Book Description

Jonathan Geller, an ambitious young academic, is struggling to build a new life for himself in the US. An American born Jew who had immigrated to Israel with his family as a child, Geller fled the Jewish State after a deadly incident that occurred during his service in the Israeli army. Ten years into his self imposed exile, Geller's younger brother is killed in the line of duty, so he reluctantly returns to Israel to attend the funeral. Once back, Geller is forced to confront his broken family and a life and country he thought he had left behind for good. Colored by his own military experiences, he begins to question the circumstances of his brother's death. Aided by a mysterious source, a childhood friend, an old flame, and his brother's girlfriend, a fiery young redhead, he slowly uncovers the truth - a path that embroils him in a deadly clandestine chess game between two opposing forces - each fighting for what they believe is the very soul of the Jewish state. A fast-paced, character-driven thriller, A House Divided provides an authentic, first-hand look into Israeli society and its legendary military. Unlike many other books in this genre, which have focused on the Arab-Israeli conflict, this work examines the long-term effects of almost one hundred years of conflict on a nation deeply divided on how best to define its future. It also explores how a wounded family, whose bonds have been weakened by distance and time, copes with adversity and loss. Hadassah Magazine: "Friedland has written a good story that shows an intimate knowledge of the military, the landscape of Israel and the effect of the ongoing conflict on the country's citizens."