Bakunin

Solid overview of challenges to peace

Reviewed: 05-07-12

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely, this book works great as an audiobook, since Beinart does an excellent job at summarizing key points clearly and succinctly. In terms of the content of the book, Beinart expands from his New York Review of Book article on the growing generational gap between young American Jews whose commitment to liberal values makes them feel alienated from Israel due mainly to its unlibaral occupation. As such, since the 1980s, wealthy right-wingers have hijacked Israeli advocacy in the US to the detriment of Israel, as its misguided policies are counterproductive to both its security and survival (as a Jewish and democratic state).

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

I especially enjoyed Beinart's section on the peace process. He did an excellent job at summarizing the main final-status negotiations and destroyed the myth that the Palestinians are not a partner for peace by outlining their counterproposals during negotiations. He also does an excellent job at highlighting the fact that Likud, and Netanyahu are not really committed to the two-state solution, since Netanyahu really favors a mini-Palestinian state within the West Bank, and if he were really serious about peace, the solution is well known (something close to the Geneva Initiative). As such, his conclusion that settlement products should be boycotted is welcome, as the Israeli government clearly needs to be pressured into finally ending the occupation and establishing a contiguous, viable, Palestinian state.

Have you listened to any of Lloyd James???s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Consistent as always, he has a steady pace, clear pronunciation, and nice tempo (not too fast or slow).

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2 people found this helpful

Great thesis, should have been an article

Reviewed: 01-30-12

Would you listen to Pity the Billionaire again? Why?

Yes, the author's thesis is solid

What was one of the most memorable moments of Pity the Billionaire?

Simply when he starts introducing the Tea Party, and what their demands were, and how scary, frustrating, and counter-intuitive they were given that they were responding to the financial crisis.

Have you listened to any of Thomas Frank???s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not listened to any of his prior works, but I have read the book What's a Matter with Kansas.

Any additional comments?

This book is one of those cases when the author has a great idea that is meant for a 30 page article. There was no need to make this into a book, and this became clear as the author added filler after filler. Ironically, it works well in an audiobook, because you don't have to be paying close attention, since the argument will be repeated constantly, and interesting anecdotes are scattered throughout the book.

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4 people found this helpful