Son of Hamas
By: Mosab Hassan Yousef
This book is AMAZING!!! This is the autobiography of Mosab Hassan Yousef who grew up in Palestine. He is the oldest son (out of 7 kids) of Sheikh Hassan Yousef - one of the seven founders of Hamas (also known as the Muslim Brotherhood).
Growing up Mosab speaks of knowing his father was one of the most prominate leaders of Islam, but figured that it was because of his love for the people, the fact that he was a teacher, and came from one of the most religious families of the Middle East. His father would get up early, go to mosque, teach, head to his second job, and not come home until well after midnight. What the family did not know was that their father was meeting with 6 others to reinforce the Muslim Brotherhood, this time making it stronger (and changing the name). As Mosab got older and finished school, his father gave him a job helping him out with his local politics (serving as an assistant to his father who would be considered a mayor). But someone else wanted him to help out...the Shin Bet (Israel's equivalent to our CIA).
By taking on the job, Mosab began living a double life: working for Hamas (as his father's assistant) and getting the inside information for Shin Bet. For years, he saw abject poverty, abuse of power, toture, and death. He met with many Middle Eastern political figures such as Yasser Arafat (head of PLO), Marwan Baarghouti (Secretary General of Fatah), Ariel Sharon (Israeli Prime Minister), and many others.
As Mosab lived his double life, he was able to learn about several other religions. One of these being Christianity. Not only was Mosab living life playing a Muslim, but he began learning more and more about the Bible and a man named Jesus Christ. Slowly Mosab began to doubt all that Islam stood for and realized that many things (bombings, torture of others, stealing, and the lies) done in the name of "Allah" was a sham.
By the age of 27, Mosab said good bye to his family, friends, Israel, his jobs, money (he made lots working for the Shin Bet), and everything he had ever known to move to the United States. His family disowned him, he had no job, no place to live, but Mosab was determined to completely depend upon the Lord.
This autobiography is amazing!!! I have always wondered how many Muslims have turned to Christ (not that God can't work in their lives any way He chooses), but this is an amazing story of how one Muslim not only turns away from his family, but also his religion, and way of life (Israel). This is a MUST read!!!!
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Monday, February 13, 2012
The Four Lindas
This is actually a series of four books. Entitled As Young As We Feel, Hometown Ties, All For One, and Here's To Friends. Each book is approximately 330 pages long and written by Melody Carlson.
Now I'm going to be honest - this was "fluff" reading for me. :) After reading books about Presidents, books for work (one was awful!), I decided I needed some "fluff" reading.
The series is about four women (in their 50's) who all happen to be named Linda. Going by their middle name (Caroline, Janie, Marley, and Abby) these ladies all grew up together along the Pacific coast in Oregon. Each woman was drawn back to their small coastal town of Clifden for different reasons. Though they didn't think their paths would cross, by rekindling their friendship, they fall into all different kinds of fun and mischief.
This series is very similar to the "Sister Chicks" series (written by Robin Jones Gunn). It was a fun series to read (I caught myself laughing out loud several times), lighthearted, and "fluff". If you're looking for a fun book (or series) to read for a the beach, plane trip, etc., I would recommend this series.
* You do have to read the books in order (of the series) in order to understand each Linda's history/background.
Now I'm going to be honest - this was "fluff" reading for me. :) After reading books about Presidents, books for work (one was awful!), I decided I needed some "fluff" reading.
The series is about four women (in their 50's) who all happen to be named Linda. Going by their middle name (Caroline, Janie, Marley, and Abby) these ladies all grew up together along the Pacific coast in Oregon. Each woman was drawn back to their small coastal town of Clifden for different reasons. Though they didn't think their paths would cross, by rekindling their friendship, they fall into all different kinds of fun and mischief.
This series is very similar to the "Sister Chicks" series (written by Robin Jones Gunn). It was a fun series to read (I caught myself laughing out loud several times), lighthearted, and "fluff". If you're looking for a fun book (or series) to read for a the beach, plane trip, etc., I would recommend this series.
* You do have to read the books in order (of the series) in order to understand each Linda's history/background.
War Horse
By:Michael Morpurgo
Pages: 165
The book War Horse, is the story of World War 1, but through the eyes of a horse named Joey. Joey (a farm horse) belongs to Albert. Joey and Zoey (the older farm horse) help to plow the fields in a small, rural Irish farm. When Albert's father sells Joey to the Army, Joey is sent off to the front lines of war away from his beloved Albert (the only being that Joey truly trusts). While in France, Joey is trained to charge forward though the enemy is close and many horses around him are killed, help drag heavy artillery, and help to carry wounded (and dead) soldiers off the battlefields. Some of the Army officers are friendly while others are harsh. When the Army gets help from a young girl (named Emilie) and her grandfather (who provide shelter for the horses), Joey begins to think that the war may almost be over and that his new "owners" are actually trustworthy. But the war isn't over and this time the military leaders aren't familiar (it's the French Army).
Meanwhile, Albert grieves the fact that his father sold his beloved horse. In order to find Joey, Albert enlists with Veterinary Corps (young men who took care of and nursed the animals back to health). But will Albert ever find Joey?
This book is a good young adult book dealing with life during World War One. Though told from the Joey's perspective (for the majority of the book), this book deals with the harsh realities of life in the early 1900's and how each person and horse made an impact on the outcome of history. Only 165 pages, it's an easy read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction.
Please note - I have not seen the movie! I have heard that it's pretty graphic (war images + animal abuse = PG-13 rating). I highly recommend reading the book before deciding on seeing the movie. The book isn't quite as graphic in terms of dealing with the war (though it also mentions that the horses were later sold for their meat at the end of the war ), be aware it could be graphic!
Pages: 165
The book War Horse, is the story of World War 1, but through the eyes of a horse named Joey. Joey (a farm horse) belongs to Albert. Joey and Zoey (the older farm horse) help to plow the fields in a small, rural Irish farm. When Albert's father sells Joey to the Army, Joey is sent off to the front lines of war away from his beloved Albert (the only being that Joey truly trusts). While in France, Joey is trained to charge forward though the enemy is close and many horses around him are killed, help drag heavy artillery, and help to carry wounded (and dead) soldiers off the battlefields. Some of the Army officers are friendly while others are harsh. When the Army gets help from a young girl (named Emilie) and her grandfather (who provide shelter for the horses), Joey begins to think that the war may almost be over and that his new "owners" are actually trustworthy. But the war isn't over and this time the military leaders aren't familiar (it's the French Army).
Meanwhile, Albert grieves the fact that his father sold his beloved horse. In order to find Joey, Albert enlists with Veterinary Corps (young men who took care of and nursed the animals back to health). But will Albert ever find Joey?
This book is a good young adult book dealing with life during World War One. Though told from the Joey's perspective (for the majority of the book), this book deals with the harsh realities of life in the early 1900's and how each person and horse made an impact on the outcome of history. Only 165 pages, it's an easy read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction.
Please note - I have not seen the movie! I have heard that it's pretty graphic (war images + animal abuse = PG-13 rating). I highly recommend reading the book before deciding on seeing the movie. The book isn't quite as graphic in terms of dealing with the war (though it also mentions that the horses were later sold for their meat at the end of the war ), be aware it could be graphic!
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