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Rating: 
Summary: As informative as a guide, as pleasurable as a novel
Review: Black's debut sends the reader into a contradictory world of beauty and war, of passion and of aggression. To read it is to be there, yet yearn to experience the treasures of the middle east and learn the complexities first hand that make it such a fascinating place. Travalogues can be tedious when too informative and yet when too personal can be frustratingly useless to the traveller. Black, however, strikes a balance that both inspires the reader to go, offering useful advice, in a style that is compelling. The journey from the innocence of youth to the dawning realities of adulthood provides a perfect backdrop to the intricacies of middle-east politics and so opens the reader's eyes to the humanity of what one sees on the news. I was sad I finished it so quickly. I might just have to book a flight...
Rating:
Summary: You Can Taste the Hummous
Review: Black's first effort takes us to a time in our very near past when peace in the Middle East was almost reality.
Both a personal and objective account of the mid-late nineties in one of the most written about countries on the planet.
Black does not bog us down with history but takes us on a fresh and contemporary tour of a region so often divided by politics, religion and war. Whilst his own politics are obvious they are not imposed upon the reader and he presents a somewhat balanced view of all arguments in the conflicts.
However it must be noted that this is also a travlogue and Black often takes us off the beaten path to some of the gems and treasures hidden in deserts, moutains, chasms and alleyways. His desriptions of people places and events are so realistic that you can actually taste the hummous.
Rating:
Summary: You Can Taste the Hummous
Review: I have to be honest and say I suspect that "Ben Black" is not a first time writer but a more experienced and established name who for some reason is writing under a pseudonym. Why do I say this? Because it is rare enough to come across such a well-writen, insightful, humurous & ultimately human account of a journey in one of the world's most turbulent regions - let alone from somone with no experience of writing.Having spent many separate months and years in the Middle East (many during the same periods as Black was there), I can honestly say that he has managed somehow to capture the feel and spirit of much of the region and peoples, and bottled it up in this gem of a book. This should be required reading for anyone thinking of spending any time in or around Israel, and is particularly poignant in the current climate. I can't reccomend it enough. Come on "Ben", who are you really, and when is your next book coming out?
Rating: 
Summary: Not so bad. . .not so good.
Review: I read this book in two sittings. Given current events, I was more motivated than I would have been otherwise. As I write this review, I'm conflicted because I was nauseated by the author's obviously convenient morality while enjoying his depictions of his time in Israel. If you just can't be bothered by your responsibilities to society, I can understand how fashionable it would be to present yourself as a secular, conscientious objector. In the final epilogue, Mr. Black attempts to reconcile his behavior vis a vis Israel's social contract. I would've been more sympathethic if his rationalizations appeared more honest or if he wasn't a well-educated, well-traveled male, who should, by age 27, the speed at which 3 years passes. However, having read the previous chapters, it felt more like he, like the trust-funded, party boy who resists joining the family business, just couldn't be bothered with his part of the bargain. As I finish this paragraph, I wonder if my Jewish college friends would've dismissively labelled him with that nebulous Yiddish insult--nebbish. Now with that largely feel-good rant complete, in the main, I enjoyed "meeting" the people he described to us (my personal favorite was the lady making that godawful stuff Turks call coffee). Furthermore, I especially enjoyed the section detailing the sport of Israeli politics during elections as well as the sections on life in the kibbutz. Finally, I got fine laughs out of his interactions with the driver's license examiner and the deferment board. Bottom line: I enjoyed the book and the author writes well, but found his character unimpressive by the end of the book
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent material, well-written, and extremely useful !
Review: This book constitutes an extremely useful tool and pleasant reading, for those interested in Israeli and Middle East politics and society, as well as travelers to the region (especially during this turbulent time). It is excellent to have a view from the author about the current Middle East crisis. While clearly standing on one side rather than the other, the author remains extremely objective and without any bias, in examining the causes and perspectives of the present Middle East crisis - a topic he clearly feels very strongly about. The book is extremely well-written, ensuring pleasant and captivating reading for all. Likewise, it contains extremely useful and up-to-date information, which will be of immense value for the traveler. It is a book any traveler, especially if interested in politics and society, should take with herself / himself before leaving for the region.
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