Son of Hamas: A Gripping Account of Terror, Betrayal, Political Intrigue, and Unthinkable Choices

A Lesson in Humility and Humanity

As a person of Arab descent, originally from Algeria, and a professor who specializes in issues related to North Africa and the Middle East, I consider myself informed, concerned, and particularly sensitive to events in Israel/Palestine, and relations between Israelis and Palestinians. Consequently, when I first heard Mosab Hassan Yousef's interview on NPR, I was skeptical that the book, "Son of Hamas...," was going to be of any great value to me. Most importantly, I was very concerned that the book, and the author's personal itinerary from "son" of Hamas, to "spy" for the Israelis, was going to put, yet again, the Palestinian cause in a negative light, and give Palestinians a "bad rap," while justifying the categorization of Hamas as a "terrorist organization." Also, I was worried that the book was going to present Israel and Israelis as the victims, and the cause of the Israeli Government as being just and righteous. Finally, I was not sure what affect it would have on American readers that the author abandoned Islam as his faith and embraced Christianity. I was concerned that this fact would put Islam, yet again, in a negative light... . In the end, after listening attentively to the entire interview, I was intrigued and curious as to how a Palestinian, and at that a "son of Hamas," could be brought to 1) spying for the Israelis, 2) changing his faith, and 3) bringing shame and "dishonor" to his family... . I had many questions and I was troubled. I bought the book the next day. When I started the book, I could not put it down. In spite of what I had feared initially, I feel now that the book does a very good job in representing both the cause of the Palestinians and that of the Israelis. For example, it may be that the most meaningful and powerful message in the book is that the author manages to convey the fact that the life of a Palestinian is not worth any more or any less than the life of an Israeli, and that when a Palestinian or an Israeli person dies it is as catastrophic for both surviving family members and for the communities. It is clear that at one point the author realizes this, I mean, he discovers the "Humanity" of his very enemy, and from that point on, he can no longer plot to kill the enemy. Furthermore, he can no longer participate in, directly or indirectly, or continue to embrace the aspirations of those who want to "eliminate" the enemy. From this standpoint, the book's lesson is one of humanity, and celebration of life. The second message I feel is one of humility. The humility which comes from envisioning the possibility that there are other "truths" besides that which comes from one's own and often narrow perspective, environment, or circumstance, and to intentionally seek out others', or the "enemy's perspective, and understanding of their particular circumstance. In other words, to humble oneself enough so that one can "hear" the other's viewpoint seems to be a message the author/s want to convey. While the messages in humanity and humility may seem worthy of/for any good cause, they can also mislead readers because they simplify the real issues at stake. As to the fact that the author abandoned Islam for Christianity, my only comment is that many readers might fail to see that Islam is about peace, and humility, and it seeks to create a more just and humane world.

10 out of 12 people found this review helpful.

Thoroughly Enjoyed

Not my typical genre, but I saw an interview with Mr. Yousef and found him so engaging I tracked down his book the day it hit stores. It provided insight into an unfamiliar culture. I am not of any one religion so I was slightly taken aback to find it in the religion section. Luckily it wasn't a "religious" book, but a story of a man's journey to find his own truth in a harsh world. It gave me hope that the world can someday be less violent.

3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Interesting perspective on Islam and Palastine conflict

His perspective gives an interesting view point of the conflict in Palastine and what it means to be empathetic towards others; highly recommended.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

UNDERSTANDING THE CHAOS IN MIDDLE EASTERN NATIONS - A GREAT READ

I've never understood why there is so much fighting in the Middle East. Reading pieces written by American's gives you their perspective but never goes to the root of the problem. "Son of Hamas" is everything indicated on the cover "A gripping account of terror, betrayal, political intrigue, and unthinkable choices" - I found it hard to put the book down. Mosab is a courageous young man - through the book you feel his heart and soul. As a "Seasoned American" I pray he finds the freedom and success our country has to offer.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Educational

Overall this was an educational read and I've come away with a new understanding of the conflict between Palestine and Israel. This book is a front row seat for what it is like to be confused in family, faith, and war.

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

terrorism to christianity

"son of hamas" is a very hard to put down bestseller. it is writtion by a ruthless terrorist who grew up in the islamic faith in the middle east in the hamas terrorist organization planting bombs and murdering israli citizens much later he exaimed his own faith and the violence that the terrorists and hate pursued and found an amazing faith in christianity

2 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

Invaluable Insight

It took me about two days to finish this book. It was incredibly insightful and well-written. If whoever is reading the book thinks about the events occurring in the book, it should provoke some hard questions. I may not agree with everything Mr. Yousef wrote, but it is truly an excellent book.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Outstanding Raead

I've traveled the middle east many times and this novel is very insightful. What courage this must have took for the author.
If only there could more people like him.

