Imatge de l'autor

Nicholas Blincoe

Autor/a de Bethlehem: Biography of a Town

16+ obres 303 Membres 3 Ressenyes 1 preferits

Sobre l'autor

Nicholas Blincoe is an award-winning novelist, playwright, and screenwriter. He has coproduced two feature-length documentaries on the Palestine-Israel conflict, Jeremy Hardy vs. the Israeli Army and Open Bethlehem, both directed by filmmaker Leila Sansour. Blincoe divides his time between London mostra'n més and Bethlehem. mostra'n menys
Crèdit de la imatge: Courtesy of Serpent's Tail Press

Obres de Nicholas Blincoe

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Perverted by Language: Fiction Inspired by The Fall (2007) — Col·laborador — 39 exemplars
Croatian Nights (2005) — Col·laborador — 11 exemplars
Vox 'n' Roll: Fiction for the 21st Century (2000) — Col·laborador — 5 exemplars
Varoom! 18 (2012) — Col·laborador — 1 exemplars

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For more reviews and bookish posts please visit: http://www.ManOfLaBook.com

More Noble Than War: A Soccer History of Israel-Palestine by Nicholas Blincoe traces the history of soccer in this small region of the world. Mr. Blincoe has written for radio and television, as well as several novels.

I have long ago realized that many things are more than they seem, and that politics seem to be encroaching on every aspect of our life. From schools, to the arts, and of course to sports. It is even more prominent in a part of the world where the politics are as divisive as ever.

The first thing I noticed in More Noble Than War: A Soccer History of Israel-Palestine by Nicholas Blincoe is that the author does not shy away from difficult and awkward historical or political issues. The second thing I noticed is that he is squarely in the Palestinians’ corner. That is fine, but I thought I’d mention it since the title could be misleading. To the author’s credit, he gives a bit of history about himself at the start of the book, informing the reader that he is married to a Palestinian woman (film director Leila Sansour) and lives, at least part time, in Bethlehem (the tile ” More Noble Than War ” is based on a chant Palestinian soccer fans use).

One would think from the book will mirror the structure of a soccer game, two teams against one another. But like many situations, this is a simplified scenario and the author does well to stay away from that false narrative, which is popular simply because it’s easy to understand. Much like the region’s history, the history of soccer in the area is complex and reflects the interest of the rich and powerful, much like it is today.

The book, however, did not go either here or there. It touches on the way special interests manipulated the sport, and touches on the passion that fans and activists feel – but doesn’t dive into either. The author also seems to harp over the crimes committed by Israel (actual crimes, like murder of Palestinians by citizens), but totally gloss over the Palestinian crimes.

The book shines when Mr. Blincoe goes to field (literally and figuratively), watching games, navigating Palestine and Israeli roads and traffic, and interviews those who control the teams. I would even say that the book can be divided between Blincoe the historian and Blincoe the reporter, each of them deserves their own separate book.
… (més)
 
Marcat
ZoharLaor | Feb 24, 2020 |
Blincoe compresses millenias of material into a readable, cogent story with the warm tone of one who continues to live Bethlehem's dramas. His treatment is fair without hiding his biases. His analysis benefits from the perspective of an outsider who has become an insider. Telling the story in a couple of hundred pages allows little depth in many places, but should provoke a commendable desire to delve.
 
Marcat
PhilipJHunt | Apr 25, 2018 |
Witty and intelligent.
A pleasurable read and displays a lot of knowledge regarding the troubles between Palestine and Israel.
 
Marcat
rory1000 | Aug 25, 2011 |

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Estadístiques

Obres
16
També de
6
Membres
303
Popularitat
#77,624
Valoració
3.0
Ressenyes
3
ISBN
39
Llengües
5
Preferit
1

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