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The General's Son: Journey of an Israeli in Palestine Kindle Edition

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 448 ratings
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A powerful account, by Israeli peace activist Miko Peled, of his transformation from a young man who'd grown up in the heart of Israel's elite and served proudly in its military into a fearless advocate of nonviolent struggle and equal rights for all Palestinians and Israelis. His journey is mirrored in many ways the transformation his father, a much-decorated Israeli general, had undergone three decades earlier. Alice Walker contributed a foreword to the first edition in which she wrote, "There are few books on the Israel/Palestine issue that seem as hopeful to me as this one." In the new Epilogue he takes readers to South Africa, East Asia, several European countries, and the West Bank, Gaza, and Israel itself.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Miko is truly inspiring in the telling of his family's story, and of his own struggles to live up to the moral, ethical, and intellectual legacy from his father."—Landrum Bolling, former President, Earlham College



"Out of personal pain and sober reflection on the past comes this powerful narrative of transformation... [A] must-read for anyone who has not lost hope that one day peace and justice will prevail in Israel and Palestine."—Ilan Pappé, Israeli historian



"We are privileged to accompany the author on his journey of self-education... culminating in poignant advcacy of a unitary binational state anchored in common humanity"—Walid Khalidi, General Secretary, Institute for Palestine Studies


“This is a brilliantly rendered father-and-son saga amidst a background that evokes Greek mythology . . . . a story of admiration—and anger.” —Seymour Hersh, American investigative journalist


"The story of Miko Peled, his mother and father, reveals how facts, compassion and a universal sense of justice took hold and inspires this energetic and informed voice for peace." —Ralph Nader

"This critically important memoir by Miko Peled, a writer and citizen at the dynastic heart of Israel's identity, is a must-read for anyone, Jewish or not, who cares about our collective evolution to a more peaceful and compassionate world. Brave, honorable and engaging work." —Naomi Wolf


“This is a brilliantly rendered father-and-son saga amidst a background that evokes Greek mythology….a story of admiration—and anger.” —Seymour Hersh

"Exceptionally well written, organized and presented,
The General's Son is an extraordinary read from beginning to end and especially recommended for inclusion into community and academic library collections." —Paul Vogel, Midwest Book Review


"A fascinating story that provides much food for thought."—Uri Avnery, Former Member of Knesset and veteran peace activist

"This critically important memoir by Miko Peled, a writer and citizen at the dynastic heart of Israel's identity, is a must-read for anyone, Jewish or not, who cares about our collective evolution to a more peaceful and compassionate world. Brave, honorable and engaging work." —Naomi Wolf, author and social critic

About the Author

Miko Peled is an Israeli peace activist who spends his time between Jerusalem and San Diego. Born into a strongly Zionist family in Jerusalem, as a young man Peled witnessed the transformation of his father, Gen. Matti Peled, from a well-known leader in Israel's military to a strong peace activist. The General's Son has been translated into numerous other languages and Peled, a gripping public speaker, has lectured around the world in his campaign to promote justice, democracy, and equal rights for Palestinians and Israelis. Alice Walker is an activist and a Pulitzer Prize winning author. She has written more than 30 books, including The Color Purple, The Temple of My Familiar, and The Way Forward is With a Broken Heart.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01CN2HRH6
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Just World Books; Second Edition, Second edition (April 19, 2016)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 19, 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 5627 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 272 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1682570010
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 448 ratings

About the author

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Miko Peled
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Miko Peled is an author, writer, speaker, and human rights activist living in the United States. He is considered by many to be one of the clearest voices calling for justice in Palestine, support of the Palestinian call for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) and the creation of a single democracy with equal rights in all of historic Palestine. Miko is also a contributor to several online publications (Mint Press, The Electronic Intifada, Democracy Now, Mondoweiss), authors a blog (mikopeled.com), and produces The Miko Peled Podcast, all of which he dedicated to advocating for the creation of one democratic state with equal rights for Israelis and Palestinians.

Miko’s first book, “The General’s Son: Journey of an Israeli in Palestine”, is an autobiographical work taking the reader through the life of Peled’s family since his grandparents immigrated to Palestine in the early 20th century, describing their work and their life in detail while revealing his own journey towards a defender of Palestinian rights. Miko’s second book, “Injustice: The Story of The Holy Land Foundation Five”, describes the persecution and then the closure of what was America’s largest Muslim charity organization, The Holy Land Foundation, and the subsequent trials and convictions of five Palestinian Muslim-Americans.

He travels regularly to Palestine where he speaks and works with the popular resistance, the BDS movement, and other justice groups. As a result, he has been arrested several times by the Israeli authorities for his activism.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
448 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book insightful and thought-provoking. They describe it as a must-read that provides an honest and unique perspective on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Readers praise the writing style as powerful and easy to read, with a clear understanding of Israel and Palestine.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

20 customers mention "Insight"20 positive0 negative

Customers find the book insightful and thought-provoking. They say it's an honest, provocative autobiographical exploration of a painfully complex history. Readers describe the story as inspiring, sobering, riveting, and courageous.

