Thanks to Lawrence Wright; Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage and Anchor; and NetGalley for access to the Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is not an easy book. It is well written and moves along nicely while the plot works to resolve the murder of a police chief. The murder case is solved but the deeper problems of Palestine and Israel remain – brought to light by an author with knowledge and experience on the subject. As Agatha Christie said, murder is easy, but the deeper conflict is full of emotion and frustration with no easy answers or resolution.

Recommended but realize that this book will draw passionate responses from many on its portrayal of the situation – from both sides. For others it will be eye-opening to gain some insights into this long standing conflict where there are no easy answers and there haven’t been for millennia.

After recovering from injuries received from a bomb and still dealing with memory issues, FBI agent Tony Malik decides to explore his paternal Palestinian roots by attending a family wedding in Gaza. While there, the chief of police is beheaded and Tony becomes a prime suspect. Once cleared, he teams up with an Israeli police inspector to investigate the murder.

Wow! What an excellent book, well written by Pulitzer Prize winning author, Lawrence Wright. More than just a mystery/thriller, Wright delves into the historical roots of both the Arabs and Israelis and their conflict, with the archival and mythical flowing seamlessly back and forth with the contemporary plot. The story follows characters on both sides, exploring their backgrounds and experiences, culminating in the October 6, 2023 attack in Israel.

Engrossing and informative, I learned much of the historical perspective of both the Arabs and the Israelis. Unfortunately, it left me with the feeling that there will never be justice, peace, or the resolution of this conflict. Despite many peace seeking people on both sides, the hatred and the atrocities that have been inflicted do not seem that they can be overcome.

This is a very worthwhile read.

***Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this upcoming book***
Before reading this, I was only familiar with Mr. Wright's non-fiction works having read The Looming Tower. I don't want to get into the political aspects of the novel and will just be discussing the story.

The story focuses on a Tony, a FBI agent who is almost killed by a bomb. He eventually recovers and tries to rebuild his life and will do whatever it takes to get back to his job at the FBI. He finds out that he has distant relatives in Palestine and wants to travel there for a family wedding. He stops in to chat with his former colleague and when the colleague finds out where he is headed, he asks Tony to meet up with an Israeli police chief. Shortly after meeting Tony, the police chief is kidnapped and brutally murdered and this launches the crux of the story.

The characters are all nicely fleshed out but the story is a bit of a mess and jumps all over the place. Also, I was wondering if the story would tie into the real world attack that Hamas launched on Israel, and it does. I thought that the author treated the subject matter respectfully but that's my opinion and yours might differ.

This was an enjoyable but messy story that will appeal to people looking for a mystery that ties into real world events.

This book is a thoroughly engaging thriller and murder mystery but it is so much more. I love reading books where the story grabs you from the very first page and launches you through an intricately woven plot to deliver you to the last page more educated and knowledgable than when you started. I learned so much about the history of the Israel/Pakistani conflict while completely engrossed in the story telling and he characters. Highly recommended

Thanks to NetGalley and Knopf for an advanced reader copy

Tony Malik, a half-Irish, half-Arab FBI agent based in New York, specializes in tracking money from drug and arms deals. His life takes a dramatic turn when a long-term relationship ends and his job hangs in the balance. Amid personal turmoil, Malik becomes intrigued by his Palestinian father's past. He decides to visit his ancestral homeland for his niece's wedding, accepting a seemingly simple FBI assignment along the way.

Upon arrival in Gaza, Malik's world is upended when the Israeli police chief is murdered. Initially a suspect, Malik's investigative prowess soon earns him a place in the Israeli investigation. At the heart of the story is Malik's complex relationship with Yossi, the hardline anti-Arab Israeli police officer leading the case. They must learn to trust each other because, as they move closer to solving the case, they realize there is no one else they can trust on either side.

Fantastic adventure into and education of the Middle East and its conflict. This was an engaging story from the first page and kept me glued to the page the whole way through. I especially appreciated learning more about the Palestinian and Israeli cultures and their conflict. 4⭐

I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

I was completely absorbed by this timely and intricate thriller that masterfully weaves together personal drama, political tension, and the complex reality of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It poses the question: on the human scale, is an Isralei life worth more than a Palestinian?

Wright's story centers on Tony Malik, a Palestinian-American FBI agent whose seemingly routine trip to Gaza for a family wedding becomes entangled in a high-stakes murder investigation of an Israeli police chief. At its heart is the compelling partnership between Malik and Yossi, a hardline Israeli police officer. Their evolving relationship serves as a microcosm of the larger conflict, as these two men from opposing sides must learn to trust each other in an environment where trust is a rare commodity.

