*Starred Review* This encyclopedia presents a comprehensive look at the myriad aspects of the continuing clash between Arabs and Israelis. The contributors are experts in military history or the region. Editor Tucker is also the editor of encyclopedias on the two world wars and the cold war, among other works. The 750 alphabetically arranged and signed entries are accurate and balanced. They cover individuals, events, groups and organizations, places, ideas, movements, technologies, objects, artifacts, treaties, and other topics. Examples are the Al-Aqsa Mosque massacre, Al Jazeera news agency, Mohammad Naguib (first president of Egypt), and the 2007 siege of the Nahr al Bared refugee camp in Lebanon. Although the focus is on the Arab-Israeli wars from 1947, many entries, such the one for the Ottoman Empire, help achieve a balance between historical and contemporary context. The work is strengthened by references at the end of each entry, see also and cross-references, birth and death dates in biographical entries, line-drawn maps, and black-and-white photos. Accurate categorical and general indexes are repeated in each volume. Following the A–Z entries, volume 3 contains several appendixes: “Army Ranks,” “Navy Ranks,” and brief statistical profiles for several countries, current to 1999. Also in volume 3 are a chronology (through 2007), a glossary, and a bibliography (with several titles from 2007). Volume 4 comprises 168 documents (usually excerpts) from 1839 to 2007. An introductory paragraph places each document in context, and the source is given at the end of the entry. Documents include a 1905 Arab call for a liberal constitutional state and a 1944 urging of conservation of Western Hemisphere petroleum reserves. There are a number of earlier or shorter relevant reference sources, among them Historical Dictionary of the Arab-Israeli Conflict (Scarecrow, 2006), and, of course, much information is on the Web. The more limited Encyclopedia of the Palestinians (Facts On File) was favorably reviewed and revised in 2005. The current, more comprehensive work will be useful in a wide range of public, academic, and congregational libraries. Also available as an e-book. --Arthur Meyers
Review
"This well informed and balanced reference work details how and why this conflict came to be and continues still today."
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American Reference Books Annual
"…an accessible, exhaustive and invaluable reference to a potentially critical modern issue, and carries the absolute highest recommendation for public and college libraries as well as international reference collections."
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Midwest Book Review
"The Encyclopedia of the Arab-Israeli Conflict is a set that will be in high demand by both academic libraries as well as larger public libraries."
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Against the Grain
"The current, more comprehensive work will be useful in a wide range of public, academic, and congregational libraries."
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Booklist, Starred Review
"High school to college libraries strong in Jewish history and culture or Middle East history will find the volumes of The Encyclopedia of the Arab-Israeli Conflict: A Political, Social and Military History to be key to understanding the region's conflicts."
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Midwest Book Review
"Recommended. Lower-level undergraduates and above; general readers."
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Choice
"It would be a welcome addition to any undergraduate collection."
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Reference & User Services Quarterly
"A comprehensive look at myriad aspects of the continuing clash between Arabs and Israelils. Althrough the focus is on the Arab-Israeli wars from 1947, many entries help achieve a balance between historical and contemporary context."
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Booklist
"…an invaluable resource for scholars, students, and general readers seeking information about this influential conflict, as well as for those seeking to gain a detailed, and accurate understanding of the conflict. The Encyclopedia of the Arab-Israeli Conflict: A Political, Social, and Military History is an essential, general reference encyclopedia that should be added to all academic and public libraries.'
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The Jewish Eye
"This four-volume set is a carefully planned, analytical, and creative encyclopedia on Israeli-Arab relations, with particular emphasis on the history of Zionism and the Palestinian national entity. […] This well informed and balanced reference work details how and why this conflict came to be and continues still today."
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ARBA
"The Encyclopedia is a useful book…"
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Reference Reviews
"Teachers will appreciate the comprehensive overview essay that opens the work as well as the wealth of readable articles that provide students with much-needed background. The books offer a generous number of photographs, maps, and charts. Volume Four contains 168 carefully selected documents with contextual introductions. Appendices include military ranks, country profiles, a selected bibliography, glossary, and a categorical index, as well as a traditional index. The chronologies cover the history of the region and specific issues and conflicts. Unfortunately, the volumes were published prior to the emerging conflicts of the past two years. Nevertheless, this set is a very valuable addition to the reference collection of all academic high schools. Highly recommended."
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Pennsylvania School Librarians Association
