Kingdom of Olives and Ash: Writers Confront the Occupation

A brilliantly written collection of essays by a variety of world class writers, sharing their impressions of the devastating effects of the Israeli occupation of Palestine, both for the Israeli and the Palestinian peoples. I have been able to read it only in small doses, allowing time to absorb the accumulation of disheartening and sometimes horrifying details that, like the occupation itself, weigh more and more heavily on the reader's consciousness, even as the repetition of similar experiences, their predictability, tends to inure one to the pain of them. Occasionally one of the essays would break through the gray hopelessness and leave me in tears, most notably Colum MacCann's, "Two Stories, So Many Stories." An important book for anyone trying to understand and contribute positively to the healing of this untenable and seemingly intractable situation.

This is an important and insightful book about Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories by a number of distinguished authors. One might wonder how much more we can hear about this fraught subject, but this collection of essays and stories manages to offer fresh perspectives. The editing is skillful. The writing is varied, but always good. I would say it is a "must-read" book about the Israeli-Palestinian confrontation and I strongly recommend it to anyone wanting to gain understanding of it. It should sell a million copies.Disclosure: My son, Assaf Gavron, wrote one of the chapters. He is good, but so are all the others.

This a good book if you want to better understand the Palestinian-Israeli conflict from persons who have to deal with the Occupation on a daily basis, so I highly recommend this book if you are willing to confront the darkness that humans inflict on each other.

A great way to understand the Palestinian conflict. It's a way to travel and be part of people's real lived experiences. I have a new appreciation for the oppression the Palestinians live with. READ THIS BOOK. I liked the various authors and their writing styles.

This collection was very unique and revealing, particularly for a committed Zionist like myself. We should all be educated as to the suffering of the Palestinian people and understand their story as well as ours.

It’s an important book. Everyone needs to consider both perspectives. Every person has legitimate needs Every person deserves safety and security. All are responsible. When will we ever learn?

Amazing journey through one of the most complicated issues of our times. Would satisfy anyone interested no matter which party you support

The essays in this collection put a human face on the situation in Gaza . The WaPost review wants to make the point that there are other, more dire, situations in the world, with higher death counts. To me the point is that we in the United States are most directly involved in this one due to the huge amounts of money and diplomatic and political support we give to the government of Israel. We have a responsibility, as Americans, to be aware of what we are doing and to take a stand. The essays in this collection also serve to counter the false impressions that many people have due to the fact that the media tends to follow the government bias in which acts of violence against the occupiers are more relevant and shocking than the violence of the occupation itself.

This book is important. An highly experienced and honest journalist who just writes what he sees - and not what he is asked to, told to or demanded to write. A book with a lot of important information. There are so many events, so many angels in this story, which is missing in nearly all other books.

Balanced and informative .

A very real story of today in Gaza and Israel - well written.

This book certainly presents the less publicized perspective on the Israeli occupation of Palistinian territories and the plight of the Palistinian people. I've learned a lot about the history, about the occupation and its effects on the people, and about the Israeli settlers and their military. Some of the articles overlap each other but, overall a very informative and important book for anyone wanting to learn what it might be like to be a Palistinian living under these circumstances.

My only misgiving is that so little is said about the problems within the Palestinian organization, leadership and contribution to the present situation.