Description:
Review
‘There is so much we don’t really know or understand, even those of us privileged to have spent much of our lives in the Levant. This book is a personal story and doesn’t seek to be otherwise. It is not a definitive history or an academic work and nor does it claim to be. What it does is unearth some key nuggets which if better known could transform the understanding of many in the United Kingdom.
Notable is the central revelation of the McMahon correspondence with Sharif Hussein promising support for an Arab state, including the lands of Palestine, two years before the infamous Balfour Declaration. But other nuggets in this endearingly told story of discovery are the content of the Israeli Declaration of Independence; the courage of organisations like Zochrot; what Israelis and others across the region are not being taught in schools and the central role of the teaching of history across the region but also in the UK.
Although it is a personal tale it covers a good deal, including the particular challenges of the Bedouin in the Negev, often overlooked. It is in essence the story of the creation of the Balfour Project, but it is much more than that and the passion of Monica and Roger to share their discoveries with others shines through. It is an engaging book that provokes and well worth a read.’ – Frances Guy; Trustee, Balfour Project; UK Ambassador to Lebanon 2016-21
About the Author
Monica’s greatest inspirations are faith, family, and medicine. Working as a doctor with children in the community in Edinburgh, and enjoying travel, she learnt history by listening to people and their stories especially in the Middle East. She and her husband co-founded the Balfour Project to challenge Britain’s legacy of deceit in Palestine/Israel. She is based in Edinburgh.
Reviews:
5.0 out of 5 stars Essential reading for those wanting to understand the Palestine/Israel situation.
Monica Spooner admirably describes the deceit of the British government before, during and after the mandate period in Palestine with its, still, colonial attitude towards the Palestinian people. She describes the reality on the ground during her travels around Palestine and Israel where she encounters the difficulties and humiliations that the Palestinians suffer on a daily basis as they go about their lives under an apartheid-like regime. She uncovers the entrenched attitudes that are an obstacle to peace both within Israel as well as back home in Britain. She describes the journey that the Balfour Project has taken from its initial start through to the centenary of the Balfour Declaration to educate Britain on its historical and current responsibilities towards the Palestinians. The Balfour Declaration paved the way for a Jewish homeland on land that was already occupied by Palestinian Arabs, a gift that Britain had no right to make. A timely reminder of the British government's responsibility not only to apologise to the Palestinians but to actively support their struggle for self-determination in their own land.
1.0 out of 5 stars A little chatter about this and that
I bought the book somewhat reluctantly after reading a Kindle sample. I decided that I might learn enough more about the infamous Balfour Declaration to make it worth wading through the dreary prose but it really is a very disappointing read.
5.0 out of 5 stars Honest, informative, historically rich
In these deeply personal book about exploration, awakening and learning, Monica Spooner recounts her journey from someone who like most Britons, knows little about Britain's legacy in Palestine. As she and her husband come face-to-face with some of the consequences of this legacy, they begin to define a way forward and then build on it. The title of the book says it all, why didn't I know? Given Britain's hugely consequential role in fostering today's reality in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, this is a question more of us should be asking ourselves. And their creation of a fast-growing charity aimed at improving on this deficit is an inspiration to us all. Thank you Monica!
5.0 out of 5 stars An Enlightening and Essential Read on Britain’s Impact in Palestine
This book is a powerful and eye-opening read that brilliantly unpacks a complex and often overlooked chapter of history. The author's meticulous research and compelling narrative illuminate the profound impact of British policies on Palestine, offering invaluable insights that every reader should know. Spooner combines historical depth with a deeply human perspective, making the book both engaging and deeply thought-provoking. This is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the roots of today’s challenges in the region. Highly recommended for history enthusiasts and those committed to learning the truths of our shared past!
