Wednesday, 18 November 2009
A Gaza book, regarded as a ‘people’s history of Gaza’ which has won many endorsements prior to its release, will be marketed in the US as a ‘trade title’, publisher and author said.
My Father Was a Freedom Fighter: Gaza’s Untold Story is regarded as a unique take on the history of the Gaza Strip, leading to the most recent violence carried out against the impoverished region during Israel’s ‘Cast Lead’ onslaught, which killed and wounded thousands.
The book, published by the well-regarded London-based Pluto Press, will also be distributed in the United States by Palgrave Macmillan, which decided to promote the book as a ‘trade title.”
“A Trade book is designed for a wider market of readers,” said Dr. Roger van Zwanenberg, Chair and Commissioning Editor of Pluto Press. He indicated that the book will be available at a cheaper price and therefore would be distributed in a larger market base throughout the US and the world.
My Father was a Freedom Fighter, written by a Gaza born and raised, Palestinian-US author Ramzy Baroud, “is one of these books that show how people can resist great odds. Everyone likes heroes, and when a man or woman stands up to oppression to fight for what they know is right and just, it helps every one else. When people feel the situation is hopeless, and someone they know refuses to bow to the jack boot of oppression, everyone is rejuvenated. My Father was a Freedom Fighter is one of those books,” Dr. Zwanenberg told the Palestine Chronicle.
He added, Gaza’s Untold Story is “beautifully written, and the Gaza situation may seem hopeless to people on the ground. If this book rejuvenates hope in just one person it will have achieved it objects. We at Pluto are proud to have authors like Baroud.”
Among many pre-release reviews, including endorsements by top academicians, journalists and human rights activists, John Pilger, award-winning journalist and documentary filmmaker, described Gaza’s Untold Story as “a very fine book: both a loving tribute to the author's father and the struggle and pain of Palestine seen through the witness and insights of two generations. Together, they beckon freedom.”
Baroud, the author, said he was happy with the news that his book will be marketed to a much larger audience. “This comes only days after a decision to move forward the date of publication from March to December, to coincide with the first anniversary of the Israeli war on Gaza,” he said. “I am pleased that the book is already getting much attention, but the Gaza story deserves much more. I am just happy to do my part,” he added.
Baroud called on readers, civil society activists and media everywhere to help out in “making sure that the Gaza story is told and remembered.”
The book is scheduled for release next month, and readers are encouraged to preorder to ensure that enough books are published in the first edition.
