The Land of Hope and Fear

With the sharp eye of an experienced reporter, a profound understanding of Israel, its internal conflicts, weaknesses and strengths, and with a great love for the country and its people, Isabel Kershner went on a fascinating journey into the minds and souls of current Israelis, Jews and Arabs. Seventy-five years after its birth, the Jewish state is still struggling over its identity. The Land of Hope and Fear is a must book for people who wish to understand why and how. -Nahum Barnea, columnist, Yedioth Ahronoth (Israel) For all those looking for a book that provides an understanding of what Israel has become as it approaches its 75th year, this is it! The Land of Hope and Fear is a rich and wondrous tale told through the agonizing and uplifting stories of Israel's many tribes -- Jewish and Arab, religious and secular, new immigrants and veterans, soldiers and settlers. Isabel Kershner brings a keen eye and a vivid style to her unique portrait of the Sabra nation, struggling with its many conflicts and contradictions and yet able to survive and thrive. -Martin Indyk, author, Master of the Game, and former U.S. ambassador to Israel Once I started reading The Land of Hope and Fear I couldn't put it down until I finished. For someone living in this country it felt nonetheless as if I was learning about it for the first time. With masterful style, Isabel Kershner peels off all the outer layers of society's multifaceted aspects as these are seen by an onlooker, revealing them through the personal stories and eyes of the individuals themselves hidden behind their typologies. Whether one sympathizes or not, one understands more. Israel in its tumultuous eighth decade is laid bare, its inner strengths and weaknesses enmeshed in a vibrant dynamic that both promises and forewarns. -Sari Nusseibeh, author of Once Upon a Country