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9781403979056

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From gyrene to jihadi journalist--it's not the usual American career trajectory. . . . Rushing is still trying to explain America to the Arab world and vice versa, and his vignettes clearly reveal what a tough job that is. A long list of people won't like this book, from George Bush to Gary Busey. Gary Busey? Yes--and that's just one instance of culture clash. -- Kirkus       A useful, informative effort to offer a different perspective on the cultural divide between Americans and Arabs. --Jay Freeman, Booklist   Rushing has created an interesting . . . earnest, narrative. --Dave Shifflet, Bloomberg.com  [Rushing's] modest proposal is worth hearing. --Cameron Scott, Mother Jones    Rushing argues that what matters is for news consumers to arise from 'fearful passivity.' Only wide listening and reading, he writes, can grant independence of mind. - Mary H. Meier, The Boston Globe   Civilization's struggle with terro

From gyrene to jihadi journalist - it's not the usual American career trajectory.Those who have seen the remarkable documentary Control Room will recall debut author Rushing as the Marine public-affairs officer doubtfully interpreting the American invasion of Iraq for a doubtful press corps. Located behind the lines in Qatar, Rushing found some of the most interesting and confounding questions coming from the journalists of Al Jazeera, the Arabic-language news network headquartered there. Al Jazeera was a hostile network, and its portrayal of the U.S.'s actions frustrated my superiors, he recalls. Against that official line, he advanced the argument that progressive Arab journalists might be able to explain the U.S. version of things to the Arab world; for so doing, he was all but accused of treason. Thoroughly disillusioned by events in Iraq, Rushing was put back on his soft beat working as a liaison with Hollywood. But there he got himself in still further trouble by making public comments about Control Room that took him outside his lane, as the Marines say. His bosses accused him of vying for 15 minutes of fame. He left the Corps and was preparing to take a job in PR in Texas when the programming director of the new Al Jazeera English station, headquartered in D.C., called to offer him a job - whereupon, well, his difficulties truly begin, not least with the FBI. Rushing and as-told-to partner Elder turn in an earnest but often plodding narrative, but this story tells itself: Rushing is still trying to explain America to the Arab world and vice versa, and his vignettes clearly reveal what a tough job that is.A long list of people won't like this book, from George Bush to Gary Busey. Gary Busey? Yes - and that's just one instance of culture clash. (Kirkus Reviews)

From gyrene to jihadi journalist--it's not the usual American career trajectory. . . . Rushing is still trying to explain America to the Arab world and vice versa, and his vignettes clearly reveal what a tough job that is. A long list of people won't like this book, from George Bush to Gary Busey. Gary Busey? Yes--and that's just one instance of culture clash. -- Kirkus A useful, informative effort to offer a different perspective on the cultural divide between Americans and Arabs. --Jay Freeman, Booklist Rushing has created an interesting . . . earnest, narrative. --Dave Shifflet, Bloomberg.com [Rushing's] modest proposal is worth hearing. --Cameron Scott, Mother Jones Rushing argues that what matters is for news consumers to arise from 'fearful passivity.' Only wide listening and reading, he writes, can grant independence of mind. - Mary H. Meier, The Boston Globe Civilization's struggle with terrorists is not primarily a struggle of bombs, bullets and bayonets but a struggle of ideas. Al Jazeera English is one of the most effective ways to expose and examine these ideas. If you want to know why and how, read this book. --Lawrence Wilkerson, Chief of Staff to U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, 2002-2005 A captivating and unique insider's account of one American soldier's experience in Iraq, and how that led to his involvement with a critical element of the war: the rise of Al Jazeera and the development of Arab media. This is a strong wake up call to the West that not only exposes the conditions that have lead to our deteriorating relations with the Arab world but provides a brave way forward. It's time to listen to Josh Rushing. --Michael Wolff, Columnist, Vanity Fair Josh Rushing is a precious national resource -- and a global voice for understanding instead of polarizing. His unique story gives reason for hope that human bonds are stronger than rigid propaganda. At a time when easy cliches are drowning us in media sewage and boosting daily carnage, Rushing offers a perspective that could lead us to high moral ground and true international security. He lays bare the mental gymnastics and moral compromises that substituted PR flackery for integrity on the road to war in Iraq. And he symbolizes the fact that honesty and compassion are imperatives for human survival on this planet. Instead of pursuing a career as a Pentagon spokesman, Josh Rushing has opted to seek and speak truth. The world will benefit. --Norman Solomon, author of War Made Easy: How Presidents and Pundits Keep Spinning Us to Death A lot of people are ill-informed and scared about what they believe is a clash of civilizations. Rushing is one of few American patriots who are willing to challenge the misinformation about the Arab world's relationship with America. In this book, Rushing delivers a candid and honest American's perspective on what is true and what is not. His willingness to tell the truth and challenge political agendas is a smart and brave effort to educate both sides. This is essential reading for people who want the real, gritty picture of what is going on between the Arab and Muslim world and the USA. --Riz Khan Some people will try and ignore Josh Rushing's message, but his story is too extraordinary to be dismissed. Understanding his message requires strength and moral courage. I have rarely been as impressed with another human being as I am withhim. --Richard Dreyfuss It's too bad for the Marines [that Rushing is] moving on. He convinced a lot of skeptical people in the Arab press that there are those in the U.S. military coming from the right place. --Jehane Noujaim, Director, Control Room A bracingly candid account of his [Rushing's] growing disillusionment with the war on terror. --Rebecca Sinderbrand, New York Observer Of the many accounts about those who have shifted gears, switched uniforms or crossed the divide between one camp and the other, few have been as intriguing or captivating as that of a young Marine Captain-turned-Al-Jazeera journalist--Josh Rushing. -- The Ambassadors an entertaining and unique account of Al Jazeera International by an insider who arrived at the TV channel from an unlikely background. --Roy Greenslade With America losing the information and public relations war around the world today, Mission al-Jazeera is a fascinating and timely book that should be required reading by the many Administration Public Affairs and press secretary's. --Andrew Lubin, Reviewer's Bookwatch An eye-opener for readers....reads quickly and clearly. -- The National Catholic Weekly revelatory and insightful - Choice

Author Information

JOSH RUSHING is a correspondent for Al-Jazeera International and a military analyst. He was a US Marine Corps media liaison for fourteen years.

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