Once Upon a Country

A Palestinian Life

Sari Nusseibeh

Born into a prominent family with deep roots in Jerusalem, Nusseibeh
reluctantly became involved in politics, constantly aware that co-existence
with Israel is possible. Hated by extremists on both sides, he has always
held fast to the principles of freedom and equality which have guided all
his decisions, no matter what the personal cost.
His beautifully-written memoirs, interwoven with the story of his larger
family - and with the history of the Palestinians since before 1948 - are a
rare view into what the Arab-Israeli conflict has meant in reality for a
Palestinian family. The consequences of the 1967 war changed things
even further for Nusseibeh's life in Jerusalem - not always negatively.
Appointed by Arafat to be the PLO representative in Jerusalem, we get a
first-hand view inside the workings of the first Palestinian Authority, and a
close-up of Arafat himself. "A deeply admirable book by a deeply
admirable man." New York Times