Wright demonstrates his expertise in crafting fully realized characters, from Malik's bride-to-be niece to Yossi's daughter studying in Paris, and even a peacenik fiancé with Hamas connections. Each character feels authentic and three-dimensional, contributing to the story's rich tapestry of intersecting lives and conflicting loyalties.

The novel excels in its ability to explain the complicated history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict without becoming didactic. Wright weaves historical context naturally into the narrative, helping readers understand the deep-rooted tensions that influence every interaction and decision in the story.

The novel builds to a devastating climax that coincides with the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. I found myself deeply moved by Wright's ability to transcend the typical thriller format and create something far more meaningful – a profound exploration of human nature, loyalty, and the devastating cost of generational conflict.

A big thank you to Knopf and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is a hard book to read, long and very dense and very painful. The characters, vividly drawn Palestinians and Israeli represent many of the issues that is present in the intense conflict between the two communities. And more than that, they represent the heart that wants to love, that wants to heal and the heart whose grief can only be expressed in hate and desire for revenge and for some the desire to keep the revenge going. Lots oif other issues addressed , both historically and currently, the corruption of leaders, drugs, that lack of free elections, the devastation from living your whole life under these conditions. He also discusses the similarities in dna among both peoples and the cultural similarities as well. the peace movement, the anti government movement is talked about as well. It is an ambitious project and he does it well. I think if you can get past the beginning, which is very dense at times, you will be glad you did

"The Looming Tower," written by Lawrence Wright was one of, if not the favorite book I read in 2006. So when I read the blurb/description about "Human Scale," I was intrigued. I was also worried, as I wasn't sure if I was ready to read a book that culminates in the horrific war of terroristic events started by Ham*s on October 7.

But again, I was intrigued. Much like Nelson DeMille's "Night Fall" that led up to September 11, I trusted the author.

Instead, I found trope after antisemetic trope about Israel "occupying" Palestine. About Israeli settlers destroying "Palestinian land." And yes, I understand and appreciate that there are radicals everywhere, and that if you are too far left or too far right, you end up in the same place.

But how a "detective story?" about an Israeli Police Captain being murdered, being turned into a book about truly crazy, radical, murder-happy Israeli... I don't understand.

The description of the book reads "... (The Human Scale) revolves around the newfound - and forced - relationship between a Palestinian American FBI agent and a hard-line Israeli cop... this is the rare novel that manages to entertain, educate and deeply move the reader."

I reviewed the letter written by the publisher at Knopf, which in part reads: "The book is going to be controversial because it presents a three-dimensional side to so many points of view. It humanizes conflict in ways very few novels have managed to do."

If Lawrence Wright was truly trying to show "all-sides" of the conflict, I do not think he achieved this. I wanted to put the book down numerous times, because I found the tropes appalling. While there were numerous Palestinian characters that were written as warm, caring, family-loving, cultural-loving people, there truly was only one Israeli who was captured that way (Yossi's daughter, Sara.)

I may be harsh. And yes, the book will be controversial. But I cannot and will not recommend it. And that's a shame, because we need books "like" this - showing Palestinian and Israeli views... just not to a scale like this.

Thank you to Knopf and NetGalley for letting me read this early. I truly appreciate it. Reading this book stirred up passions and shook me - and that's a wonderful thing for a book to do. Wright 100% knows how to capture a story and this will not stop me from reading other books by him. But I think this book will do more harm than opening eyes to the horrors of the conflict.
"

I received an advance ebook copy from Netgalley and the publisher.

I found this book to be difficult and challenging, and due to the level of intensity I had to take frequent breaks in my reading.

An Israeli police officer and an Arab/Irish American FBI agent team up to solve a murder in Hebron, where much of the story takes place. It's complicated, but the fictional events (some based in history and real life) leave very little hope of the two warring populations ever being able to peacefully coexist.

This well written book about the ongoing tension between Israel & Palestinian
people leading up,to,the Hamas Invasion of October 2023 is very good. As the
last person you would think would read this truly educational ~ fictional story,
I am embarrassed by my lack of knowledge , even with visiting the region.
The brilliant way the Author integrated the FBI and local Police and other
Agencies, the loving families who find their loved ones murdered and fear
For their beloved children…while it’s too much, we’re each responsible for
becoming and remaining aware of the issues that plague the region. I
highly recommend this to everyone.
My thanks to Knopf Publishing for the download copy of this book
for review purposes.
Everyone needs to have this book in the TBR stack.

