the author lending this audiobook a personal, genuine feel.