The Last Earth: A Palestinian Story [Paperback]

This is a history of modern Palestine like no other: built from the testimony of people who have lived through it. Ramzy Baroud here gathers accounts from countless Palestinians from all walks of life, and from throughout the decades, to tell the story of the nation and its struggle for independence and security. Challenging both academic and popular takes on Palestinian history, Baroud unearths here the deep commonalities within the story of Palestine, ones that draw the people together despite political divisions, geographical barriers and walls, factionalism, occupation, and exile. Through these firsthand reports—by turns inspiring and terrifying, triumphant and troubled—we see Palestine in all its complexity and contradictions, ever vibrant in the memories of the people who have fought, physically and otherwise, for its future. A remarkable book,The Last Earthwill be essential to understanding the struggles in the contemporary Middle East.
 

Ramzy Baroudis a journalist and media consultant. He is the editor ofPalestine Chronicleand the author ofMy Father Was a Freedom Fighter, also published by Pluto Press.

Acknowledgements
Foreword: Ilan Pappe
 
1 Shit River
2 Abu Sanal-The One with the Slippers
3 Spirit of the Orchard
4 Death Notice
5 Jesus of Beit Jala
6 Letters to Heba
7 Alive in Gaza
8 The Lask Sky
9 Dawn
Postscript: Echoes of History
Index
 

“At times reminiscent of the storytelling of the iconic Gabriel García Márquez, Baroud mingles past, present, dreams, and fantasy to forge a document that demands respect and rejects pity. . . . Engrossing . . . A vital and inspiring document.”

“Unique. . . .The Last Earthhas the same precision and clarity of language found in his columns, and the same adherence to fact, but it is written with all the pathos l£3