The Palestine-Israel Conflict: A Basic Introduction, Second Edition [Paperback]

Gregory Harms (Author), Todd M. Ferry (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0745327346 | ISBN-13: 978-0745327341 | Publication Date: March 20, 2008 | Edition: Second Edition

The Palestine-Israel conflict is the most notorious and ingrained conflict of the twentieth, and now twenty-first, century. Yet the way it is reported in the media is often confusing, leading many to assume the hostilities stretch back to an ancient period. This is the first book to provide a clear, accessible, and annotated introduction that covers the full history of the region, from Biblical times until today. Perfect for the general reader, as well as students, it offers a comprehensive yet lucid rendering of the conflict, setting it in its proper historical context. Harms and Ferry show how today's violence is very much a product of recent history, with its roots in the twentieth century. This balanced account is now fully up to date and makes a valuable resource for anyone who wants a clear guide to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian territories, and its place in the history of Middle Eastern affairs.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'This superior and remarkably thorough, if brief, study of the Holy Land enigma is strongly recommended as an introduction.' --Choice

 

'a tour de force in the depth and breadth of its research and in its clarity.' John K. Cooley, veteran foreign correspondent and author on the Middle East 'an indispensable, basic introduction' --Gabriel Kolko, Distinguished Research Professor Emeritus at York University in Toronto

 

'Gregory Harms has taken an enormously complex issue and made it engagingly accessible. An intelligent, thoughtful and comprehensive introduction to a terribly and consistently misunderstood conflict.' --Sara Roy, Senior Research Scholar, Center for Middle Eastern Studies, Harvard University

 

'This work, written with a relaxed informality, is especially good at highlighting key issues. It will be helpful to students and to adult readers...' -Arthur Goldschmidt Jr., Professor Emeritus of Middle East History at Penn State University

About the Author

Gregory Harms is a freelance writer and independent researcher. He lectures on the Middle East and US foreign policy, and has travelled throughout Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza. Todd M. Ferry began his studies in archaeology and Near East history at Indiana University. He received his MA in Syro-Palestinian archaeology from the University of Chicago in 2001, and has worked as a supervisor at the sites of Ashkelon and Tel Beth Shemesh in Israel.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Pluto Press; Second Edition edition (March 20, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0745327346
• ISBN-13: 978-0745327341
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #58,514 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #11 in Books > History > Middle East > Palestine
  • #60 in Books > History > Middle East > Israel

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent,Concise Overview, September 21, 2008

By 

Will Jerom (Florida, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Palestine-Israel Conflict: A Basic Introduction, Second Edition (Paperback)

Harms and Ferry are to be congratulated on writing a book that concisely introduces a very complicated and controversial topic. The authors have skillfully put together a readable and brief account of the origins of the present conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. Most readers (hopefully) will find it remarkably well-balanced and accurate, neither demonizing the Israelis nor the Muslims, but frankly stating that this is a disagreement with more modern roots in politics and a clash over land, rather than an ancient conflict of religion. Harms and Ferry have given us a good work to introduce prospective students or new initiates into a very important field of study. I highly recommend it.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent primer for someone new to topic, February 28, 2009

By 

Samuel J. Schleman (Malvern, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Palestine-Israel Conflict: A Basic Introduction, Second Edition (Paperback)

I thought this book did an excellent job of covering all the major events pertinent to this topic. It also gave a sense of the timeline. I thought the coverage was even-handed and reasonably objective. For someone looking for an introduction to this topic, or maybe just a single book that will give one an overall sense of things, this seems ideal.
I defintely recommend this book.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very informative and honest, January 20, 2010

By 

Unarubia (Estonia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Palestine-Israel Conflict: A Basic Introduction, Second Edition (Paperback)

This is one of the most honest and informative books, I have read about the subject. No biased opinions, just facts and fair introduction. Easy to read ant to undrestand also for people, who have a very little backround information.