The Israel-Arab Reader: A Documentary History of the Middle East Conflict, 7th Edition Paperback – April 29, 2008

The history of the modern Middle East is complicated, especially so in the case of eastern Mediterranean. For this reason (among many others), the collection of documents by Laqueur and Rubin has been in print for over 60 years and has gone through 7 editions - it is detailed, comprehensive and most importantly provides in a single place arguably all of the most critical documents that have shaped the political frontiers of what was the British mandate of Palestine and is now the state of Israel.Beginning with documents from early Zionists and Pan-Arabists (the Bilu Group, Hertzl and the League of the Arab Fatherland), the history of the region and the antecedents to the current conflict are shown as each group seeks to shape the land to their own political interests (or to influence others to mold it towards their own ends) up to the Annapolis Conference of 2007. The variety of voices and perspectives is dizzying, underscoring the complex intersection of interests: European imperialists, Arab nationalists, Zionists, religious leaders of all stripes and persuasions, and the policy papers, reactions, speeches and transcripts from conferences. These are presented without editorial remarks or even an introduction by the editors. It is an excellent collection of primary documents relating to the region.A legitimate criticism is the lack of maps, which would go far to help provide reference and give a clearer picture of the numerous changes and recommendations made throughout the book. However, given the breadth and completeness of the documents included here, I can't give the book anything less than 5 stars . For anyone interested in reading the raw materials from which history is written (and which are critical in understanding where Palestinian, Israeli and Arab are coming from regarding their attitudes and perspectives on this place), this is a must-have text. Similalry, for any serious historian of the region, this is an invaluable resource. Highly recommended.

Good compilation

I guess most people have a vague idea that the middle east has been a dangerous place for at least a hundred years, maybe 4 000 years.There is only one democracy in the entire region and that's Israel. All the Arab and other Muhammadan states are run by dictators and the way to the top still seems to be by assassination. Women are chattels and are often treated worse than cattle.Israel has been sold short by almost everybody. America wants them to go somewhere else due to Arab oil interests, which were American or British until USA got cold feet over the Suez canal crisis. The Arabs are determined to kill all the Jews, and all the Christians too. Then America will likely have no friends in the region.It appears that every promise made to Israel since 1948, and to Jews before that has been broken.This book outlines many of these including the original documents. Essential reading to figure out where the future lies.Remind me who said, "The only thing we learn from history is that we don't - and so are condemned to repeat it.QUOTE: the grand Mufti thanked Hitler for the great honor of receiving him; a man admired by the whole Arab world ENDQUOTE

This book is a "documentary book" in the most literal meaning of the words. It is a book of documents and speeches collected together in chronological order with little or no commentary. No analysis is performed and no opinions are expressed. It just lays out the documents, starting with the Balfour declaration, and on to many letters and documents preceding the declaration of independence. It then follows up with transcripts of speeches and further documents by arab and israeli leaders. This book would be interesting to someone who already knows a lot about the issues and just wants to "use the source". Some of the most important documents are very abridged (the book is long enough as it is) so if you are looking for something specific - you may not find it. On the other hand, you can gain some insights from this book which are very hard to get through more "opinionated" books. It took me many months to get through this book, as I would just read a few paragraphs a day.

Good insight to the historical and contemporary development of the state of Israel and the sadly fruitless efforts to effect a true peace. It is clear this will not happen until Hamas and Hizbollah decide in deeds to recognize Israel's right to exist. An excellent read fir those who wish to go beneath the headlines and understand the reality of the conflict.

Tons of information

Depending on who you are, this is either one of the greatest books you've ever slogged through or the absolute cure for your rampet insomnia problem. When it says documentry history, it means it in the truest sense of the world as the book contains 620+ pages of every major document concearning the Arab-Israeli problem. You hear from multiple U.S. presidents, various leaders of Israel and representitives of the Palestinian people, and others on the longest conflict known to modern mankind. It does not take the reader long to understand how no one has really been able to solve this thing with any lasting results (Israel-Egypt peace excepted)This is not a book for the faint of heart though as many of the documents are written in governmentese and labourous to get through, but it provides the clearest snapshot of the conflict i've heard.

Barry Rubin is a rate analysist, able to cut through agenda wishes in order to get at the real power relations. I did miss some Israli and Palestinian writings. Warning: the book is so vast in scope, it is not something one read quicly and have absorbed the massive information communicated.