One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against ThisOne Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This
What it's about
In October 2023, a few weeks into the bombardment of Gaza, novelist Omar El Akkad posted a single line that went viral and became this book's title. Here he expands it into a book-length reckoning. Born in Egypt and raised in Qatar, he moved to Canada and then the United States believing in the West's promises of freedom and human rights. Moving between his own life and the war, he asks what those values are worth when the people who claim them look away.
Why it's worth reading
It's angry, personal and beautifully written, and it puts words to things many readers have felt but not said. Whatever your view, it's a short, serious book that people are arguing about.
You'll love it if you liked
Between the World and Me
A Day in the Life of Abed Salama: Anatomy of a Jerusalem Tragedy
How the Word Is PassedGood to know
It's an argument and means to be one, so expect a point of view, not a balanced survey. About 200 pages.
By the numbers
- Readers98 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics61 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller51 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz72 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #1 of the 44 politics books we rank
- #8 of the 481 new books we rank
- #32 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
True story
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Quick answers
Is One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This worth reading?
Yes. It's angry, personal and beautifully written, and it puts words to things many readers have felt but not said. It ranks #32 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 90.6 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This about?
In October 2023, a few weeks into the bombardment of Gaza, novelist Omar El Akkad posted a single line that went viral and became this book's title. Here he expands it into a book-length reckoning. Born in Egypt and raised in Qatar, he moved to Canada and then the United States believing in the West's promises of freedom and human rights. Moving between his own life and the war, he asks what those values are worth when the people who claim them look away.
How long does it take to read One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This?
About 5 hours (187 pages), or about 10 days at 30 minutes a day.
What awards has One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This won?
National Book Award (Nonfiction) winner (2025).
What should I read after One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This?
If you liked it, try Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates, A Day in the Life of Abed Salama: Anatomy of a Jerusalem Tragedy by Nathan Thrall or How the Word Is Passed by Clint Smith.