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quicksilver's review against another edition
informative
reflective
fast-paced
3.5
This is more of a discussion on how to organize and what has been done on Palestine. I thought it would layer more context and history into a narrative, but it was mostly a discussion between the two authors. It is a useful discussion, but not the historical context I was searching for. I came away angry and sad because it seems like nothing has changed or will change soon. It also doesn’t give a lot of action that an ordinary citizen can do to support peace and human rights, but it inspired me to look deeper.
readingwithcoffee's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
2.75
It’s honestly not a horrible introduction but it’s so many writers especially Jewish American Chomsky and Israeli Brit Pappé discussing what is Palestines past then present and what should be it’s future and defining terms and making comment on Palestinian lead movements it becomes incredibly grating especially if you’re going into the book with a lot of knowledge. Through i was not surprised that Chomsky criticized BDS wanting divestment in Israeli academics and institutions vs the Israeli who had to leave his country supported with and talked about how it can serve as a reality check for Israeli ivory towers. Which speaking of, I respect chomskys work on propaganda and he’s an intelligent man but god he is so obviously an academic in an ivory tower that comments on movements and groups versus really actively involved in the things he discusses. I think he gets more credit then necessarily due and I’m saying that aware he’s wrote wonderful for words for some books by Palestinians.
Not a horrible book but I do think there’s much better ones about Palestine made by actual ones
Not a horrible book but I do think there’s much better ones about Palestine made by actual ones
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide and Colonisation
haileystewart6's review against another edition
5.0
i felt like it was my responsibility to learn more about palestinian history as someone who is horrified by the war in gaza right now. this book was an excellent introduction, and i found it incredibly interesting and informative. i cannot wait to read more about palestinian politics and its relationship to israel.
quenchgum's review against another edition
4.0
This book is brilliant but one-sided. As such, the reader's context is crucial.
If you're coming at things from a "pro-Israel" perspective: You should read this book. If you're posting the Israeli flag on your Instagram story then I think you have a responsibility to make sure that you are educated on the issues. No matter how well-educated you otherwise may be on the conflict, and no matter how frustrating this book may be to read (given what it conveniently omits), you won't do yourself and your peers justice unless you make an effort to become aware of the legitimate and best-presented arguments that Palestinians have a right to make. This is a good book for that task. Another good book for the task - and one that is more nuanced and comprehensive (albeit longer) - is [b:The Hundred Years' War on Palestine: A History of Settler-Colonial Conquest and Resistance, 1917-2017|41812831|The Hundred Years' War on Palestine A History of Settler-Colonial Conquest and Resistance, 1917-2017|Rashid Khalidi|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1556345491l/41812831._SY75_.jpg|65247140].
If you're coming at things from a "pro-Palestine" perspective: This book is very one-sided in its arguments against the current Israeli state. Please know that the authors omit certain key facts and context and then proceed to vilify and demonize Israeli and U.S. state actors for actions that would be far more understandable (even if still not quite agreeable) if the complete context had been rightfully provided. So, I think you should read this book, but I think that you should further deepen your understanding by additionally reading something like [b:The Iron Wall: Israel and the Arab World|788875|The Iron Wall Israel and the Arab World|Avi Shlaim|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1347480557l/788875._SY75_.jpg|774864] or [b:Righteous Victims: A History of the Zionist-Arab Conflict, 1881-1998|131324|Righteous Victims A History of the Zionist-Arab Conflict, 1881-1998|Benny Morris|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320442270l/131324._SY75_.jpg|126481] (both of which are respected books by Israel's "New Historians" that provide a balanced but yet critical look at Israel's actions) or, better yet, [b:A History of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict|289086|A History of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict|Mark Tessler|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1173447358l/289086._SY75_.jpg|280466] (a long but incredibly comprehensive and balanced look at the narratives that both sides put forth as well as the facts supporting each side's claims). I feel strongly that if read in isolation, this book would be more hurtful than helpful in fostering a consensus and moving toward greater mutual understanding and enduring justice for all peoples.
Four stars from me. It was good, but I don't agree with some of Chomsky's and (in particular) Ilan Pappé's conclusions, and, worse, I was frustrated that the book wasn't balanced but implied that it was.
If you're coming at things from a "pro-Israel" perspective: You should read this book. If you're posting the Israeli flag on your Instagram story then I think you have a responsibility to make sure that you are educated on the issues. No matter how well-educated you otherwise may be on the conflict, and no matter how frustrating this book may be to read (given what it conveniently omits), you won't do yourself and your peers justice unless you make an effort to become aware of the legitimate and best-presented arguments that Palestinians have a right to make. This is a good book for that task. Another good book for the task - and one that is more nuanced and comprehensive (albeit longer) - is [b:The Hundred Years' War on Palestine: A History of Settler-Colonial Conquest and Resistance, 1917-2017|41812831|The Hundred Years' War on Palestine A History of Settler-Colonial Conquest and Resistance, 1917-2017|Rashid Khalidi|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1556345491l/41812831._SY75_.jpg|65247140].
If you're coming at things from a "pro-Palestine" perspective: This book is very one-sided in its arguments against the current Israeli state. Please know that the authors omit certain key facts and context and then proceed to vilify and demonize Israeli and U.S. state actors for actions that would be far more understandable (even if still not quite agreeable) if the complete context had been rightfully provided. So, I think you should read this book, but I think that you should further deepen your understanding by additionally reading something like [b:The Iron Wall: Israel and the Arab World|788875|The Iron Wall Israel and the Arab World|Avi Shlaim|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1347480557l/788875._SY75_.jpg|774864] or [b:Righteous Victims: A History of the Zionist-Arab Conflict, 1881-1998|131324|Righteous Victims A History of the Zionist-Arab Conflict, 1881-1998|Benny Morris|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320442270l/131324._SY75_.jpg|126481] (both of which are respected books by Israel's "New Historians" that provide a balanced but yet critical look at Israel's actions) or, better yet, [b:A History of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict|289086|A History of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict|Mark Tessler|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1173447358l/289086._SY75_.jpg|280466] (a long but incredibly comprehensive and balanced look at the narratives that both sides put forth as well as the facts supporting each side's claims). I feel strongly that if read in isolation, this book would be more hurtful than helpful in fostering a consensus and moving toward greater mutual understanding and enduring justice for all peoples.
Four stars from me. It was good, but I don't agree with some of Chomsky's and (in particular) Ilan Pappé's conclusions, and, worse, I was frustrated that the book wasn't balanced but implied that it was.
shereallyreads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0