Alternatives to 'bad news'

If you are as weary as I am of all the bad news, one escape is to just turn away and find something else to read.

Here we are, 40 years into the occupation and the false hope of peace, and still people are dying every day.

So I have a few books that I am going to read, that I know you will read to help you understand my Palestinian psyche better. If you read what I read, you'll become Ray Hanania, too.

And why not?

So here's my reading list.

One of my favorite books is "The Collaborator of Bethlehem" by author Matt Rees, a former reporter based in Israel who published another book I read, "Cain's Field."

Rees is a great author, although I never really cared too much for all his reporting as former bureau chief for Time magazine; Rees's writing always seemed to stress a pro-Israeli view. His book kind of suggests that the Muslims are responsible for the worsening plight of Christian Palestinians, not the Israelis who strangle them in occupation. That is about as pro-Israel as you can get.

Still, that's a minor aspect of the book, which is well written and gripping at times. I enjoyed the story line: A young Christian, George Saba, is "charged" with collaborating with the Israelis - when do journalists ever write books about Israelis who steal Palestinian lands? It's always about collaborators.

But Saba's former history professor, Omar Youssef, refuses to believe that his former student would do such a thing.

Youssef has to "stand up" to the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade "gunmen," to fight for Saba's innocence and leads us through an often thrilling investigation into what may be the real cause for his problems.

Having covered the area for so many years, Rees offers some deep insight into the Palestinian psyche you'll never find Palestinians addressing.

And, you can be sure that "The Collaborator of Bethlehem" is not some boring rehash of the politics of the post-1948 war, which is all that most Palestinian and Arab authors seem to focus on when they write.

It's refreshing.

More political balance

You'll find a little more political balance from Nicholas Blanford, a correspondent for the Times who has written for the Christian Science Monitor and the Lebanon Daily Star, in his book "Killing Mr. Lebanon" which explores the events leading up to the assassination of the popular Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri on Valentine's Day 2005.

More than two years later, the United Nations has gotten around to convening a politically-driven pro-American investigative panel to put together the facts President Bush needs to ramp up the pressure against Syria's Bashar al-Assad.

But the book takes you beyond Syria and explores the Saudi connections. The details in the hours before and after the bombing are chilling. I can't forget seeing firsthand the crater that remains in front of the hotel in Beirut and the massive damage that was caused.

Clearly, you will leave the book believing Syria is involved in the Hariri murder, and in the murder of former journalist-turned-legislator Gibran Tueni.

The guilt is there, but we need not cater it to make President Bush so happy. The truth without Bush's political spin is more than enough and Blanford's book spells it all out.

If you just want to enjoy a great story and great writing set on the backdrop of contemporary politics, rather than trying to spin the politics, pick up Neil MacFarquahar's book "The Sand Cafe."

It takes place in Saudi Arabia in August 1991, as American forces are preparing to attack Iraq. It's not the politics of war or nations, but the politics of people.

Stark neutrality

Another journalist (like the two above,) MacFarquhar gives us a serious and humorous look at life behind the headlines in the journalism bunkers.

What really impressed me was how accurately MacFarquhar captured the laziness of journalists. But that's a common theme in most books and movies, because it is often so true, I guess.

In "Live from Jordan," author Ben Orbach shares the surprises and experiences of his travels through the Middle East. Orbach is Jewish, but he offers stark neutrality in his views giving us details about Arab World life you rarely see written.

I'm just starting this one, but I am already racing through the first few chapters. I think I am learning more about my Arab people from Orbach than I have learned from Arab writers who, again I say it, insist on making the 1947 Palestine conflict the central theme of everything they write.

Boring. But not boring, so far, is Orbach's book.

And finally, there is one book by an Arab that dwells on the 1947 Palestinian Nakba, the tragedy.

It's Ibrahim Fawal's "On the Hills of God." Arabs always begin their titles with prepositions, rather than active words. It's the trend of "victims," I think.

Despite the title, the book is a fascinating look into the Palestinian narrative, as narrated through the talented writing of a Palestinian and former Ramallah native.

Fawal (not related to the late great demagogue the Rev. Jerry Falwell) takes us on a ride of love, life and passion. Fears and bravado in the face of the more organized and better trained Haganah and pre-state Israelis.

Actually, Fawal helps you understand why Arabs think the way they do. And for that alone, even if you don't care for Fawal's talented and compelling writing, its worth reading.

Ray Hanania is an award winning Palestinian American journalist, author and standup comedian. He can be reached at www.IPComedyTour.com.