The Shortest History of Israel and Palestine

When reading this book, it is at first easy to see this as history - you forget that this is a current conflict and a current challenge for peace. The history is fascinating and the author has done a wonderful job to distill the content into meaningful, accessible chapters. The role of the USA, particularly in recent years, demonstrates the failure to find an objective mediator or middle ground and the book ends on a less than hopeful note. This book is essential reading for those wishing to understand the issues and may serve to encourage greater investigation by the reader, too.

I enjoyed this approach to history in this region. It is very brief for periods prior to the 1800s but is quite detailed beyond that. I thought it was written neutrally and objectively. I learned a lot from this book and it certainly opened my eyes to researching and understanding further about a land so laden with conflict and animosity.

Just what I was looking for: a short, concise history of Israel and Palestine. Great for those just starting to learn about these countries and their conflicts. Anyone with a thorough understanding of their history already will probably find it surface-level and boring.

THE SHORTEST HISTORY OF ISRAEL AND PALESTINE by Michael Scott-Baumann is so clear and concise; it's extremely helpful. Although I probably won't have my students use it as a group, it will be part of my classrooms. For one, it helped me understand history that affects my students and, two, it's a great resource to have on hand. It's also likely that we may look at it as an example of how to write about something extremely complex in a way that helps clarify and educate.

While the information covered in this book is likely familiar to people with more than a news headline’s worth of familiarity with the Israel-Palestinian conflict, I found it to be a good and seemingly balanced overview. The author covers both the political and human dimensions of the conflict. I would certainly recommend it to anyone seeking to gain a better understanding of the historical context of the conflict, and the current state of affairs in the region.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley for an honest review.

I started reading the book wanting to know more of the conflict's origins and to have a refresh of the historical events that lead to the political situation nowadays. In my opinion the text was written neutrally and objectively and it was very easy to follow. I highly recommend the book if you just want to have a resume of the events and to have a start in doing a thoroughly research.

Great book for wanting to learn about the conflict between Israel and Palestine. I would recommend this to people with little previous knowledge.

Thank you Netgalley for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Shortest History of Israel and Palestine; From Zionism to Intifadas and the Struggle for Peace by Michael Scott-Baumann is a powerful book that belongs on every library shelf! I felt so lucky to get a copy for myself! I have shared on my goodreads, bookstagram, and booktok!

A compact but sweeping sketch of a complicated history. A great companion or start to reading about this region.

Well done and clear to follow overview of the Israel/Palestine history and continued conflicts - especially with current history and upheaval. Many have no clue how the conflict originated and escalated - a great overview.