Mission Al-Jazeera: Build a Bridge, Seek the Truth, Change the World Book

The reason I like this book is that it helped me negate the irrational fear that Arabic-anything brings. I bring to this book a vague memory of discussions made in Comparative Politics about the history of the Middle East, and, I suppose, leftover apprehension from studying terrorism (the Cheka immediately springs to mind but too much remaining fear prevents me from prying deeper - it's an extremely troublesome subject! Maybe don't follow - I understand the Cheka and its successor agency, the KGB, are Russian, not Arabic, but the terrorism it's brought is what I recall to process my understanding of this book).

The other interesting thing about this book is that the author J. Rushing, an Al-Jazeera English editor (or maybe something else associated with the organisation), is an ex-Marine, so reading his words excavated my fears regarding the US armed forces, as well. I don't have a problem with war as much as the terrifying recruiters who patrol campus every once in a while. I have never had a positive experience interacting with one of those.
J. Rushing helped show that not everyone associated with the USAF is a horrifying person, which is what I've concluded for years. For this reason, I like his book.

So in conclusion, I am glad to have read this memoir, to get a fresh look at what has upset me for semesters. I mean, fear has shaped many of my actions, and this book helped me examine what exactly bothers me so much.
Maybe some day I'll gather enough courage to finish watching Control Room...