Lawrence Wright had done it again. He had written a defining book of fiction and analysis of the war between Israelis and Palestinians that rivals his Pulitzer Prize winning book, The Looming Tower in that book he wrote about the inevitable climb to terror on 9-11. He tells the story through the misadventures of Tony Malik, a former FBI agent who has been partially disabled after a bomb in the Middle East nearly kills him. Finding himself unable too return to his former life in New York, he decides to go to the West Bank wedding of his cousin, the daughter of his uncle who was an identical twin of his father, who died previously. Unfortunately for his Palestinian family, the wedding is scheduled for October 7, 2023

I want reveal any plot points beyond the inevitable given the dates of the events in this book. However, my reading of this book left me with a strong taste of the inevitability of the events on October 7 and a conviction that there will never be peace in the country, given the thousands of years of conflicts between Israel and the residents of Gaza. Prepare to be educated if you read this book, but don't look for any happy endings.

Here I go again. It’s only January and thanks to NetGalley, I got to read this timely book. I’m sure it will be on the favorite books of the year list.
I couldn’t put this book down. Tony an Arab, working for the CIA and is caught in a bomb explosion on the job, and his memory isn’t as it was before, his cousin is going to be married and he decides to go, to reconnect with his family, he knows nothing about. Only that his father looked so much like his uncle.. His story is a precursor to the October 7th account of the killings and kidnapping that happened that day. A lot of which I didn’t know and what lead up to it.. Not everything is as it seems. The drugs, the corruption, I hate to give away so much of the story.
Lawrence Wright is a wonderful writer. His description of the areas, the bombings, the suffering, the land itself felt like I was there. Also his description of the characters brought them all to life.

Review of Uncorrected eBook File

FBI agent Anthony Malik, injured in a bomb explosion, is on leave from the bureau as he recovers from his injuries. He decides to visit his father’s homeland where he will attend the wedding of his cousin and visit his extended family.

Yossi, Ben-Gal, a member of the Hebron Police Force, is investigating the beheading of Chief Jacob Weingarten, an event that triggered mass violence. Hamas has been blamed, but Yossi doubts this since beheading is not their way of dealing with people.

When Tony and Yossi end up as partners in the investigation, will they find the answers? Or will the violence bring even more death?

=========

This is a difficult book to read. The hatred and animosity between the people in the Middle East, the unending violence, the astounding differences in perception all play on the reader’s sensibilities. As Tony and Yossi reluctantly work together to investigate the beheading of Yossi’s chief, the grudgingly-achieved relationship between them fosters if not a friendship, then certainly an acceptance.

Well-drawn, fully-fleshed characters populate the telling of this tale; the strong sense of place adds to the strength of the unfolding narrative. Readers are pulled into the telling of the tale from the outset; evolving events keep the pages turning as fast as possible.

Tension creates a strong undercurrent in this moving narrative; the violence and hostility are always in the forefront of the telling of this incredible tale. Nevertheless, this intriguing story, as difficult as it is to read, keeps readers involved until the last word has been read.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor / Knopf and NetGalley
#TheHumanScale #NetGalley

this book was pretty good! It was okay, it felt like a lot was going on, and felt overbearing trying to read and follow it. It was not the best, and it was a bit messy and not easy to follow.

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

I was very excited to read Lawrence Wright’s latest, “The Human Scale”, a mystery/thriller set in Israel and Palestine in the days leading up to the October 7th attacks. I have really enjoyed Wright’s past books about the Middle East, “The Looming Tower” and “Thirteen Days in September”. Those books covered complex topics but were still easy to read and I learned a lot from them.

But it felt like Wright was trying to do too much with “The Human Scale” and I just couldn’t keep up or figure out what was going on, even after I got 20% of the way in. So I didn’t finish this book.

I think this book would be a better fit for a reader who is already well versed in the complexities of life in Gaza and knows how the different organizations on the ground there, both terrorist and peacekeeping, all fit together.

I remain a huge Lawrence Wright fan, though, and look forward to reading more from him in the future.

What a timely read. I especially enjoyed the historical references which gave even more meaning to the storyline. Unfortunately, the "gloss over" of the depravity of the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel made this book just another treatise on the unjustness of Israel. I expected more from this author. I received an ARC from NetGalley, and the opinions expressed are my own.