5.0 out of 5 stars The writing on the wall
This is a remarkable story of serendipity transformed into achievement, a spiritual and political journey of revelation and commitment from the Middle East to the middle of political London. Monica Spooner and her husband Roger went in 2008 on a holiday to Jordan, a country and part of a region of which they had little knowledge other than the general we most of us have who did geography at school and take a passing interest in foreign news. Monica and her husband worked in fields that had little directly to do with foreign affairs or politics.During their journey round Jordan they reached Aqaba, Jordan's outlet to the Red Sea, and by chance visited an historical exhibition in a museum--one artefact of which was Arabic lettering on a wall. They asked their Iraqi friend and guide to translate.It was a Damascene moment. I will not give the game away here except to say that the words they read, the staggering shadow those revelatory words cast across their view of Britain's historical record and responsibilities, sent both the Spooners on a journey of self-education on the Israel-Palestine question, and Britain's role in it. This led them to gather in friends and associates during a nine-year odyssey of instruction and organization that, on 31 Oct 2017, culminated in a mass meeting of 1200 people at Westminster Central Hall in London to in effect regret the malign effects of British policies in Palestine during the previous 100 or more years. The rally was entitled 'Britain's Broken Promise: Time for a New Approach'.It was not just looking back in regret, however---the conference, and the subsequent programmes of the Balfour Project the Spooners created, looked forward, concentrating on persuading the British Government, inter alia, to recognize immediately the state of Palestine, mobilizing British civil society behind the concept of self-determination and freedom for the Palestinian people, and teaching the old and young of the UK about the real history of their leaders' machinations in the Near East since the begining of the First World War (if not well before). Their Balfour Project charity is now a burgeoning enterprise that has organized yearly conferences ever since, has a Fellowship Programme for post-graduate students, an informative website that deals in history and current Middle East affairs, and a rolling programme of webinars, films, discussions and schools education that would have been unimaginable on the day Monica and Roger first looked at that museum wall in Aqaba.This book, however, is no polemic. It is a thoughtful and inclusive story of a bringing together of like-minded people from all areas of life and work, of all ages, with the Christian underpinnings of forgiveness and justice for all, but with a mission in sight. It is the story of how little people move mountains in the fight for human rights.Tim Llewellyn, former BBC Middle East Correspondent
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Why Didn’t I Know? Britain’s Legacy in Palestine
AED9336
Quantity:
Order today to get by 7-14 business days
Delivery fee of AED 20. Free for orders above AED 200.
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Visit the Troubador Publishing Store
Why Didn’t I Know? Britain’s Legacy in Palestine
AED9336
Quantity:
Order today to get by 7-14 business days
Delivery fee of AED 20. Free for orders above AED 200.
Imported From: United Kingdom
At BOLO, we work hard to ensure the products you receive are new, genuine, and sourced from reputable suppliers.
BOLO is not an authorized or official retailer for most brands, nor are we affiliated with manufacturers unless specifically stated on a product page. Instead, we source verified sellers, authorized distributors or directly from the manufacturer.
Each product undergoes thorough inspection and verification at our consolidation and fulfilment centers to ensure it meets our strict authenticity and quality standards before being shipped and delivered to you.
If you ever have concerns regarding the authenticity of a product purchased from us, please contact Bolo Support. We will review your inquiry promptly and, if necessary, provide documentation verifying authenticity or offer a suitable resolution.
Your trust is our top priority, and we are committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in every transaction.
All product information, images, descriptions, and reviews originate from the manufacturer or from trusted sellers overseas. BOLO is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an authorized retailer for most brands listed on our website unless stated otherwise.
While we strive to display accurate information, variations in packaging, labeling, instructions, or formulation may occasionally occur due to regional differences or supplier updates. For detailed or manufacturer-specific information, please contact the brand directly or reach out to BOLO Support for assistance.
Unless otherwise stated, all prices displayed on the product page include applicable taxes and import duties.
BOLO operates in accordance with the laws and regulations of United Arab Emirates. Any items found to be restricted or prohibited for sale within the UAE will be cancelled prior to shipment. We take proactive measures to ensure that only products permitted for sale in United Arab Emirates are listed on our website.
All items are shipped by air, and any products classified as “Dangerous Goods (DG)” under IATA regulations will be removed from the order and cancelled.
All orders are processed manually, and we make every effort to process them promptly once confirmed. Products cancelled due to the above reasons will be permanently removed from listings across the website.
Description:
Review
‘There is so much we don’t really know or understand, even those of us privileged to have spent much of our lives in the Levant. This book is a personal story and doesn’t seek to be otherwise. It is not a definitive history or an academic work and nor does it claim to be. What it does is unearth some key nuggets which if better known could transform the understanding of many in the United Kingdom.
Notable is the central revelation of the McMahon correspondence with Sharif Hussein promising support for an Arab state, including the lands of Palestine, two years before the infamous Balfour Declaration. But other nuggets in this endearingly told story of discovery are the content of the Israeli Declaration of Independence; the courage of organisations like Zochrot; what Israelis and others across the region are not being taught in schools and the central role of the teaching of history across the region but also in the UK.
Although it is a personal tale it covers a good deal, including the particular challenges of the Bedouin in the Negev, often overlooked. It is in essence the story of the creation of the Balfour Project, but it is much more than that and the passion of Monica and Roger to share their discoveries with others shines through. It is an engaging book that provokes and well worth a read.’ – Frances Guy; Trustee, Balfour Project; UK Ambassador to Lebanon 2016-21
About the Author
Monica’s greatest inspirations are faith, family, and medicine. Working as a doctor with children in the community in Edinburgh, and enjoying travel, she learnt history by listening to people and their stories especially in the Middle East. She and her husband co-founded the Balfour Project to challenge Britain’s legacy of deceit in Palestine/Israel. She is based in Edinburgh.
