Since Ian's internship in Jordan, his one year stay, and my one week visit, I have been very interested in learning more about the region, the people, and the history. But please! Spare me the long drawn out details of their 3,000 plus year history!
Enter, Queen Noor.
(I SO want to look this great when I am over 50. Can I get an Amen?!)Queen Noor, or Lisa, as was her birth name in the United States, coincidentally met King Hussein of Jordan and the married him in 1978. Anyone wondering how THEY didn't coincidentally meet a King? Yeah. Me too.
Right. Lisa (officially Elizabeth,) was born and raised in the US, and lived in California and DC for much of her childhood. She was shy, but very intelligent, and went on to assist her father in developing Jordan's airlines post college.
She met the King, the King became smitten, they "courted," and within weeks were engaged. Lisa, whose name was changed after her marriage to Noor Al Hussein, or Light of Hussein. Isn't that sweet? Right, so Noor went on to initiate, develop, and run many charitable organizations that helped to build up education, women's rights, national pride, and rural economic situations.
She also had four children with King Hussein, and was with him until he died in 1999.
The book was wonderful. So packed full of information that, I think, everyone needs to be aware of.
I came away from it really feeling enlightened, and I have a pretty good understanding of Middle East politics, customs, and history, considering!
One of the most striking features of this book was how clearly it showed me how our media, and even sometimes our government can unjustly favor the Israel side of matters. Even our school systems tend to favor the teaching that the Arabs were the ones all in the wrong in the past 60 years, and that the Israelis just wanted a place to call home.
That's not really the case however, and I thought it was interesting to finally have my eyes open to that.
One warning when you read this book, however, is that Queen Noor does write it from HER perspective. There are times when you look back and will think "she hasn't admitted to ANY wrong choices!!" and that is when you will realize that everyone has a spin on a story.
Take everything with a grain of salt. Add old information together with new. Do some research, and find out more.
Great book, if you can track it down at your library!
3 comments:
This sounds pretty interesting. Thanks for the review.
It's very rare for a book to engage in such culture and politics. I am glad you found this a good read and that you found it enlightened you =)
I really love biographies! I will definitely have to go get it or download it on my audibles!
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