We Could Have Been Friends, My Father and I: A Palestinian Memoir

Having been fortunate enough to have attended by zoom some of Raja's talks, I had been looking forward to the release of this book for a couple of years, and it certainly didn't disappoint. He has very clear vision into the problems of the region and is fair in his assessments. Set against his difficult relationship with his father, the book tells the story of the injustices meted out to the Palestinian people, still happening today. Beautifully written, it is an education for all of us, and should make us all face up to our own culpability in the present situation.

An honest account of the tensions between fathers and sons. I felt empathy for both of them.

This is both a Palestinian history lesson and a story of father and son's attempt to change the course of fate for the Palestinian people. People have been forced from their homes through imperial tactics throughout human history, from Jews 2000 years ago, to indigenous peoples, to Palestinians today. My people came from a country that no longer exists: Prussia. This book will be an excellent testament for future generations on why and how cultures and countries disappear.

What an incredible book--fully deserving of the National Book Award! Beautifully written, and illustrates such an important time in world history.