Reviews:
5.0 out of 5 stars Essential reading for those wanting to understand the Palestine/Israel situation.
Monica Spooner admirably describes the deceit of the British government before, during and after the mandate period in Palestine with its, still, colonial attitude towards the Palestinian people. She describes the reality on the ground during her travels around Palestine and Israel where she encounters the difficulties and humiliations that the Palestinians suffer on a daily basis as they go about their lives under an apartheid-like regime. She uncovers the entrenched attitudes that are an obstacle to peace both within Israel as well as back home in Britain. She describes the journey that the Balfour Project has taken from its initial start through to the centenary of the Balfour Declaration to educate Britain on its historical and current responsibilities towards the Palestinians. The Balfour Declaration paved the way for a Jewish homeland on land that was already occupied by Palestinian Arabs, a gift that Britain had no right to make. A timely reminder of the British government's responsibility not only to apologise to the Palestinians but to actively support their struggle for self-determination in their own land.
1.0 out of 5 stars A little chatter about this and that
I bought the book somewhat reluctantly after reading a Kindle sample. I decided that I might learn enough more about the infamous Balfour Declaration to make it worth wading through the dreary prose but it really is a very disappointing read.
5.0 out of 5 stars Honest, informative, historically rich
In these deeply personal book about exploration, awakening and learning, Monica Spooner recounts her journey from someone who like most Britons, knows little about Britain's legacy in Palestine. As she and her husband come face-to-face with some of the consequences of this legacy, they begin to define a way forward and then build on it. The title of the book says it all, why didn't I know? Given Britain's hugely consequential role in fostering today's reality in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, this is a question more of us should be asking ourselves. And their creation of a fast-growing charity aimed at improving on this deficit is an inspiration to us all. Thank you Monica!
5.0 out of 5 stars An Enlightening and Essential Read on Britain’s Impact in Palestine
This book is a powerful and eye-opening read that brilliantly unpacks a complex and often overlooked chapter of history. The author's meticulous research and compelling narrative illuminate the profound impact of British policies on Palestine, offering invaluable insights that every reader should know. Spooner combines historical depth with a deeply human perspective, making the book both engaging and deeply thought-provoking. This is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the roots of today’s challenges in the region. Highly recommended for history enthusiasts and those committed to learning the truths of our shared past!
5.0 out of 5 stars The writing on the wall
This is a remarkable story of serendipity transformed into achievement, a spiritual and political journey of revelation and commitment from the Middle East to the middle of political London. Monica Spooner and her husband Roger went in 2008 on a holiday to Jordan, a country and part of a region of which they had little knowledge other than the general we most of us have who did geography at school and take a passing interest in foreign news. Monica and her husband worked in fields that had little directly to do with foreign affairs or politics.During their journey round Jordan they reached Aqaba, Jordan's outlet to the Red Sea, and by chance visited an historical exhibition in a museum--one artefact of which was Arabic lettering on a wall. They asked their Iraqi friend and guide to translate.It was a Damascene moment. I will not give the game away here except to say that the words they read, the staggering shadow those revelatory words cast across their view of Britain's historical record and responsibilities, sent both the Spooners on a journey of self-education on the Israel-Palestine question, and Britain's role in it. This led them to gather in friends and associates during a nine-year odyssey of instruction and organization that, on 31 Oct 2017, culminated in a mass meeting of 1200 people at Westminster Central Hall in London to in effect regret the malign effects of British policies in Palestine during the previous 100 or more years. The rally was entitled 'Britain's Broken Promise: Time for a New Approach'.It was not just looking back in regret, however---the conference, and the subsequent programmes of the Balfour Project the Spooners created, looked forward, concentrating on persuading the British Government, inter alia, to recognize immediately the state of Palestine, mobilizing British civil society behind the concept of self-determination and freedom for the Palestinian people, and teaching the old and young of the UK about the real history of their leaders' machinations in the Near East since the begining of the First World War (if not well before). Their Balfour Project charity is now a burgeoning enterprise that has organized yearly conferences ever since, has a Fellowship Programme for post-graduate students, an informative website that deals in history and current Middle East affairs, and a rolling programme of webinars, films, discussions and schools education that would have been unimaginable on the day Monica and Roger first looked at that museum wall in Aqaba.This book, however, is no polemic. It is a thoughtful and inclusive story of a bringing together of like-minded people from all areas of life and work, of all ages, with the Christian underpinnings of forgiveness and justice for all, but with a mission in sight. It is the story of how little people move mountains in the fight for human rights.Tim Llewellyn, former BBC Middle East Correspondent
More from this brand
Similar items from “Palestine”
Share with
Or share with link
https://www.bolo.ae/products/K1836280750