1 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

A Powerful Story of a Reformed Islamist Extremist

Very moving, shows that there is still humanity and love in the world.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Recommend it.

Very interesting and honest perspective from the side of a son raised in devout Muslim family and how his belief changes as he sees what his Father becomes and how the leaders of the different Palestinian factions change what the true meaning of Islam is. I hope he stays safe as this was a very brave attempt to tell the world what is really going on.

Son of Hamas is one of the more relevant and engaging books I ha

Son of Hamas is one of the more relevant and engaging books I have read. All 251 pages are bursting with dramatic insights into the political tensions of the Middle East, without a doubt one of the current world’s most war-torn regions

At its most basic, Son of Hamas is the tale of Mosab Yousef, who (as the title implies) was born to one of the seven founders of Hamas, the internationally notorious Islamic terrorist organization. The horrors he experienced as a teen pushed him away from Islam and into the arms of Israel’s intelligence agency, where for many years he supplied sensitive information on Hamas’ actions and intentions to his people’s mortal enemies. Mosab’s journey leads him deep into the mechanisms of Islam, Judaism and Christianity, and how at their heart all three are more similar than anyone would like to admit.

This religious theme permeates the entire book. As Mosab learns more about the people he was taught as a child to hate more than anything else, he frequently seeks understanding on why the Jewish and Islamic cultures cannot coexist. Using a mind un-blinded by senseless hate, he comes to realize the two cultures have very similar goals in mind. Throughout the book, this fact continues to manifest itself in multiple situations.

Another common message of Mosab’s is the pursuit of truth. It was the clash of words and actions that initially drove him away from Hamas, and the openness of the Israelis caused him to question everything he thought to be true about the world. No longer would Mosab accept things at face value. He had to soak it in, chew on it, and think hard before choosing to believe something in a Middle Eastern world tangled in lies, propaganda and deception.

This book was excellently written. Engaging, not too wordy, it efficiently portrays Mosab’s tale. Much of the book is filled with action and suspense, and when Mosab occasionally descends into philosophical and theological tangents, the message is anything but dry; in fact, it makes you think long and hard about what your impressions of the Middle East. In my honest opinion, there was nothing to not like about this story. I give it a well-earned five stars.

This story will make you question your preconceived notions of Muslims, Jews, and religious conflict, and see the Middle East in a completely different light. I heartily recommend it.

For those that have already read Son of Hamas, Tea with Hezbollah (Ted Dekker) is just as thought-provoking a novel about tolerance and crossing the religious border. I suggest you check into that as well.
-GH

Highly Recommended

I highly recommend this book. Very inspirational and educational. Regardless of your political or religious views, Son of Hamas provides an upclose view of the inner workings of the various factions of government and religions as well as a bette understanding of what motivates the various players within the Middle Eastern theater of war.

Son of Hamas

This is an amazing read. Couldn't put it down. Mosab has a wonderful testimony of bravery and sacrifice. He is an amazing individual. His commitment to Christianity and to Christ is inspiring.

Son of Hamas

Excellent read reveals the inside story of the organization and the conversion of a muslim to Christianity. Enlightening.

Horribley done

Nothing this man says is credible how does the reader know that this actually happened. I feel that he is simply searching for sympathy from his readers.

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Courage at its best!

Amazing details of a young man who beat the odds at understanding his enemy.

Informative About The Rumblings of The Middle East

What little I know of Hamas I have gleaned from scant news reports, but never have I had the desire to learn beyond it. I do know Muslims are, for the most part, bent on destruction as the Qur'an dictates, but Mosab gives us an account of both sides of Islam.

From page one, Mosab held me as he talked lovingly of his father. He talks about his assent in becoming one of the most powerful spies of Shin Bet in Israel. He saved many lives by endangering his own as he lived a double life for years. He endured harsh prison conditions and watched as fellow inmates were persecuted by Hamas. Hamas tortured and harmed its own out of sheer pleasure.

Mosab goes through the history of Muslims and his family. His father was the head of Hamas. In essence, his father was likened to a king and he, a prince, in his homeland. When his father was around, people treated him and his mother like royalty. They always had much to eat and plenty of clothes to wear; at least until his father got arrested by the Israelis. During those imprisonments, Mosab and his family struggled to put food on the table. One day his mother began making baklava to sell to the workers. It brought money into the household until his terrorist uncle spied him begging on the streets. After that, his mother cried bitterly they would sell no more baklava.

