You Cant Hide the Sun

Transported as a young boy by his father's tales of Palestine, John McCarthy has always been drawn to the mystique of the Middle East. Remarkably, his first-hand experience of its brutal conflicts he was kidnapped and held hostage in the Lebanon for five years only strengthened his determination to return and explore its myriad complexities. In the years since his ordeal, McCarthy travelled through Israel and East Jerusalem, from the shores of the Mediterranean to the Bedouin encampments of the Negev desert. His intensely moving encounters with the inhabitants of this beautiful but tormented region reveal the continuing tragedy of the Palestinians who remained in Israel after its formation in 1948 and who still dare to think of it as home. You Can't Hide the Sun weaves their vivid testimonies with McCarthy's own experience of living under constant threat. And in doing so it asks- how can humanity endure in the face of unimaginable oppression, and how can any of us thrive without a place of safety?

About the Author :
As a journalist in television news John McCarthy was sent on his first foreign assignment to Beirut in 1986 aged twenty-nine. His career was abruptly cut short by militiamen who kidnapped and held him captive for five and a half years. Since his release he has written four books prior to this one - Some Other Rainbow (with Jill Morrell), about his hostage years, Island Race (with Sandi Toksvig), an account of their circumnavigation of Britain, Between Extremes (with Brian Keenan), a journey through Chile and his latest, A Ghost Upon Your Path. He continues to work in both radio and television.

Review :
A powerful account of the Palestinians of Israeli citizenship as told in their own words. Eloquent and moving, this book is essential reading to understand the full complexity of Palestinian-Israeli relations. Eugene Rogan, Author of The Arabs: A History John McCarthy takes us on an unforgettable journey through a tumultuous and complex landscape. His passion and humanity are all the more remarkable in the context of his own brutal experience of the dark side of its political context. Tom Bradby, Political Editor, ITV News From a man who knows much about human spirit's refusal to be cowed comes a beautifully written, compassionate and insightful account of Israel's non-Jewish population. You Can't Hide The Sun does not just champion a people too long bullied, marginalised and ignored - it drives home that without heeding their voice no long term solution of Israel-Palestine is possible. Tim Butcher, author of Blood River John McCarthy's excellent book focuses in on Palestinian citizens of Israel, who sometimes get ignored as a complexity too far. McCarthy doesn't hide his sympathy for the human beings who have been battered by Middle East conflict. Perhaps that's because he was caught up in it too when he was held hostage in Lebanon for more than five years between 1986 and 1991. Like Palestinians, and Jews, he longed for the sanctuary of home. McCarthy made it home. But in his journey through Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories he finds Palestinians who are still waiting, hoping and struggling for their homes more than 60 years after Israel was created. Fascinating and timely, and written with the charm of a man who's still determined to explore the tempestuous region that for five years was just a dream on the other side of his locked cell door. Jeremy Bowen