What do You think about Children Of Jihad: A Young American's Travels Among The Youth Of The Middle East (2007)?
I have a confession to make: I have never been a history scholar. There are certain periods of history that interest me (the Harlem Renaissance, for example), but those are few in number, and normally don't coincide with anything reinforced in high school or college. I heard the author of this book interviewed on NPR, and I know that I had to read it. It contains the history of places that I (unfortunately) knew very little about, but because the author's own adventures were the focus of the book, I remained constantly engaged. Sometimes I still have to trick myself into learning something. My only criticism is that the author's Jewish descent was mentioned more than necessary. I understand that he is Jewish, and that he expected to be met with prejudice, but this same scenario occurs several times throughout the book. He did, at least, make the point that most of the countries he visited were anti-America, but NOT anti-Americans. And most of all, he made me want to visit a number of countries that had previously just seemed scary to me.
—Heather
I have to say that this young man has some serious conviction, yearning for knowledge, willingness to party under any and all conditions, and old-fashioned guts. Mr. Cohen travels to places few Westerners will ever experience outside of being stationed there by the military. I learned a lot about the history of Syria, Lebanon, Iran, and Iraq, as well as getting more insight into what always comes off in the media as a religion of extremism and intolerance. Pretty eye-opening stuff. Cohen's Jewish heritage kind of blinded him to some issues, and if it were up to me, I would have Israel dismantled and handed back to the Palestinians. He may disagree, but I wish he could have at least admitted that the Palestinians in the refugee camps had some relevant points. Anyway, a solid read, with excellent research and coherent logic in his historical representations.
—Jason
Not nearly as smart or articulate as Rory Stewart, a young man who also writes about and experiences the Middle East as an outsider, Jared Cohen has some interesting adventures in Lebanon, Iran, Syria, and even Iraq. If only he were a better writer and had had a better editor! He comes off as a girl-crazy young dude, who has the luck to be experiencing life in the Middle East first-hand as a Jewish American. He's brave and eager to learn, but he also seems like he has a lot more learning and growing to do. Who am I to judge? I could never do what he did. I just think his book would be much more accessible in a more serious tone. Then again, his whole thing is about the youth of today and of the future. He seems to think that cell phones and satellite TV will connect young people all over the world and perhaps save us. Perhaps I'm just turning into an old grump.
—Davida
