India, July 18 -- Freedom and Despair offers first-hand reports from the occupied West Bank as seen through the eyes of David Shulman, an Israeli peace activist. Alongside some beautifully written and often shocking tales from the field, Shulman meditates on how to understand the evils around him, what it means to persevere as an activist decade after decade, and what it means to be free. We get to know the Palestinian shepherds and farmers and Israeli volunteers who face this situation head-on with non-violent resistance. Inspired by them, Shulman suggests a model for ordinary people everywhere. Anyone prepared to take a risk and fight their oppressive political systems, he argues, can make a difference, if they can act with compassion and work to keep hope alive....