"...The author has a wealth of insight, seeing first-hand how life was during the first decade of the young country’s founding...." Read more

"...Thank you Miko Peled for writing such an informative and historical book." Read more

"...The book is as engaging as informative!" Read more

"...of the colonization and occupation of Palestine with a personals stories and insights. Great read." Read more

20 customers mention "Readability"20 positive0 negative

Customers find the book readable and engaging. They say it's a must-read for everyone.

"One of the most compelling reads to describe the Israeli-Palestinian issues...." Read more

"...Everyone should read this very well written book...." Read more

"...and ability to get to the point makes this book an easy and very beneficial read." Read more

"...The book is as engaging as informative!" Read more

9 customers mention "Unbiased view"9 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the unbiased and honest account of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. They find it an eye-opening, unique perspective from someone close to the situation. The book is described as an eyewitness account with object clarity.

"...thousands of displaced Palestinians from 1947-1948 has now been described honestly and with object clarity - facts not often accepted...." Read more

"Miko Peled has a very unique perspective being the son and grandson of important Israeli generals...." Read more

"This is a must read book at this time. It gives an eye witness account of what has happened between the Israel and Palestine with a nonviolent..." Read more

"...Insightful look from someone very close to the situation who has changed his positions based on seeking and being open to new data...." Read more

9 customers mention "Writing style"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the writing style engaging and easy to read. They appreciate the author's insights into Israel and Palestine.

"...Gaza, his knowledge and ability to get to the point makes this book an easy and very beneficial read." Read more

"Tells the story of an Israeli with ties to prominent men in the Israeli government, including his father...." Read more

"...Exposes realities not before known. Well written as Piled intertwined his life with history." Read more

"...However, I am glad I read this and glad that it was written by an Israeli that had government and military ties...." Read more

Stay in San Diego
1 out of 5 stars
Stay in San Diego
Very confused mind, must spend long walks on the beach talking to the seagulls. Misken.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2024
    One of the most compelling reads to describe the Israeli-Palestinian issues. It really opens up some “red flags” as to the origins of the 75 year suffering of the people in the region.
    The irony of so many Jews seeking safety and security following the horrific loss of life during the holocaust, continues on another continent. The author has a wealth of insight, seeing first-hand how life was during the first decade of the young country’s founding. Sadly, it has never experienced peace, nor have the surrounding countries made genuine inroads to achieve normal relations with the Jewish state. The plight of the thousands of displaced Palestinians from 1947-1948 has now been described honestly and with object clarity - facts not often accepted.
    The ongoing conflict, loss of life, hopelessness, and anger appears to have no end in sight.
    The book is a must-read, to gain better insight on this crucible of land.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2024
    I liked this book so much I bought 3 to give to my Zionist family members. Most American people don’t know anything about what’s really happening or the history of Palestine/ Israel. Everyone should read this very well written book.
    I can’t help but wonder if the Israeli government had listened to General Peled back in 1967, this horrible war wouldn’t be going on now.
    Thank you Miko Peled for writing such an informative and historical book.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on October 12, 2023
    Interesting to learn an Israeli's path to sympathizing with the Palestinian cause.
    8 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2024
    Miko Peled has a very unique perspective being the son and grandson of important Israeli generals. As someone who has served in the Israeli military and seen first hand the treatment of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, his knowledge and ability to get to the point makes this book an easy and very beneficial read.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2023
    The Generals son is an adventure in worldviews expressed in a blend of detachment and affinity! It allows you to participate in a dance that you want that ends well but where you perceive reality demands more dancing and more complex steps! However, human creativity ought to persevere and the only obstacle is lack of a will by truly open minded leaders! The book is as engaging as informative!
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2024
    Given the state of violence the world is now seeing on the evening news of the destruction, some say genocide, of the Gaza strip in 2024, this book is a must read.

    Published in 2016 this is a book that brings a reader up to date with the Middle East situation between Palestinians and Jews. An update on the regions history since when his grandfather was one of the signatories of the Isreali Declaration of Independence in 1947, his fathers participation as a Isreali general in the 1967 war, and sadly his niece's dealth, by a Hamas terror attack in 1997.

    His perspective as a one time Isreali soldier brought up Zionist in Jerusalem makes the argument that the only way to end this conflict is through partnership with the otherside. As a Zionist Jew in Jerusalem and finally the sad loss of his niece, Miko Peled has become an undying activist in the promotion of world peace.

    And!

