My Enemy, My Brother

by James Forman

"I don't want to get involved in killing," Dan says "But everyone here is involved. Completely." Chavera stares at Dan. "We want to stand up and take our place in this world... Dan, there is going to be a war here Israel. Where do you stand?"

Dan had not risen from the dead to seek death again. If they know how he really feels, they will despise him. Hanna, if he ever finds her, will understand. But how about Gideon, his old friend? What will he think if Dan refuses to join the fighters?

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1969

About the author

James Forman (October 4, 1928 – January 10, 2005) was a prominent African-American leader in the civil rights movement. He was active in the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), the Black Panther Party, and the League of Revolutionary Black Workers. As the executive secretary of SNCC from 1961 to 1966, Forman played a significant role in the freedom rides, the Albany movement, the Birmingham campaign, and the Selma to Montgomery marches.

Reviews

[Lorna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book told the story of Daniel Baratz. Dan is a young jewish boy who had experienced concentration camps during Hitler's rule as well as living in Palestine trying to find a place for Jewish. The story follows his struggle to find who he is and what he is fighting for in life. Dan's journey involves three friends, Hanna, Gideon, and Shelom, who he meets from a refugee camp in Poland. Fames Forman tells of these four youth's struggle of fighting for their lives as well as their purpose in living.
I really liked this book. It wasn't anything what I thought it would be. James Forman does a wonderful job in telling the story of so many jews who suffered through so much and were trying to find a home after WWII. It isn't a good feels book but does leave you thinking. I would recommend this older youth and those who are interested in the history of Jews and their experience with the holocaust and immigration to Israel.

[Bat713 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a treasure found while rummaging through old paperbacks doomed for the trash bin. The writing in this book / imagery is phenomenal. Very reminiscent of Leon Uris’s Exodus. It was copy written in 1969 so the viewpoint on the Israeli/Arab conflict reflected the start of Israel and its takeover of Palestine land. The four main characters represent the various ways the Jews behaved during this time period. It is so interesting to see what the modern Israel and its government compares to this beginning period. The writing is just wonderful! The book is chock full of Literary figures of speech. Just right for teaching high school which is where the book came from.📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚

[Edy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a post WWII novel involving a young Jewish boy who goes to Israel. After becoming a sheepherder, he meets an Arab boy--an enemy--who becomes his friend. It is a poignant, stark novel about the problems in the Middle East.

(I read this novel in the 70s when I was taking an adolescent lit. class. The critique came from one I did for the class. With all the issues in the Middle East, it is relevant today!)

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

wow, this was a really good book, ive been reading alot of books about israel and palestine and the gaza strip and this one was the best out of all of them. it was about how the whole thing got started after ww2 and i loved it!!!! read this, its good, but you might have a hard time trying to find it, the copy my mom got for christmas is falling to peices.................

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an interesting story, but the ending felt abrupt like there was supposed to be a follow-up book that never got written.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ending was weird. There should definitely be another book, the story just doesn't feel finished yet.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

7th Grade Assigned Reading

[Jonna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for research while I was writing a book on the Civil War. This book had useful information that was helpful to me.

[Aiden · Rating 3 out of 5]

It looked like it could be intriguing but it was too slow paced for me.