HOW TO CURE A FANATIC

by Amos Oz

Paperback, 2012

Status

Available

Call number

956.053

Genres

Religion & Spirituality

Collections

Non-Fiction, History

Publication

Vintage Books (2012)

Description

Internationally acclaimed novelist Amos Oz grew up in war-torn Jerusalem, where as a boy he witnessed firsthand the poisonous consequences of fanaticism. In two concise, powerful essays, the award-winning author offers unique insight into the true nature of extremism and proposes a reasoned and respectful approach to resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He also comments on related issues--the Gaza pullout, Yasser Arafat's death, and the war in Iraq--in an extended interview at the end of the book. The brilliant clarity of these essays, coupled with Oz's ironic sense of humor in illuminating the serious, breathes new life into this old debate. Oz argues that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is not a war of religion or cultures or traditions, but rather a real estate dispute--one that will be resolved not by greater understanding, but by painful compromise. Fresh, insightful, and inspiring, How to Cure a Fanatic brings a new voice of sanity to the cacophony on Israeli-Palestinian relations--a voice no one can afford to ignore.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member teaperson

An interesting take on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, in a slim volume (adapted from a couple of lectures). Oz argues that the conflict is between two peoples, both of whom are right about their claim to the land. It's not an opinion that many partisans of both sides will accept, but that might

be an argument for it. Still, it could perhaps be expanded beyond these few pages - few even with a totally unenlightening interview with Oz tacked on at the end.

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LibraryThing member vsnunez

We should all read this book. It's a very short, simple, and elegant book, proposing a way forward by taking small first steps that reasonable people can do.

LibraryThing member -Eva-

Definitely a must-read. Even if you don't agree with Mr. Oz, he makes a fantatic argument for the old "walk a mile in someone else's shoes"-idea.

LibraryThing member jawalter

It's not really as ambitious as its title, but this collection of two lectures and an interview is still worth a look. Oz tackles the longstanding dispute between Israel and Palestine with a wisdom and clarity that is refreshing. Does he solve the problem? Alas, no. Does he really sketch out a

method to cure a fanatic? Again, he does not.

I'm certainly no expert on Middle Eastern politics, so I'm in no position to judge the viability or practicality of his suggestions, but what Oz writes feels right. I'll confess, however, that I was unconvinced by his "teaspoon" argument: that if there's a fire, we should do whatever we can to put it out, even if our only water-bearing vessel is a teaspoon. A teaspoon is about all I have, and using it to fight the conflagration of modern fanaticism feel purely futile.

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LibraryThing member michalsuz

Short but not sharp, in fact almost gentle, ordinary everyday language in a conversational tone, saying what many Israelis know (I hope) - that the conflict is all about The Land, with which both people have an umbilical link...

For me the most welcome part of the writing is where Oz says that the

Palestinian leadership - whether Gaza or the West Bank - fail their people by not educating them about the realities of the situation - that the Jews too have a strong link to the country, that their history there goes back many centuries.
Oz appeals to a maturity which neither side appears to possess.
Those who most need to read this book are unlikely to do so. However, I shall send a copy to an Orthodox Jew of my acquaintance: if no one knocks at the door, it is likely to remain closed for ever. One must cling to hope.

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LibraryThing member ericlee

This tiny little book, which you can read in under an hour, is a reminder of how much Amos Oz is missed today. The book consists of two short speeches he gave in Germany in 2002, then a few pages about the "Geneva Accords" of 2003, and then a look back a decade later in an interview. Oz was a

leading light of the Israeli peace camp, a man who believed strongly in a two-state solution and above all, in the fact that both sides in the dispute between the Israelis and Palestinians could be right, and have rights. Sadly, few today at least among the political elites of Israel and Palestine, seem to share this view. And as for how to cure a fanatic, he has some simple strategies, including reading literature and having a sense of humour. Amos Oz was arguably Israel's greatest writer, but he was also one of its most decent human beings. May his memory be blessed.

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