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A Drive to Israel: An Egyptian Meets His Neighbors (Dayan Center Papers, 128) Paperback – January 1, 2003

by Ali Salim (Author), Robert J. Silverman (Translator)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 5 ratings
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In April 1994, the popular Egyptian playwright and humorist Ali Salem filled up his old Soviet-built car, loaded the trunk with copies of his books, and set out to visit Israel. On his return, he wrote a travelogue that became a best seller in Egypt. Ali Salem's A Drive to Israel, translated by Robert Silverman, is an engaging account of Israel through Egyptian eyes and a challenge to the Egyptian establishment's policy toward Israel.
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  1. Print length
    138 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Syracuse Univ Pr
  4. Publication date
    January 1, 2003
  5. Dimensions
    6.25 x 0.5 x 8.75 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    9652240508
  7. ISBN-13
    978-9652240507
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Translated from the Arabic by Robert J. Silverman

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Syracuse Univ Pr (January 1, 2003)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 138 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9652240508
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-9652240507
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9.6 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.25 x 0.5 x 8.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 5 ratings

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
5 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Karen Alkalay-Gut
5.0 out of 5 stars what a trip!
Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2019
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this is what happens when a writer wants to decide for himself what is going on and what could be going on. A brave man wrote a brave book and i can vouch for its veracity.
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Robert Lawton
4.0 out of 5 stars Road Trip, Egyptian-style
Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2005
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A rebellious playwright with a sense of the outrageous plans and executes a road trip to Israel soon after Israel and Egypt make peace. He shocks his family, outrages his peers, and thrills his curious countrymen with a narrative of the journey. There is something almost Mark Twainish in his observations along the way.

The anecdotes, histories, personalities, locations, and laments Salem chose to include provide interesting insights into the Egyptian psyche. Though I found the translation a bit awkward in places, what I read rang true with my own experiences traveling by bicycle in these lands. Ali Salem helped fill in many random details I could never have gathered myself.

Like Steinbeck's "Travels with Charlie," "A Drive to Israel" provides a view into the Egyptian national psyche more than it provides a history, travel log, or travel guide to Israel. It's an interesting yet funny read about a deadly serious region.
18 people found this helpful
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montana billings
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book, I'm only sorry that I heard about ...
Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2015
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Excellent book, I'm only sorry that I heard about Ali Salem the day before he died. How brave of him to drive from Egypt to Israel several years after the peace process knowing that he might be boycotted back home in Egypt. He took a wonderful journey.
2 people found this helpful
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AJ
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Read
Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2020
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The subject matter is a political minefield, but I think that the author undertook a courageous thing. This book provides a valuable account of its time, with some humor. I do not personally agree with all of the author's assertions, but the author clearly respects peace and individual political liberty. Would recommend to anyone interested in the region.
One person found this helpful
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