The Olive Grove: A Palestinian Story [Paperback]

Deborah Rohan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2008

“Beautifully written . . . insights behind the Palestinian conflict are gained in reading this heart-wrenching yet endearing tale of one family’s journey.”—Polly Bacca, former special assistant to President Bill Clinton

Set amidst the political turmoil of the twentieth century, The Olive Grove is a deeply moving account of a Palestinian family’s transition from wealth and comfort to statelessness and poverty. Deborah Rohan documents the Moghrabi family’s fight for survival as they struggle against Ottoman and British occupation and the formation of the state of Israel.

Deborah Rohan lives in Colorado and teaches listening and dialogue skills to the victims of conflicts worldwide.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Beautifully written ... insights behind the Palestinian conflict are gained in reading this heart-wrenching yet endearing tale of one family's journey.' Polly Bacca, former Special assistant to President Bill Clinton

About the Author

Deborah Rohan writes periodicals and books that often focus on the Palestinian-Israeli situation and the importance of considering history and multiple perspectives when trying to forge a just solution to the conflict. She is a frequent speaker on the topic, and teaches listening and dialogue skills to those impacted by the conflict in the Middle East and the US.

Product Details

• Paperback: 420 pages
• Publisher: Saqi Books; Rev. and Updated Ed edition (June 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0863566677
• ISBN-13: 978-0863566677
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,098,096 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars an emotional and informative read, July 3, 2008

By 

Orion "O*star" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Olive Grove: A Palestinian Story (Paperback)

Deborah Rohan's, "The Olive Grove" is a powerful and influential read. I braced myself for a propagandistic political statement, as many books of this genre can be, but was pleasantly surprised to instead find an unbiased, compassionate narrative of a family's history. Though the book tells a Palestinian story, the descriptions of historical events are carefully constructed to provide only fact without personal opinion. Ms. Rohan thus earns the reader's trust from the very beginning, enabling them to relax, put down their defenses, and devote full attention to the tragic and eye opening journey of the Moghrabi family. This is a recommended read for someone who wishes to learn more about the history of the Palestinian people or for someone who simply enjoys a meaningful and emotional story. With every story that is told, we are one step closer to reaching a peaceful resolution for the conflict in the Middle East.

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank you Deborah Rohan!, April 1, 2011

By 

Humanity - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Olive Grove: A Palestinian Story (Paperback)

Deborah Rohan does an excellent job in The Olive Grove. Her eloquent prose brings to life the struggle of dispossession that thousands of Palestinians had to face. For anyone interested in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, this book is a must read!

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars One dimensional, August 24, 2009

By 

picky reader (new york, ny) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Olive Grove: A Palestinian Story (Paperback)

I found The Olive Grove to be exceedingly one dimensional. It was clearly pro-Palestinian and anti-Israeli. A broader view of history would have been welcome. Moreover, many of the characters were one dimensional, either rotten to the core or all goodness and bravery. More subtlety would have enhanced believability of the story. Still, I did enjoy reading the book, as it did offer a perspective we don't often see in the West.