Tea with Hezbollah: Sitting at the Enemies' Table, Our Journey Through the Middle East

"Tea with Hezbollah" is not a novel, rather it is, what the authors call, a nonfiction travelogue . Over lunch at the Hard Rock café in Denver, Ted and Carl ponder whether, since Muslims accept Jesus as the greatest prophet, is the message of Jesus taken seriously by our "enemies" in the Middle East. They cautiously decide to try to interview key people in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Lebanon, and Israel, to discuss the question. Strictly as a travelogue, Tea with Hezbollah is truly outstanding. The authors carefully describe the lands they visit and even insert meaningful historical commentary to enhance the content. The picture of Cairo and its people is especially noteworthy. Ted and Carl paint a picture of the Egyptian people, especially the great masses who live in poverty, that is alive and real. After reading about these people, I could see them, chat with them, and bargain for their wares. The author's description of the country is chromatic. After reading the book, it is as if I actually visited these lands. I have often thought of Israel as the "land of milk and honey", but never imagined its beauty or its danger. Their quest is to answer whether the teaching of Jesus to love thy neighbor as yourself and love your enemies is actually lived or believed by the peoples we see as "enemies". They seek answers among Muslin people - especially Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Palestine. They visit several of the most infamous people extant. Ted and Carl receive blunt and open answers to the questions they ask. The book includes a transcript of each conversation. The answers and discussion is fascinating, enlightening, and troubling. Who among the people who claim to be followers of Islam really practice the demands of both Jesus and Mohammad to love everyone? Being honest, who among Jews practice the demands of the prophets to love each other? And who among Christians follow this rule of Jesus? Tea With Hezbollah is an excellent book. It is very well written and presented in a conversational style. I highly recommend this book.

Having read my fair share of fiction books, to include many of Ted Dekker's books, I was curious as to how a non-fiction book would be by this acclaimed author. The Dekker/Medearis book reads very smoothly, like a diary of their journey, brimming with their thoughts, emotions, and enough of a history lesson to keep you well informed. Each chapter leaves you wanting the next and the next, until you unlock every secret with them. They also weave a sub-story into their own, switching seamlessly from Nicole's story to their own ever-changing adventure. I found their account to be very enjoyable while also informational. What an amazing account of their journey. The insight into Dekker's mind throughout the trip made me feel as if I was there with them in the Middle East. I will not spoil any part of the story, but Dekker and Medearis have brought extremely unique interactions with top Muslim leaders, militant members, and even the cab drivers they meet to the general public. My own studies of the Middle East had given me some background knowledge to the cultural and political landscape of this book; but the authors explain exactly what information the reader needs to understand the story; and to paraphrase something Dekker says throughout the story, he did not take this journey or write this book to uncover some lost piece of history nor to rehash what other authors of Middle East culture and history have already written about. All in all, I highly recommend this book for everyone... literally everyone. It would do us all good to understand the viewpoint from those living in the Middle East, and Tea with Hezbollah is a good beginning on a journey of knowledge and understanding. This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies. - Jesus of Nazareth In the West everyone speaks about love, love, we all gotta love, but when it comes to showing the kind of love that got the prophet killed, few seem much interested. - Ted Dekker Let me set the scene for you if I may. The elevator takes you quietly to your floor. Your mind still reels as you consider that the city you are in is not a warzone now, but could be at any minute. You're taken to a room where you will meet with the second-in-command of a political organization recognized by the United States as a terrorist organization. Tea is brought before you. You've come to talk about the ethic of Love, and the prophet of Love who died for His message. But you can't help but be nervous. After all, it is not often one has Tea With Hezbollah. Join New York Times bestselling author Ted Dekker and Middle East relations expert Carl Medearis as they chronicle their journey through the Middle East on a quest to ask our perceived enemies some personal questions. What makes you laugh? When did you cry last? What do you think about Jesus' statement that one should love his enemies? From a taxi driver to the Hezbollah to a couple of Osama Bin Laden's brothers, Dekker and Medearis strip away the stereotype of the nameless, faceless identity all too easily called an enemy to reveal real people who laugh and cry, have hopes and dreams, and tuck their children into bed at night. With transcripts taken directly from Dekker's tape recorder, Tea With Hezbollah recounts word for word their interviews with figures nearly impossible to interview. And what they have to say will surprise you. This is a groundbreaking book that explores the issues in the Middle East with a unique take that could not have been conceived, let alone achieved, by any others. Hearts and minds will be changed as through the story, the point is made very clear. When it comes to loving one's enemy, nobody does it awfully well, be they Christians, Jews, or Muslims. To really love one's enemy we have to understand their perspective, think from their view, and walk in their shoes...We must make ourselves more like Jesus, who not only preached a gospel of Love, but while we were yet his enemies, loved us enough to die in order to save us. Tea With Hezbollah, is, in two words, absolutely outstanding. I have no doubts that many will hate this book because of the message it is trying to share. Love terrorists? But the message doesn't come from these two authors. They've just picked up on it from the one named Jesus. I could go on about the concepts discussed in this book for a long time. Theme aside, Dekker's writing in top-notch and the book is infused with a parable that drives the point straight home. There are many tidbits that I would love to share, but I shall leave that for you, the reader, to discover on your own. If you'd like to know more about Tea With Hezbolla

Tea With Hezbollah: Sitting at The Enemies' Table, Our Journey Through The Middle East by Ted Dekker and Carl Medearis is by far one of the best books I have ever read. The authors take the reader on a thrilling real life adventure through the Middle East to have tea and discuss what it means to love your neighbor with many of America's greatest assumed enemies. This book is full of eye-opening encounters that show a softer side of the Middle East not often portrayed in the West. The interviews and introspection provided in this book are key in understanding the life experiences and mindset of those who live in the Middle East. The book is faithful to seek varied perspectives along the way. The insight gained from this book is key and has helped me personally understand and gain an interest in Middle Eastern affairs. I would highly recommend this book to anyone even remotely interested in Middle Eastern issues. This is a very timely and well written book that engages the reader every step of the way. Tea With Hezbollah is a must read for 2010.