Online sources talk about the amazing number of Muslims that are turning to Christ especially after the Pakistan flood. After reading Mosab's account of struggle during the years of his father's imprisonment, I can understand why Muslims are coming to Christ now.

A more indepth review available at thehahnhuntinglodge.co. Book provided by the publisher. I'm not required to give a positive review.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Living a Life of Terror and Redemption Inside Hamas

There is so much information in the media about Islam extremists and the confusion into the world of the Muslim religion. In a thrilling biography, Mosab Hassan Yousef, takes us into his former world of Hamas and the life he led prior to coming to Jesus Christ.

In Son of Hamas, Mosab tells of his upbringing as the prominent son of one of the highest leaders in Hamas when it first began back in the mid 1950's and why peace in the Middle East continues to pose a problem. Even though he has now found Jesus Christ as his personal savior and become an outcast in his own hometown and with his family, Mosab takes us all on the thrilling inside look into a place few have been and lived to tell the story.

We learn through his personal accounts of what it's like when you live in the midst of the personal crisis surrounding the Palestinians and the Israelies people, what is was like being accused by your own country of being a spy and the horror of the prisons locked deep underground that few ever see and live to tell about.

This was an eye opening book for me to see the ladder of religion for most of the Muslim people and just what each step is as they climb closer to Jihad and their religious beliefs. It also took me into the eyes of the people that ran the prison camps both on the Israeli side as well as for the Hamas extremists and just how they think in regards to what is happening all over the world. The bigger picture is how one many who could be so deep inside Hamas could find Jesus Christ as his savior and risk his own death in telling this story and why even now he can't go back.

I received this book compliments of Tyndale House Publishers for my honest review and couldn't wait to read about a complete extreme transformation of a persons soul. I was not disappointed and commend the courage of Mosaf Hassan Yousef for telling his story through this book. I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants a greater understanding of the life in the Middle East and the Hamas organization in general. This book rates a hands down 5 out of 5 stars.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Son of Hasmas

"Son of Hamas" is the story of Mosab Hassan Yousef, son of Sheikh Hassan Yousef, co-founder of Hamas, the Islamic Palestinian terrorist group opposed to the Israeli occupation of lands believed to belong to the Palestinians. It is this feud that is at the heart of the Middle East conflict today and is the backdrop for this book.

More than a true story, "Son of Hamas" is a book about a journey. It is a journey of two men. For the father, it is a journey from the moderate religious side of Islam merely leading prayers and overseeing the community mosque to the political side of Islam. For the son, it is a much more complicated journey. Yousef loved Islam and loved only his father more. He saw the purity and ideal nature of Islam in his father; the love for the people and compassion for the poor and fatherless. As his father journeyed, so did he. "Son of Hamas" chronicles, as Yousef himself describes it, the climbing of the ladder of the Islamic faith. His journey is one from faithful Muslim, to Israeli spy working for the Shin-Bet, to Christ-follower. This book is filled with real-life accounts of imprisonments (both of his and his father's), torture, secret plans and operations, and acts of violence that would lead anyone to question whether or not the fighting was worth the end result.

I really enjoyed this book. It is a very quick and easy read that holds your attention. Anyone who even pays casual attention to world news has heard the name Hamas. This book does a very good job describing what Hamas is and how it relates to other organizations we hear about regularly. Well worth your time. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale House in exchange for my honest review.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Son of Hamas

Son of Hamas by Mosab Hassan Yousef is a memoir, an autobiography about the oldest son of Sheikh Hassan Yousef, a charismatic founding member of Hamas. In this book, it is revealed that Mosab Yousef makes his newfound faith public and risks everything to expose the secrets of the extremist Islamic organization and reveals the amazing double life he lived trying to prevent the killing of innocents by working with Hamas' enemies. The story starts off with the protagonist as a Muslim and a son of a terrorist.

I found this book horrifying as it reveals a lot of suffering, killing and the spoils of war. This book made me think a lot. All religions are good, why must men uses God's name to kill? I have no answer for this as it is human nature to be violent and vain. Greed, suffering and bloodlust is written so profoundly in this book that it terrifies me.

I'd recommend this to everyone who wants a better insight of the things that's going on in the middle east from a different point of view. This book is an excellent book as it's really thought provoking and would bring tears into your eyes as you read it.

I rate this book 4 stars. I thought they could improve on the cover a little bit.

I received this book from Tyndale House Publishers for an advance reading as part of their bloggers review program . I was not required to write a positive review and therefore, the book review is 100% my own opinion.