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Masa: Stories of a Lone Soldier Paperback – December 6, 2012
by Ilan Benjamin (Author)
3.7 3.7 out of 5 stars 9 ratings
One morning, an ordinary American teenager woke up, reported to induction offices and enlisted in the Israel Defense Forces. A month later, he stood in the middle of the Negev Desert in an olive green uniform with a vest upon his shoulders and a rifle strapped to his chest. He now had a stake in the most ancient war ever waged. But for all its significance, he found himself as no more than a foot soldier caught between politics and the realities of the front line. Without family, without a childhood home, he was called “Lone Soldier”. These are his stories.
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Print length
220 pages
December 6, 2012
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Ilan Benjamin was born in Oakland, California and then again in Tel Aviv, Israel. Both countries are home to him. He served in a combat unit in the Israel Defense Forces from November 2009 to May 2012. His first book, Masa: Stories of a Lone Soldier chronicles his stories and experiences. He currently studies Screen Writing at the University of Southern California.
Product details
Publisher : Meises Books (December 6, 2012)
Language : English
Paperback : 220 pages
ISBN-10 : 0988435500
ISBN-13 : 978-0988435506
Item Weight : 11.5 ounces
Dimensions : 6 x 0.56 x 9 inchesBest Sellers Rank: #4,273,054 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)#27,043 in War Fiction (Books)Customer Reviews:
3.7 3.7 out of 5 stars 9 ratings
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Top reviews
Top reviews from the United States
Shiralub
5.0 out of 5 stars Riveting Stories!Reviewed in the United States on November 27, 2019
A must-read for anyone interested in a nuanced depiction of what it's like to be a lone soldier in the IDF.
3 people found this helpful
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MB
4.0 out of 5 stars Collection of short storiesReviewed in the United States on January 23, 2013
Verified Purchase
Not what I expected but I found myself being drawn into these stories was a good read none the less
One person found this helpful
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Will
5.0 out of 5 stars Great FindReviewed in the United States on February 20, 2013
When I began Masa, I expected to follow the journey of an Israeli soldier as he endured the labors of his service. What surprised me, albeit pleasantly, was that I also got to follow Benjamin's journey as a writer. The first stories are entertaining word-for-word retellings of "fictional" events, but simple in purpose. As the book progresses, and Benjamin transitions from kibbutz life to deployment, his tales become more abstract and thought provoking.
In the book's second half, his characters grapple with issues of faith, maturation, and politics. What is more, Benjamin never offers a solution, leaving the reader to pass judgment on the characters and their actions. I found this refreshing, and I think it also reflects Benjamin's own uncertainties about what he has experienced. But despite the book's serious attributes, Benjamin includes an equal share of uplifting and chuckle-worthy material. Specifically, the frustrations of the character Yoav reminded me that life is absurd, and sometimes all you can do is laugh.
In short, Masa is a glimpse into the mind of a young man who has lived disparate lives: one of privilege and security, the other of thrall and hazard. This book is a captivating experiment to reconcile the two. I highly recommend it.
3 people found this helpful
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Ja'Michael
5.0 out of 5 stars This book will rock your banana-sling off!!!Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2013
First, Let me ask you 3 questions:
Do you want your world rocked by a single book?
Do you want to be able to feel as though you are part of the story?
Do you want to finish a book and be like "hot-damn! when is the sequel?"
If you answered "Yes" to any of these questions than this book is perfect for you. No matter if you are a gun-loving warhawk or a hippy POS, this book will literally bring you right in the middle of what it's like to be a soldier in the Israeli military. Masa takes the reader through the journey, beginning to end, of indoctrination to life after for an American joining the IDF.
Yes the book is fiction, but guess what, did you know the word non-fiction has "fiction" in it? So this basically could be classified as a true story. Plus I heard lots of famous people have read this too.
Buy this ASAP. A Must Read.
3 people found this helpful
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Amy Suto, Freelance Writer
5.0 out of 5 stars A Must-ReadReviewed in the United States on December 24, 2012
Buy this book! It's worthy every penny of your money. Ilan Benjamin is a talented writer, and his debut book does not disappoint.
8 people found this helpful
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Ian.
5.0 out of 5 stars Five StarsReviewed in the United Kingdom on October 25, 2017
Verified Purchase
Great book, well written
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