Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Book Review of Son of Hamas: A Gripping Account of Terror, Betrayal, Political Intrigue, and Unthinkable Choices

douglasawhite avatar reviewed on + 9 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5


This book is really interesting and contains at least three stories. The first would be the first hand look at the Israeli and Arab conflict told from someone with the ultimate inside knowledge. It really puts a face to news stories from the past 15 to 20 years. The second story is that of Yousef and his relationship to his father and fellow Arabs. This story is in my opinion the most fascinating one. It is obvious the Yousef thinks the tactics that his father has turned to are evil and ineffective, but he cannot distance himself from the father he loves. I cannot imagine how difficult it must have been for him to betray his father and faith. And finally the third story is Yousef's life as an Israeli agent. It is fascinating to read how torture did not turn him, but friendly actions by the Israelis along with his experiences in the prison camps. I wish the people in charge today would read this book to see how ineffective the harsh interrogation methods were.