Live From Jordan: Letters Home From My Journey Through the Middle East (Hardcover)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: ketchup eaters, policy critics, unofficial ambassadors, United States, Arab East, Middle East (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

While the Western reader will have a great deal of material to digest, for Jordanians, the book primarily serves as an avenue for contemplation and critical self- examination. -- Natasha Tynes, "A Look at Life in Modern Amman," The Jordan Times

"Orbach's knowledgeable but down-to-earth style is refreshing, and it's a delight to follow him on his 13-month sojourn." -- National Geographic Traveler

"one man's attempt to go beyond stereotypes and get to the heart of a region that Westerners are often reluctant to see much less understand" -- The Daily Star , Lebanon July 18, 2007

In his highly readable...narrative,Orbach records his experiences as a graduate student in the Middle East on the eve of the Iraq war. -- Library Journal

Review

"It's a wonderful tale -- not of danger and intrigue, but of good friends and interesting, hospitable people."

-American Pundit blog, July 24, 2007

“A funny, poignant trip through [the] Mideast.”

-Miami Herald

“Orbach's knowledgeable but down-to-earth style is refreshing, and it's a delight to follow him on his 13-month sojourn.”

-National Geographic Traveler Online

“Live from Jordan…is the thoughtful, illuminating, and highly entertaining book debut by Pittsburgh native Benjamin Orbach….an elegantly written, and often hilarious account of Orbach’s prolonged stay in Jordan and Egypt….an intelligent, balanced, and insightful book debut.” Democracy and Security

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: AMACOM; 1st ed edition (April 30, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0814474276
• ISBN-13: 978-0814474273
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #270,469 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars bottoms up, January 18, 2008

By	Vance A. Stephenson "vecks" (Wilmington, NC United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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A fantastic book. The parallels with Tom Friedmans' "Beirut to Jerusalem" are remarkable, but where Tom's insight derived from serving as the NY Times correspondent to Beirut and Jerusalem and interacting with high level politicos (top down), Ben's piece involves living in Amman where he had to endure a brief, cold shower every other day due to water constraints (bottoms up).

This work palpably demonstrates how miserably US foreign policy aggravates Middle East problems, but reinforces the hope that if we take the time to know our neighbors, peaceful reconciliation is possible.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great read, March 2, 2008

By	A. Doyle (Washington, DC USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Orbach's book is a must for anyone who wants to know more about the culture and real life of the Middle East, and who seeks answers to how U.S. foreign policy might be adapted to improve regional relationships. If you want to get beyond the daily headlines and really understand the Middle East, Orbach's journey will take you there. "Live from Jordan" is smart, witty and engaging - a great read.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sincere and Honest Search to Understand Arab World, Pursue Peace, June 22, 2007

By	Eagle Eye - See all my reviews

Sincere, honest, and funny are words that come most readily to mind when summing up this book. Young American Ben Orbach showed significant courage in traveling to the Arab World (and Turkey) post-9/11, and he was on the ground with war in Iraq brewing and then breaking out. He is a true traveler in the classical sense, going afar to seek wisdom and change, not to impose or justify prejudices or preconceived notions. He is clear about his convictions, but humbly does his utmost to understand the many different opinions he encounters along the way. His insights, informed by his knowledge of the local language, are passed on to us through the e-mails that he wrote home from the Middle East--those missives are the substance of the book. His distinction between "America haters" and "American policy critics" will help Americans who are struggling to grasp the nuance of Arab/Muslim politics and society. In this and some other sections of the book, Orbach outlines what he believes are some of the implications for U.S. Middle East policy.

The author's personality comes through with a great sense of humor. His account of using the facilities in high-class hotels is hilarious--something any young and cash-strapped traveler who has searched desperately for clean restrooms in developing nations can surely relate to. The Jordan snowball fight is awesome.

This wil be a sort of guide book for Americans studying in the Arab/Muslim world. It can also be a Middle East primer for any Americans who are seeking to be more-informed citizens.

Perhaps the most important question to ask of any text is, "what of it?" At first glance, pursuing peace might seem a somewhat grandiose ambition to link with this book, but I believe that is the author's primary motivation. His search is in the spirit of U.S. Middle East envoy Dennis Ross, who dedicated his book "To the Children of the Middle East." The Middle East is controversial, and readers will surely find cause to disagree with Orbach at points along the way. But they will also find his views to be balanced, fair, and reasonable.

In sum, the author's sincerity, credentials (advanced Arabic, SAIS masters degree), and his travel and work experience (notably with the U.S. government's Middle East Partnership Initiative) demand that his book gets a serious look and a fair read. At a time when the need for mutual understanding between the U.S. and the Arab (and Muslim) world has never been more vital, this is a timely, important, and enjoyable book.