The Arab-Israeli Conflict: A History - Softcover

Lesch, David W.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0190924950 ISBN 13: 9780190924959

Publisher: OUP USA, 2019

Synopsis

Whether filtered through the media or through the classroom, the Arab-Israeli conflict has become a pervasive―and often misunderstood―subject of our contemporary cultural landscape. In this compelling new Second Edition of The Arab-Israeli Conflict, widely respected scholar David W. Lesch presents the most balanced and accessible account of the conflict. Combining narrative history, primary sources, and informative analyses, The Arab-Israeli Conflict enables students to form their own educated opinions about complex and controversial issues.

About this title

Review:

Lesch achieves the nearly impossible in The Arab-Israeli Conflict: a dispassionate, comprehensive, empirically based narrative of the key events, individuals and peoples, and wider historical/political forces that have influenced, and continue to influence, the Israeli/Arab-Israeli/Palestinian conflict writ large. His engaging writing style makes a very complex case much more understandable, not by oversimplifying or by removing important depth, but by using a plain-spoken, active voice that practically carries the reader along as his narrative unfolds. If you want to read one book that will help you understand why we are still talking about this conflict today, read this book. - Bryan Brophy-Baermann, Lesley University

This text is the most in-depth, comprehensive history of the Arab-Israeli conflict (not just of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict). It offers a highly readable, nuanced, and balanced account of the history of the conflict, and places this history in the context of broader developments in the history of the Middle East, the Cold War, and U.S. foreign policy. -Dov Waxman, Northeastern University

The book is a strong contender for the best overall textbook on the Arab-Israeli conflict...comprehensive in its coverage, sophisticated in its analysis, and fair in its treatment of a highly volatile subject... I think the maps are one of the areas where this book really shines. -Paul Chamberlin, University of Kentucky

This is not just another book on the Arab-Israeli conflict, it is one of the better ones out there... It is clear throughout that the author bends backwards to be even-handed. In some areas, particularly in later stages (the peace process) where Syria is concerned, the author provides new, revealing information - in itself a welcome contribution to the literature. -Murhaf Jouejati, The George Washington University

The Arab-Israeli Conflict is well written, has appropriate illustrations, and ably covers the entire scope of the Arab-Israeli conflict. The book is especially good at clearly spelling out the long line of ironies that dominate the history of the Arab-Israeli conflict, ranging from the rationale of the Balfour Declaration to the Arab and Zionist responses to the Second World War, the legacy of the Six Day War. -Brandon D. Marsh, Bridgewater College

About the Author:

David W. Lesch is the Ewing Halsell Distinguished Professor of History in the Department of History at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. He received his M.A. and PhD in Middle East History from Harvard University.

About this edition

• Publisher: OUP USA
• Publication date: 2019
• ISBN 10: 0190924950
• ISBN 13: 9780190924959
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 576