Hamza Abu Howidy tells us about growing up in Gaza in the2000s, about his family – particularly his father, who taught him the great lessons of life whilst collecting shells – but also about the bloody clashes between Fatah and Hamas, right on his doorstep, and how deeply life in Gaza was marked by terror.  Years later, he protested against Hamas and was arrested, tortured and forced to flee. Today, he is one of the most important political voices  in the Palestinian exile community, yet he refuses to be co-opted by either the pro-Israeli or the pro-Palestinian side. A deeply personal book that is both a message of hope and a plea for a democratic and peaceful resolution to the Middle East conflict. (Publisher)