About the last book I’d want to entertain myself with is one about the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. But I have long admired Lawrence Wright’s books, and I was intrigued by the idea of his encapsulating the conflict within a murder mystery/political thriller. Tony Malik, an FBI agent whose father came to New York from Palestine, is on leave to recover from injuries—including a traumatic brain injury—caused during an attempt to defuse a terrorist bomb. His girlfriend has dumped him, and the Bureau seems wishy washy about whether he’ll be able to return to active service, so Malik thinks: road trip! Well, not that kind of road trip. He decides to go to Hebron, Israel, to his cousin’s wedding and to visit his extended family.

Yossi Ben-Gal, another principal character, is on the Hebron police force. One thing the reader learns quickly is that police forces are very much subordinate to the IDF (Israeli Defense Force) and the internal intelligence service, Shin Bet, nicknamed Shabak. All around Hebron, far-right Israeli groups displace Palestinians to establish settlements. Violence is everywhere, every day, unrelenting, from both sides. The “human scale” refers to how many lives each side deems necessary to make up for a life taken on their side. But Wright takes his story down to the level of Malik’s family members and acquaintances, Yossi and his colleagues, the settlers, and other individuals. That is the “human scale” where Wright plays out the tragedy of the conflict, where there are now so many extremists on both sides who do not believe in peace, only obliteration of their foe.

When Yossi’s chief is shown on video being beheaded in what appears to be a Hamas execution, an eruption of violence begins. But Yossi, who hadn’t been particularly friendly with his pacifist boss, wonders why his boss begs him to help on the video. Why me, Yossi can’t help wondering, and this gets him working on his own investigation, especially since he’s already dubious that Hamas is to blame, since they are not given to beheadings, unlike some other terrorist groups. Yossi doesn’t trust his colleagues, but through a series of events, he ends up in a wary partnership with Malik, who wants to help his cousin, whose fiancé has been accused of being the executioner.

There is a great deal of tension and action in this book, which kept me turning the pages. But Wright also frequently stops the action to explain historical events leading to the current levels of deadly animosity between the Israelis and Palestinians. I understand why he felt the need to include that exposition. I doubt there are many readers who would know this history at the level of detail Wright gives, and his explanations are helpful. I expect that the book will be slammed by readers who refuse to accept criticism of Israelis, or by those who are just as passionate about defending Palestinians. But I think it will be appreciated by readers who want a better understanding of this tragic conflict—and who want to read a compelling narrative.

I loved this one it was a good well plotted thriller that gives you insight into others cultures and perceptions and complexities of life in the Middle East East
It was an amazing read. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review books

This book is an incredible story about a man's journey to find his roots after a crippling accident on the job. He travels to the holy land to meet his remaining family. The author then weaves the history of the land, the faith, and the wars into the story of Tony's visit. As Tony sees the daily struggles of his family, Wright portrays the daily struggles of the people on both sides. There is so much happening to the characters - who feel so real - to the community and in the area. All of the factual events and honest emotion make this book read like both a thriller and a historical novel. This book was not only an exceptional read, it gave me a much better understanding of what happens in the daily life of those in the holy land and why they feel so committed to their cause. It is heartbreaking to know that those born in the area feel so strongly against their 'enemies' that they would rather die than forgive, that they would not consider leaving to pursue a life without aggression, that they feel even children are not innocent. I cannot understand how anyone could discount life or so easily accept death, and yet Wright lays the foundation to explain how those living in the holy land have been raised with these beliefs. I came away with sadness but also enlightenment.

Very Intense and numbing story of Tony Mallik, an American Arab FBI agent whose life
changed forever when he was among the victims of a terrorists bomb
that accidentally t exploded while being defused by his bomb squad.
Still recuperating and not sure what his job future looks like, he goes to
Israel to attend a family wedding in Gaza and becomes involved in the investigation
of the brutal beheading of an Israeli police chief.
The story drags a bit, for me, in the history telling and the back and forth intermingling of
the characters from then and now.
Malik struggles deeply with the Jewish/Palestinian divide as he pushes forward in search of the person behind the murder of the captain.
It is, however, rich in learning opportunities and a much clearer portrayal of the deeply complicated and painful conflict which divides and labels a country struggling to find acceptable compromise
for all peoples.
A good read with a wealth of teaching behind the lines.