Dreamvisions 7 Radio Network and Deborah Beauvais welcome Brian K. Barber a non-resident senior scholar at the Middle East Policy Council, a senior fellow at the Institute for Palestine Studies, and professor emeritus at the University of Tennessee. We’ll be talking about his new book No Way but Forward: Life Stories of Three Families in the Gaza Strip Tuesday September 8th Live at 6pmET on syndicated D7RN. LISTEN LIVE Get our Apps. Other broadcasts September 17th & 18th at 6am /6pmET
Talk Live/Ask a question during the Show call 1-833-220-1200 Deborah and Brian
No Way but Forward: Life Stories of Three Families in the Gaza Strip, author Brian K. Barber
Understanding the human impact of the Israeli-Palestinian situation through personal stories, offering a vital and much-needed perspective for academics, NGOs, policymakers, and human rights advocates
Brian Barber’s tender witnessing of these extraordinary lives provides a window into a world of suffering and survival that few of us would have the privilege to know without his dedication and profound service to these friendships.”
ELIZA T. GRISWOLD, Pulitzer Prize Winning Author and Poet
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Survival, Resilience, and Hope: Life Stories from the Gaza Strip
Brian K. Barber, a finalist for the IAN Book Awards of the Year, presents No Way but Forward: Life Stories of Three Families in the Gaza Strip. It is an extraordinary memoir that offers an in-depth look at the personal experiences of three Palestinian families living under the crushing weight of occupation and conflict.
A Raw and Personal Account of Life Under Siege
For over three decades, Barber has had an intimate connection with Hammam, Hussam, and Khalil, the three central figures of the book. Through their stories, readers get a glimpse into the realities of life under the Israeli occupation of Gaza. The book explores themes of political violence, family survival, and personal hope in the face of constant adversity.
Gaza: A Place of Conflict, Yet Hope and Family Endure
The heart of No Way but Forward lies in its portrayal of Palestinian resilience. The stories of Hammam, Hussam, and Khalil are a testament to the unbreakable ties of family and the enduring power of hope. As the occupation continues and violence becomes a part of daily life, these families hold tight to their dignity and dreams. Their narratives include the universal themes of war, resistance, and family life, resilience stories, and inspirational war stories that resonate far beyond Gaza.
The Aftermath of October 7th, 2023: A New Chapter in Survival
The final chapters of No Way but Forward are particularly poignant, recounting the aftermath of the devastating events of October 7th, 2023. These heart-wrenching passages provide a glimpse into the ongoing struggles for survival amid war, revealing the strength of the human spirit as families continue to endure and rebuild.
Why This Book Is a Must-Read?
- Follow the compelling three-decade journey of Hammam, Hussam, and Khalil as they navigate life under occupation and become community leaders.
- Appreciate the visual and narrative excellence, highlighted by the 2025 International Book Award for Best Cover Design and its powerful symbolism of resilience.
- Benefit from the author’s extensive credibility as a renowned psychologist and researcher with over 30 years of immersive work in Gaza, supported by his acclaimed studies and prior publications in conflict psychology.
- Understand the human impact of the Israeli-Palestinian situation through personal stories, offering a vital and much-needed perspective for academics, NGOs, policymakers, and human rights advocates
Bio: BRIAN K. BARBER, PhD, is a non-resident senior scholar at the Middle East Policy Council, a senior fellow at the Institute for Palestine Studies, and professor emeritus at the University of Tennessee. He currently lives in Washington, DC. Barber’s work has addressed how context—from parenting to political systems—impacts individual and social development. Barber is the editor of Adolescents and War: How Youth Deal with Political Conflict (Oxford University Press, 2008), among other books. For the past thirty years, he has researched more than ten thousand Palestinian families in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip. His published articles have appeared in The Lancet, Social Science & Medicine, Global Public Health, PLOS ONE, Child Development, the Journal of Adolescent Research, and other journals. Barber’s commentaries have appeared in Haaretz, CNN.com, Informed Comment, Counterpunch, and Middle East Policy. His most recent book is No Way but Forward: Life Stories of Three Families in the Gaza Strip. https://bkbarber.com/
