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vxf · 07-01-2011, 10:03 PM

I recently read Son of Hamas, by Mosab Yousef:
http://www.amazon.com/Son-Hamas-Grip.../dp/1414333072

The above link carries the following synopsis:

Since he was a small boy, Mosab Hassan Yousef has had an inside view of the deadly terrorist group Hamas. The oldest son of Sheikh Hassan Yousef, a founding member of Hamas and its most popular leader, young Mosab assisted his father for years in his political activities while being groomed to assume his legacy, politics, status . . . and power. But everything changed when Mosab turned away from terror and violence, and embraced instead the teachings of another famous Middle East leader. In Son of Hamas, Mosab Yousef—now called “Joseph”—reveals new information about the world’s most dangerous terrorist organization and unveils the truth about his own role, his agonizing separation from family and homeland, the dangerous decision to make his newfound faith public, and his belief that the Christian mandate to “love your enemies” is the only way to peace in the Middle East.

I have mixed feelings. First, the bad. The writing is dry, journalistic. And, frankly, more than once I thought that the author was just, ahm, 'full of it'. It's really hard to believe that everything he says is true. His sense of self-importance and his tendency of portraying himself as an innocent victim do get annoying. And his outlook on the morality of the conflict is, at best, simplistic. Where he is in a position to offer some superior insight into the perspectives of the different sides, he often falls into stereotypes. Personally, I found him to be overly partial to seeing Christianity as the solution to all problems - I personally do not agree, nor do I see how someone growing in the midst of religious fanaticism and militancy can possibly get to the conclusion that religion - albeit, a 'different' religion - could be the solution. But it's not the personal opinions that bother me - it's the way he exposes this point, in a clearly biased manner, that got on my nerves.

Yet, for all its faults, this books is a very interesting read and a somehow fresh perspective, even if you are already well informed on the topic. There are some extremely lively anecdotes giving a personal feel for a tragedy that, too often, we give for granted. Largely, he does not take sides and presents in a very fair manner the motivations - and flaws - of both sides - but, as above, he seems to lose objectivity when talking about Christians. He does also shed light on the back-story behind some big events - if you are willing to believe every word.

Overall, I think it is worth picking up, but it needs to be read cum grano salis.

07-01-2011, 10:03 PM	#6
vxf Guru Posts: 944 Karma: 1490348 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Norman, OK Device: Sony PRS 350, 900, 950; Kindles (ALL of them!); Kobo Aura One	I recently read Son of Hamas, by Mosab Yousef: http://www.amazon.com/Son-Hamas-Grip.../dp/1414333072 The above link carries the following synopsis: Since he was a small boy, Mosab Hassan Yousef has had an inside view of the deadly terrorist group Hamas. The oldest son of Sheikh Hassan Yousef, a founding member of Hamas and its most popular leader, young Mosab assisted his father for years in his political activities while being groomed to assume his legacy, politics, status . . . and power. But everything changed when Mosab turned away from terror and violence, and embraced instead the teachings of another famous Middle East leader. In Son of Hamas, Mosab Yousef—now called “Joseph”—reveals new information about the world’s most dangerous terrorist organization and unveils the truth about his own role, his agonizing separation from family and homeland, the dangerous decision to make his newfound faith public, and his belief that the Christian mandate to “love your enemies” is the only way to peace in the Middle East. I have mixed feelings. First, the bad. The writing is dry, journalistic. And, frankly, more than once I thought that the author was just, ahm, 'full of it'. It's really hard to believe that everything he says is true. His sense of self-importance and his tendency of portraying himself as an innocent victim do get annoying. And his outlook on the morality of the conflict is, at best, simplistic. Where he is in a position to offer some superior insight into the perspectives of the different sides, he often falls into stereotypes. Personally, I found him to be overly partial to seeing Christianity as the solution to all problems - I personally do not agree, nor do I see how someone growing in the midst of religious fanaticism and militancy can possibly get to the conclusion that religion - albeit, a 'different' religion - could be the solution. But it's not the personal opinions that bother me - it's the way he exposes this point, in a clearly biased manner, that got on my nerves. Yet, for all its faults, this books is a very interesting read and a somehow fresh perspective, even if you are already well informed on the topic. There are some extremely lively anecdotes giving a personal feel for a tragedy that, too often, we give for granted. Largely, he does not take sides and presents in a very fair manner the motivations - and flaws - of both sides - but, as above, he seems to lose objectivity when talking about Christians. He does also shed light on the back-story behind some big events - if you are willing to believe every word. Overall, I think it is worth picking up, but it needs to be read cum grano salis.