To understand a conflict, you need to visit both sides. When the conflict started between Israel and Palestine, I knew I wanted to learn everything I could find. During my research, I stumbled on one named Tom Hurndall, a photographer who had been killed in the conflict.
Reading about this man made me write an article about him and his accomplishments. I discovered he had a book with his journal and photography during this research.
After a long search, I found it and purchased this amazing book.
Synopsis
The Only House Left Standing is the true story of Tom Hurndall, a British peace activist who tragically lost his life while advocating for justice in the Gaza Strip.
The book delves into Tom's journey from a promising young man to a passionate advocate for human rights through his experiences witnessing the plight of Iraq and Palestinian civilians. This is done through his photos, journal entries, emails and even poems.
Throughout the book, set over a short period, you see Tom grow. He shows his anger at the helplessness he feels as well as at the system and politicians that have forced innocent people to be in these horrific circumstances.
His unwavering commitment leads to a fateful encounter where he is shot in the head by an Israeli sniper while attempting to rescue Palestinian children from danger. The Only House Left Standing captures the courage, compassion, and sacrifice of one individual determined to make a difference.
Impressions
This is such a hard book to write my impressions for. Because the book has so many layers, it is not primarily about Palestine but also the Iraq war.
Tom is a journalist whom media bosses do not constrain so that he can speak his truth. Throughout the book, you see a young man start his journey, become disillusioned with the system and even depressed by his surroundings.
At the start of the book, Tom questions what he wants from life. It is a question we all have had at one time, yet many of us may not have been brave enough to travel the path he did. By the end of the book, you can only hope he did get some answers to this question before his life was cut short.
The book is titled After the Last House, left standing when the Israeli fire destroyed all the others on the road. This was the same house that Rachel Corrie lost her life defending. It was the house of Dr Samir and his children, and I was left with the thought that the whole family may have since passed away with the renewed conflict.
This book is a tribute to all those affected by these wars. This stunning book shows that Tom Hurndall was a remarkable young man, journalist, photographer, and poet. It is a tribute to him, and I urge everyone to try to find a copy.
Two-Sentence Summary
It is a book I will visit many times as it has completely changed my life. Everyone should look at these images and hear the words of this brave hero.
Strange, isn't it, that no matter what the hardship children suffer in London, it will never compare with what is experienced in Baghdad, Cairo or Amman. And yet, still, I feel much less safe on the streets around Holloway or Kilburn than anywhere in the Middle East. It shows that envy is in man's nature no matter what people have. That and the arrogance of the West, where people want more and believe they deserve it.