Beyond the Green Line: A British volunteer in the IDF during the al Aqsa Intifada

This is an honest, authentic memoir that doesn't spare anyone. A soldier comes to grips with "warfare" between grossly asymmetric realities. The disconnect between "grunts" and "leaders" is clearly delineated, and a whole new light is shone on PTSD.The writing is polished enough to be extremely readable, but it is far from slick. The faithful reader is rewarded with an engaging story about an extremely unusual army, tactics, and conflict. Your own ethics will be up for re-examination after you read this excellent book.

It was a wonderful surprise to visualize how an Israeli soldier feels, and to be so close to what a soldier experiences in enemy territory. That is what Marc conveyed throughout his new memoir, Beyond the Green Line. In this new book the author documents military life for the Israel Defence Force military units during the Al Aqsa intifada.Marc begins with his thoughts and dreams as a teen; those thoughts take him from a stable, middle-class Jewish family life towards the aggressive unknown of Palestinian and Israeli offensive missions. His goal – and that of his superiors – is to try and reduce the loss of civilian lives in Israel, and throughout the Middle East.Marc recounts his stories in a dramatic and eerie fashion that provide you with a good insight into his personal complex thoughts about the conflict – that shift as he matures throughout his journey.And by the end of the story, you may be left re-thinking your views on the Mid-East conflicts, recognizing that Marc has opened your eyes a little bit wider.Beyond the Green Line is a great read by an accomplished young man, whom I wish all the best of luck in the future.

"Beyond the Green Line" by Marc Goldberg (Sept. 2017), paperback, 200 pp. This is a brief autobiography of a 22-year-old British citizen, who, after a young life of feeling like being treated as a second-class Jewish citizen in London, decided in early 2002 to move to Israel for the express purpose of joining the Israeli army for two years.  Having strong Jewish pride, the author, dreaming of becoming a paratrooper, a general, and a war hero in the Israeli army, recounts how after undergoing basic army training, decided he would rather immediately begin engaging in various military patrols inside the Palestinian West Bank, rather than seeking officer-school training [all of this accounted for about 40% of the book].  He served on various search-for-the-terrorist raids, and he details his experiences in maneuvering along narrow, twisting allys in old villages which gave jihadis easy escape routes.However, as he noted in his forward: "In places I have collapsed the events of several different operations into one operation for brevity and narrative purposes."  Hence, this book really isn't a historically accurate account of Israeli military ops, but more of a collage collection of consolidated foot-patrols where something of military-interest activity occurred.  The author initially thought that, as a Jew, he was going to Israel to defend the Jewish homeland from terrorist attacks.  However, after humping around the hills and dales of the West Bank, he developed a "What's the purpose of this patrol?" attitude as Palestinian kids constantly pelted his vehicle with rocks, and started taking drugs.  He soon left the military, and returned to London, where he tried to figure out the purpose of his seemingly squandered life.  After some mental counseling, he returned to Israel in 2010.The author doesn't analyze the Palestinian-Israel conflict, he doesn't analyze the motivations of the jihadi Islamikazes, he doesn't ponder Israeli politics -- this book seems to be more of a post-PTSD, self-help book in analyzing why he became disillusioned with his army service, and then revealing his redemption efforts in overcoming his drug addiction to start a family.This is an easy read book about a Jewish teen who lost his enthusiasm for war, but renewed his determination in trying to find some redemption by living in and supporting Israel.

Good read. I especially appreciated the author's honest approach. He never makes himself out to be a super hero. Like most just a soldier trying to makes sense out of something that will never make sense....war.

Interesting and very personal read of the Israeli side of the ongoing struggle in the occupied territories.

this is a very good book. you'll be very surprised to read what happens before, during and after Marc is in combat. it is cinematic.

Thoughly enjoyed this book very interedting

I liked the flow of the narrative and found the soul-searching of the author fairly believable, albeit a but repetitive.

This is an extremely honest account by a British Jewish guy who was accepted into an elite Israeli combat unit. He wasn't caught up in conventional warfare, but instead carried out operational duties in the West Bank, for example, arresting suicide bombers before they set out on their missions. The adrenaline, camaraderie and sense of meaning from carrying out potentially life-saving activities left a profound mark. When he left the IDF and returned to London he experienced flashbacks and a deep malaise, which were sort of 'withdrawal symptoms' that left him in a bad state. Fortunately he's since turned his life around. He's painfully honest about his own shortcomings at the time - a regular tendency to drink too much when on leave or after the army when he was back in London. Also, he didn't make much effort to learn the Hebrew language before enlisting, which in my view was a seriously dumb mistake. Nonetheless, it's a good book with valuable insights, so I recommend it.

Wow what an insightful look into the mind of a British bourn Jew who joins Israel's Defence Force. Full of very frank thoughts and observations a classic true story with a start, middle and end that I just could not stop reading. Marc has found another talent that of great story telling, lets hope this is not his first and only book!

When a friend you've known for over 35 years tells you they've finally finished writing their book about being a soldier, you don't grab it with both hands without whispering a little prayer that you really hope it's good. There is a god! The book is fanbloodytastic Goldberg! I couldn't put it down and I didn't want it to end. I loved every line of every paragraph of every chapter!For those thinking I'm biased, maybe I am but you read it and tell me I'm wrong! A provocative, honest and dare I say it funny recount of a man living his dream of becoming a soldier, only for it to turn in to a nightmare.This book may bring about World Peace, it may solve Global Terrorism, one thing I know for sure, it will make you appreciate the work soldiers do and make you realise there's more going on under their red berets or combat helmets than you think.I can't wait for the film!

Marc Goldberg's nickname is Brity, a young Zionist with crude Hebrew. He arrives in Israel while Palestinians were blowing themselves up in Israel - taking hundreds of Israelis with them - with dreams of becoming a general in the IDF. Like Matti Friedman's 'Pumpkin Flowers', this book is about the demise of conventional warfare. The gruelling training Goldberg undergoes in an elite combat unit fails to prepare him for the frustrating reality. No longer are soldiers expected to jump out of planes and meet their match on the battlefield. The enemy is a suicide bomber to be ferreted out of a rubbish-strewn West Bank town. Or it could just be a five-year old stone-thrower. Yet, away from the army, Goldberg is miserable, retreating into drink- and drugs-fuelled isolation. Thankfully he pulls himself together by the end of the book. Beautifully observed, this is an honest and rare account of the Al- Aksa intifada in English.

Beyond the Green Line has all the hallmarks of a classic. Honest and brutal, this account brings to life the existence of a modern combat soldier; discomfort, boredom, frustration, occasional excitement and eventual disillusionment.