WARNING: Reading Phyllis Chesler's book "Living History: On the Front Lines for Israel and the Jews" may be hazardous to your sense of well-being. It could lead to increased levels of skepticism. This, in turn could lead to a variety of side-effects ... a willingness on your part to question what we are told about the world around us, to make an extra effort to gain more information. You may even find yourself rejecting what 'everybody knows and believes,' in favor of a view that is more complicated, more detailed ... and perhaps more truthful.

These were my thoughts as I came to the conclusion of the book, a compilation of selected articles and essays Chesler composed over a 12-year period as she documented a growing number of incidents that form part of what she describes as a “slow motion Holocaust.” It is a theme that is familiar to those who have read Chesler's works in the past. This was my first introduction to Chesler, and I found myself engrossed, article-by-article, page-by-page. All of it delivered in a style that is clear, concise and compelling.

The incidents she documents have a growing range, occurring in a variety of social, educational and cultural settings around North America and Europe. They also have a growing level of shrillness, as denunciations of 'all things Israel' are encouraged ... and dissenting voices are discouraged.

And it's not just the talk. There is the way 'Middle East issues' are reported in the media. And there are the calls for excluding pro-Israeli attitudes from public fora, from universities, even from churches. Then there is the growing movement to call-out corporations that do business with Israel, and moves to divest investment funds from those corporation who won't go along.

An initial response might be something like, 'come on ... not really.' I was thinking that very thing, at first. But then you find yourself stopping, thinking, then recalling your own first-hand experiences ... as I did when my own Christian denomination began considering divestment from companies that do business with Israel ... JUST as Chesler reported.

There are still among us survivors of those years when the noun 'holocaust' became forever capitalized. Chesler's "Living History" will leave you with the unsettling thought that still another Holocaust may be in the works.

I strongly recommend this book ... with ample time to read it closely, carefully, and to occasionally set the book aside and consider what you've just read. ( )

We all have a somewhat vague, unfocused understanding of the threat posed to the Western world by aggressive Islam. Dr. Phyllis Chesler in her book makes frighteningly clear the facts regarding how real the danger truly is. The bias against the West in media, books, movies is detailed daily. The 2016 election is crucial--whether Democrat or Republican, the next american president must be one who will push back forcefully against the increasing pressure from radical Islam. ReadCr. Chesler's book and you'll know why.
Sunie Levin ( )

Phyllis Chesley did a fantastic job summarizing the violence, animosity and racial bias Israel and the Jews have struggled against between 2003 and 2015. It is a compilation of primarily published articles or the authors personal experiences during this time period. The author provides information in a manner that allows each reader to understand the strength of Israel and it's people. So many significant events have occured within this time frame that it had to be challenging to narrow the choices. Dealing with attacks by Islamic fanatics, Palistinians, suicide bombers and the daily violence are events that most Americans do not personally experience. This book left a very vivid image in my mind of how horrible it must be to live in this environment your entire life. ( )

This book is a compilation of the authors interviews and articles, along with choice news articals, compiled together over the first and second Intifida, or the period of uprising in the Gaza and West Bank against Israel against the Israel Government directed at the Israeli Government via innocent Israelis and soldiers, citicenzs and even the Palestinian people.

The book details the failure and bias of the western press to adequately portray the plight and truth of Israel's necessity and right to defend it's citizens under such barbaric attacks by fanatics. It show where the press around the world fails to portray the truth of the violent attacks by the fanatics against its own people and the blockage of food to its own people in many cases.

These uprisings were sparked iniatially by fanatical terrorist groups such Al-aqsa Brigade and later Hamas, which recruited innocent civilians as suicide bombers and and violent human weapons. It continues to do so even now during this time of war. Many are unable to truly understand that Israel has been intentionally backed into a corner by these fanatical groups for the purposes of garnering positive media attention and coverage for there own twisted coverage for the annhilation of Israael.

These fanatical terrorists do want a two-state solution what-so-ever. They want the complete demise of Israel. This is not to say that all Palestinians feel this way. There is a two-state solution. I do not agree with the author that all "Islamists" are for our demise. It is the fanatics, full of hate with twisted, greedy and bloody agendas which work towards this end. I am even more appalled that these fanatical groups will use their children in this war to corrupt their innocent minds and bread them into violence. The next generation must be brought into peace without fanaticism.

Both sides must eliminate all elements of fanticism, even within their patterns of thinking. Until then, however, the media and the world must understand that Israel must defend it's very existence. It is a sad statement to have to say.

I did not see a place for her feminism in this book. I thought it was rather off-subject. ( )

We all have a somewhat vague, unfocused understanding of the threat posed to the Western world by aggressive Islam. Dr.Chesler in her book of essays makes frighteningly clear the facts regarding how very real and very imminent the danger truly is. The specifics of what is happening, today are almost beyond belief.

The bias against the West, and most specifically, Israel, in media, books and news reports is starkly presented with highly detailed, documented clarity. The picture is scary. In particular, universities are complicit in promoting distorted views of Israel while attempts at countering the pro-Islamic propaganda are savagely repressed, making a mockery of free interchange of ideas which is suppose to be the very bedrock of academic credo. The heavy-handedness of this anti-Western campaign on campuses is frightening.

The UN has become a forum for Israel-bashing, knuckling to the pressure from Arab oil money. Israel is blamed for crimes committed by Arabs and Palestinians against their own people,

Just as in the 1930's, when Hitler rose to power, the West cringes before the bullying aggression of Islam. The 2016 election is crucial--whether Democrat or Republican, the next American president must be one who will push back forcefully against the increasing pressure from radical Islam. Read Dr. Cresler's book and you'll know why. ( )