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92 reviews for:
Genocide Bad: Notes on Palestine, Jewish History, and Collective Liberation
Sim Kern
4.63 AVERAGE
92 reviews for:
Genocide Bad: Notes on Palestine, Jewish History, and Collective Liberation
Sim Kern
4.63 AVERAGE
dark
informative
sad
medium-paced
Good book focused on deconstructing Zionist talking points which are common, mostly online and documenting the struggles of anti-Zionist activism in the 2020s. Some good historical analysis but probably not for you if you’re looking for a book that delves deep into the history of the conflict.
"Genocide Bad" is a compelling and accessible entry point for readers beginning to educate themselves about Palestine and the structures of settler colonialism, apartheid, and genocide that shape the region. Clear-eyed and unflinching, the book breaks down the major Zionist arguments often used to justify or obscure violence against Palestinians, offering sharp, well-researched counterpoints rooted in both history and international law.
What makes the book particularly effective is its directness; it doesn’t over-intellectualize or soften its message, making it ideal for those who are newer to these conversations but eager to understand them clearly. While some of the personal anecdote sections felt repetitive or slowed the pacing, they do serve a purpose: grounding the political in lived experience and reminding the reader that this is not an abstract debate, but a crisis impacting real people every day.
Overall, "Genocide Bad" is an urgent and persuasive read that arms readers with the knowledge and context needed to push back against harmful narratives. A valuable resource for anyone looking to move from confusion to clarity, and from silence to solidarity.
What makes the book particularly effective is its directness; it doesn’t over-intellectualize or soften its message, making it ideal for those who are newer to these conversations but eager to understand them clearly. While some of the personal anecdote sections felt repetitive or slowed the pacing, they do serve a purpose: grounding the political in lived experience and reminding the reader that this is not an abstract debate, but a crisis impacting real people every day.
Overall, "Genocide Bad" is an urgent and persuasive read that arms readers with the knowledge and context needed to push back against harmful narratives. A valuable resource for anyone looking to move from confusion to clarity, and from silence to solidarity.
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
fast-paced
I deeply appreciate the existence of this book!
I have been educating myself on the ongoing genocide of Palestinians for the past several years, but admittedly it was not at the forefront of my thoughts prior to October 7th, 2023. Like many people in the US who are not Palestinian or Jewish, I did not have the background knowledge to back up my beliefs that what is happening in Palestine is immoral. I have always understood “genocide bad!” but I lacked context surrounding this particular genocide. I often found myself at a loss of words when speaking to Zionists who seem hellbent on trying to justify this genocide. This book has helped me understand many of the key talking points.
Kern offers several recommended reading lists, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that I had already read some! I now have more books to add to my list, and reassurance that I’ve been on the right track. One of the most interesting points of Kern’s book is how common it is for children to be educated on the Holocaust, but no other genocide. I love that one of the recommended YA books is Linda Sue Park’s “A Long Walk to Water”. I have taught this book for several years, and not only does it highlight an important story, but it deeply engages my students and gets them talking about empathy.
This book is getting four stars instead of five because I didn’t love the casual-conversation style of writing. It felt like I was reading an internet blog, which I worry will delegitimize the very important message being told. The argument can be made that this style might make the book more accessible and digestible, but choices like adding a dozen extra exclamation points made it feel a bit silly.
hopeful
informative
fast-paced
informative
reflective
medium-paced
informative
inspiring
reflective
dark
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Really accessible, really interesting. Very much a 101 on anti Zionism that is worth checking out and recommending to people new to the movement.
challenging
emotional
informative
medium-paced
An important read for this moment in history-- this is a practical guide to challenging Zionist hasbara against the existence of Palestine. There's a lot of Jewish history here that I as a non-Jewish person found helpful to frame confused perspectives about this topic. Ultimately, I like the hopeful tones Sim brings to the narrative that a vision of collective liberation belongs to all of us. If the whole world believes in a free Palestine, all isn't lost yet, and Palestine will be free one day. And also GENOCIDE REALLY BAD.