    An advocate of a one secular democratic state solution for both Jews and Palestinians. Not the occupation and annexation of, "the lands to the river to the sea," that leads to second class citizenship for some and the reason for decades of violence which threatens all Jews and Arabs.
    9 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2024
    I read this book after listening to a speech by Miko Peled on YouTube and I am so glad I did. This book gives a great perspective into the history of the colonization and occupation of Palestine with a personals stories and insights. Great read.
    8 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2019
    Tells the story of an Israeli with ties to prominent men in the Israeli government, including his father. This tells the story that we seldom hear of the inhumane treatment of the Palestinians in Israel. As the Palestinians have no citizenship the treatment doesn't legally qualify as apartheid, but that is just a matter of semantics. The complications of the politics of Israel are way beyond my pay grade. The fears that both sides have are also incomprehensible to me. I was there recently for 12 days visiting some of the traditional sites, but also Ramallah. I saw the walls that separate the Jews from the Palestinians. I saw the signs that tell the Israelis they are not allowed in certain parts of the country. Not because it isn't safe but because (it appears to me) that the government doesn't want the two sides to have any opportunity to learn about each other and to find peace. This book really opened my eyes to the situation there. Through this there is a thread of optimism that the people will find a way to live in peace.
    20 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Tooti
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Memoir
    Reviewed in Canada on June 5, 2024
    Amazing read beautifully written Memoir.
    I could not place the book down.
  • Gualter Portella
    5.0 out of 5 stars General’s Son
    Reviewed in Brazil on November 27, 2023
    A must read for the ones interested in the Palestine issue. The book is truly about a life journey from childhood to adulthood in which the author describes his father important role as a military man on the creation of the Israeli state in 1948 and in the 1967 invasion of West Bank and Gaza, who then started to advocate towards the two-state solution. Packed with documental references and personal experiences in Israel, the author lets you gradually understand his shift to a more radical and pacifist approach to address the dramatic problems faced by disposed Palestinians living by a Jewish-ruled state order.
  • Petr Iakovlev
    5.0 out of 5 stars Sehr gut
    Reviewed in Germany on September 14, 2024
    Lehrreich u interessant
  • Client d'Amazon
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent livre, bouleversant, bien écrit, très instructif
    Reviewed in France on August 2, 2021
    Excellent livre sur la vie d’un homme issue dune grande famille juive israélienne qui va faire un voyage de remise en question total des myth fondateur de son pays et va consacrer sa vie à se battre pour la justice et le droit des palestiniens. Un très grand homme ce Miko Peled. Un livre à lire absolument ! MUST READ BOOK. Miko Peled is absolutely admirable.
  • Kleio
    5.0 out of 5 stars The best defence against your enemy is to make him your friend.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 17, 2019
    I first saw these words some decades ago on a poster outside a Quaker Meeting House. Miko Peled writes compellingly about his own personal journey from Zionist to Anti-Zionist. The journey was not an easy one so expect to shed quite a few tears along the way - for both Israelis and Palestinians. Personal reminiscences about individuals and situations bring the story to life, or rather, to death and then to life. For Peled is optimistic about the future.

    Since the founding of Israel in 1948, hawks on each side have fed off each other. Both sides have committed appalling atrocities. Each side has accused the other of racism and each side has been guilty of this charge. However, the ever-victorious Israelis have used their growing power to marginalise the Palestinian element of their shared land. Today any two state solution would bear little resemblance to the Partition proposed by the UN in 1948. Which is why Peled has rejected his father's earlier hope for such a solution and now favours a one state solution. The peace movement of which he is a leading figure sees Jews and Arabs coming together to overcome mutually entrenched fear and hatred. Embracing non-violence, shared grief on both sides has become the basis for stripping away 'otherness' and embracing their common humanity.

    Peled's narrative is strongest when he describes his first (defenceless) journeys into Palestinian territory and his meetings with Palestinian leaders who had spent time in Israeli prisons on 'terrorism' charges. His fear -and courage - are palpable. But he has reaped rich rewards with many new Arab friends and a loss of this fear - which is inculcated into Israelis from birth. His children have made similar gains. Now he regards the Israeli state as his main foe because of the various obstacles it puts in the way of such Israeli-Palestinian fraternisation. His (illegal) forays into the West Bank and Gaza conjure up memories of apartheid Pass Laws and Russian internal passports of former times. Israel controls the movement of its own citizens for their security but the result is an unofficial segregation - not everywhere of course!

    Like many/most (?) Israelis, Peled is a completely secular Jew but he can relate to the Orthodox - especially those who believe that the modern Israeli state lacks Biblical sanction. He can likewise relate to both secular and religious Arabs and compares the social conservatism of Palestinian society with that of the mainstream secular Israeli Jew. Peled has lived and travelled widely outside Israel and this cosmopolitanism has helped him to break out from his own culture to tread his present path. But he still loves his people. This again is palpable, despite the derision poured on his head by Zionist opponents who ask him why he still keeps his Israeli passport. His predicament reminds me of those thousands of German exiles (many Jewish) who during WW2 joined the French Resistance or fought in the British Forces. This is just as much an ideological struggle as was WW2. Fortunately he does not have to kill people. But he is in danger of making himself an exile in his own country in solidarity with his Palestinian comrades who have become exiles in their own land.

    I wish Miko Peled and his movement well. I too have long favoured a one state solution. However, any resolution to this 70-year conflict will require more than just good will. Israeli security fears and disputed land ownership will be hard nuts to crack. A great deal of vested interest on the Israeli side (the side with all the power) will have to be overcome. An excellent read. Highly recommended.
    One person found this helpful
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