A History of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (Indiana Series in Arab and Islamic Studies) (Paperback)

by Professor Mark Tessler (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
"Objectivity without detachment" is the author's self-proclaimed goal, and his detailed account of this intractable 20th-century conflict is certainly more even-handed than many. Part of the Indiana Series in Arab and Islamic Studies, Tessler's work provides a useful review of the numerous failed diplomatic solutions over the years concluding on a cautiously optimistic note with the September 1993 handshake between Rabin and Arafat. It is a fallacy, however, to believe that the "truth" of any contested issue must always reside dead center between the two sides--and this work is unlikely to sway any reader who already holds a considered opinion. Tessler (coauthor of Israel, Egypt, the Palestinians ) is closest to achieving his goal when he devotes two long opening chapters to sympathetic histories of the Jews and the Arabs, respectively. Yet even here the symmetry is flawed, and he must engage in a song and dance to explain why he gives the history of the Arab world rather than the Palestinians specifically if, as he asserts, "the Palestinians are descendants of two ancient peioples, the Canaanites and the Philistines." A technique the author frequently employs is to set forth the arguments--including audacious propaganda--before stepping in to evaluate them critically or, more often, to equivocate. In this regard, he cites a touching anecdote recounted by Arafat, only pointing to its spurious character in a footnote. Although similar lapses throughout partially erode the credibility of the author's objective stance, one has to admire his herculean effort, and current events ensure that this is a timely history.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
Tessler, a political scientist, provides a thorough historical and political analysis of the current Arab-Israeli conflict. Going back to ancient times, he juxtaposes the history of the ancient Hebrews with that of the Arabs, bringing their respective developments up through time to the present. With a great deal of clarity, the author describes the origins of modern political Zionism and Arab nationalism, their emergence and evolution through the period of the British mandate, and the establishment of the State of Israel with the commensurate Arab opposition efforts. Tessler's analysis is made current by a discussion of the intifadah. His method of presenting complementary histories of the two peoples leads to the author's thesis that a solution to the conflict can come only with mutual recognition of the respective histories of the Israelis and Palestinians and the establishment of two states. This is the best book on the subject at present. Highly recommended.
Sanford R. Silverburg, Catawba Coll., Salisbury, N.C
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 928 pages
• Publisher: Indiana University Press (June 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0253208734
• ISBN-13: 978-0253208736
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #310,885 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fair and Detailed Account, March 18, 2002

By A Customer

Too often the history of the Arab-Israeli conflict gets distorted by those who are too attached to one side or the other and twist the history to fit their agenda. They often fail to admit the tragedies they have inflicted on the other side and demonized their opponents' motives. Mark Tessler does an excellent job of presenting a fair and balanced history of the conflict and of avoiding these pitfalls. What is great about this book is that it not only details the actually events but discusses the ideologies and the political constraints facing both sides. I felt like I didn't just learn history, but also learned why each side made the decisions they did. I hope Professor Tessler is considering making an updated edition.

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Extraordinary Achievement, October 10, 2001

By	Jud Newborn "Author, Lecturer, Anthropologist" (NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

What subject could be more complex, and the telling of its history more liable to political bias and encumberance, than the Israeli-Palestinian conflict? One must be extremely diligent and capable of independent critical analysis to find one's way through the warring literature on this subject, whether from right, left or center. Mark Tessler's is the most objective, scrupulous, balanced--and therefore most humane--detailed history of this conflict that I have seen. I cannot imagine why it hasn't had more attention. It should, in fact, be on the required reading list of everyone concerned about this conflict. If only its findings and approach could sink into popular consciousness, it might provide an antidote for violence and blind rage, as well as for politically or intellectually-motivated self-righteousness. It should be widely translated, and available in both Arabic and Hebrew.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Balanced, June 10, 2002

By	Matthew Lieberman (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I searched for 2 weeks for a book that would fairly present both sides of the Israeli-Palistinian debate and probably most of you are in the same boat - feeling too ignorant about something too important. Tessler presents such a balanced view that 400 pages into the book I can't tell if he believes either side is "in the right." The book makes clear why both sides have reasons to call this land their own and also makes clear that both sides have engaged in less than moral tactics to stake their claim and drive out the other side. You may not come away knowing who is right but at least you'll have a sense of why the middle east is how it is today.