Israel

A Simple Guide to the Most Misunderstood Country on Earth

By: Noa Tishby

Narrated by: Noa Tishby

Length: 9 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

AUDIO EXCLUSIVE: INCLUDES THE SONG “ELATION STATION” BY INFECTED MUSHROOM!

A “fascinating and very moving” (Aaron Sorkin, award-winning screenwriter of The West Wing and The Social Network) chronological timeline spanning from Biblical times to today that explores one of the most interesting countries in the world—Israel.

Israel. The small strip of arid land is 5,700 miles away but remains a hot-button issue and a thorny topic of debate. But while everyone seems to have a strong opinion about Israel, how many people actually know the facts?

Here to fill in the information gap is Israeli American Noa Tishby. But “this is not your Bubbie’s history book” (Bill Maher, host of Real Time with Bill Maher). Instead, offering a fresh, 360-degree view, Tishby brings her “passion, humor, and deep intimacy” (Yossi Klein Halevi, New York Times bestselling author of Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor) to the subject, creating an accessible and dynamic portrait of a tiny country of outsized relevance. Through bite-sized chunks of history and deeply personal stories, Tishby chronicles her homeland’s evolution, beginning in Biblical times and moving forward to cover everything from WWI to Israel’s creation to the disputes dividing the country today. Tackling popular misconceptions with an abundance of facts, Tishby provides critical context around headline-generating controversies and offers a clear, intimate account of the richly cultured country of Israel.

©2021 Noa Tishby. All rights reserved. (P)2021 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

I have learned so much about Israel

I really enjoyed learning about the history of Israel. It is really well written. Thank you Noa for teaching me so much about the topic.

Excellent history. Must read/listen.

Well-presented history and survey of Israel and global mud-perceptions. Digestible and balanced. Tishbi recognizes that Israel isn’t perfect, but does a brilliant job putting imperfections in well-documented historical context.

Great and easy to follow book on Israel's history

Amazing book for anyone who wants to learn more about Israel and truly understand its history and current affairs. A good book for people who know little about the subject but also for those who all well versed.

Phenomenal- a must read! And a must listen!

Never have I had the history of the Middle East and Israel explained so clearly, understandably and delightfully!
Along with global history, Ms Tishby dotted her book with personal experiences and her own family history- informative, eye opening, fascinating, and so real it comes alive.
I read this book as I will be traveling in a few weeks to Israel for the first time. I wanted to learn more about the area and the country- as I was reading, I kept telling friends and family this book is a MUST READ! I have been quoting and recounting vignettes and information- new to me and most of my friends- astute, intelligent friends- but this history alludes us. Every word of this book eloquently enlightens the reader - from the recounting of Lawrence of Arabia, the clarity about the Palestinian issues - complicated as they are, the Arab Israelis with all citizen rights and responsibilities, the internal dilemma regarding the ultra orthodox in Israel, the real story about BDE, the UN, the many amazing, world-impacting contributions of this tiny country, Zionism 191 and 102, and the ever-present question about continued anti-semitism (when we are such a tiny sliver of the world!) to Tishby’s personal accounts.
I love reading books- but this book read by Noa Tishby herself, is a Must Listen!!
And Noa, I made it all the way to the end without crying- even though there was much to move me, tgat is, until your last line with your son - I’m still crying!! Thank you for a most outstanding literary experience!

Fantastic book!

I will be reading this again and will be sharing it with family and friends. So enlightening as well as entertaining.

The Truth

Ms. Tishbi’s impeccable English diction and the heartfelt emotion behind her telling of the facts of Israel’s creation and continued ability to thrive in a hostile world make for an extremely engaging audiobook. I learned much.

An eye opening experience!

The author brings you into this story immediately and with a combination of passion, humor and raw facts and data presents and amazing case for Israel and an explanation of what is happening in the Middle East. This is an amazing book everyone should listen to it.

Now I get it!! Essential reading!

Once in a blue moon you listen to a book that sets you straight... THIS is that book. Noa Tishby weaves a beautiful personal history of her family within the true facts about the state of Israel. She clearly explains the how and why things happened in an easy to understand manner and dispels the misunderstandings and rhetoric propagated by the media... only because the truth is that complicated!

Whether you love Israel or hate Israel, are Jewish or atheist, no matter what religion you are, no matter how much you know about the Middle East, politics, the UN, this book explains it all.

I bought copies for my kids, my friends (non Jewish & Jewish) and will reread it and take notes. This is ESSENTIAL reading for our time.

Impactful

Very honest book clearly written by a Jewish woman of conscience and confidence. Admirable work !

absolutely must read/listen

I listened to the book and while knowing much of the material, I've learned so much more. Noa's voice adds so much in my opinion. I wish I could make all my friends listen to this. it is such an important book, today more than ever.