Portraits of Israelis and Palestinians: For My Parents [Hardcover]

Seth Tobocman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2003

During the summer of 2002, Seth Tobocman taught art to children in a village outside of Ramallah, Palestine. To explain his purpose to his parents, lifelong Zionists, he sent them 20 pages from his sketchbook of the trip. These charcoal drawings, as presented in this book, strip away the historical, religious, and political complexities to reveal the stark humanity of both sides, and pare the dialogue to its essence: How to recognize and respect each other’s humanity?

Editorial Reviews

Review

[T]he battle for human rights...gives [Tobocman's] art the power it radiates, that unbelievably rare thing in this world, truth. -- Peter Kuper

About the Author

Seth Tobocman started the radical and renowned comic book World War Three Illustrated with Peter Kuper in 1979, in protest to the Carter/Reagan arms build-up. His art has appeared in The New York Times, The Nation and The Village Voice, and in murals and posters for social movements and demonstrations world-wide. His work also appeared in the film The Crow and has been used as cover art for numerous Polygram and Warner Brothers Records albums.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 120 pages
• Publisher: Soft Skull Press (March 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1887128832
• ISBN-13: 978-1887128834
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,265,335 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Is She an Arab, or a Jew"?, October 19, 2008

By 

Giant Panda (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Portraits of Israelis and Palestinians: For My Parents (Hardcover)

Written by an American Jewish artist, this collection of sketches and portraits begins with a challenge. A question is scribbled next to the portrait of an attractive, smiling woman: "Is she an Arab, or a Jew?" Very often the conflict in the middle east is portrayed to us in media snippets as an irresolvable conflict between extremists that has been going on and will go on for centuries. Unsatisfied with this shallow depiction, Tobocman resolved to go to Israel/Palestine and penetrate the layers of journalistic obfuscation to get to the heart of the conflict: the people behind the news. We get to see images of people, on both sides. We get to see what they look like, hear what they say, and understand their fears. Before I bought this book, I browsed through a few pages. It starts with a scene of Israelis boarding a plane going to Israel, then reading the "reports of the latest bombings", and then the Teddy Bear Incident: "El Al Security Checking the Bear". Considering I have actually, believe or not, experienced that incident myself, I decided immediately to buy the book. I'm glad I did.

Artistically, the book is visually appearing and an enjoyment to read. The sketches are much more raw and unfinished than, e.g., Joe Sacco's masterpiece <A HREF="T.html#156097432X">"Palestine"</A>. Yet this book is somewhat easier to read and perhaps contains a more positive, hopeful, message about the spirit of humanity.

Factual and accurate, it is written with a good purpose. To quote the author's introduction: "I don't claim to be an expert on the Middle East. I am neither an Israeli nor a Palestinian. But in many ways, the fate of that region has been in the hands of Americans who aren't experts. Americans like you and me. That's why it's important for us to come to a better understanding of the situation. I hope we make the right decisions.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Book..., November 11, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Portraits of Israelis and Palestinians: For My Parents (Hardcover)

I just recently viewed this book in a friend's ownership... It is absolutely simplistically beautiful and truthful... I recommend buying it to see a view of peace between both sides...
...Savannah Skye