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Summary: Could be subtitled ...
Review: This book is an extremely partisan manifesto of the Arab-Israeli conflict; it simplifies this tragic case where two largely just claims collide into a black-white issue. It is not suitable material for 'beginners' who might prefer to form their own opinions: It is rather propaganda. I am not lamenting that fact just because the propaganda happens to be anti-Israeli - If it was so utterly anti-Palestinian I would have the same objections. For those who are looking for a book just to get a clear overview of this vexing conflict, amazon has many other fine titles available. This one is not recommended.
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Summary: "Peace Through Better Understanding"
Review: Mr. David has definitely taken the road less traveled... One hopes and prays that Mr. David's attempt to create a better understanding about this touchy subject will help with the middle-east peace process, and in the end help save the lives & ease the sufferings of-among others-countless Arabs, Jews, and Christians. AMEN!
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Summary: Good Stuff, its about time!!
Review: As a person of Egyptian origin I lived through much of what is in the book. What always made my blood boil during my residency in Canada is how the Jewish community manages to con the N.American media and public into turning one of the greatest injustices comitted by incessant violence and iron fist policies by one people over another in modern times, into a beautiful Zionist fairy tale. I have long ago accepted that the Zionists were far superior to the Arabs militarily, financially, single mindedness (i.e. at any cost) etc,and that "might is right". But I cannot fanthom how the media has convinced the general public the the Isrealis are the good guys. The book gives me good ammunition to back my arguments from now on. The only problem I have is that Ron tends to paint some undeserving Arab leaders as victims. Most Arab leaders are dictators ( many are also rutheless) and do not deserve to be put in a favourable light, and have certainly contributed to the demise of their lot, and fell into every simple trap Isreal set up. Having said that, I want to also add that the creation of Israel and its challenge to Arab soverenty was a major factor in toppling peaceful semi democratic rulers (like King Farouk)by army officers lusting for power, using the oppostion to any moderation towards Israel as their rallying cry.
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Summary: THE UNTOLD STORY
Review: I do not agree with everything in the book but I think it's an excellent attempt at simplifying a complex issue. I like the author's rare impartiality and accuracy in stating the facts and historical events. A must read. (A+)
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Summary: Irritate the mainstream media and buy this book
Review: This book, written by a Jewish author, tells the whole story of the Arab-Israeli conflict. The book breaks the tabboos of the Israeli-controlled mainstream media. It is a must for beginners and advanced alike!
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Summary: Just read the facts, and ignore the opinions!
Review: This book has summarized the important facts of the Arab-Israel conflict and it's a good book to start with if you know nothing about the topic. The author claims to be totally fair in his account of the history, which I don't agree. The tone is definitely anti-Israel. The Arab-Israel conflict is one of the most complicated topic in history, and a book with such length and depth cannot possibly be a good account of it. The book also does not describe the impact the conflict has on normal Palestinians and Jews, which to me is very important (for this, I recommend Thomas Friedman's "From Beirut to Jerusalem"). Overall, it's an easy book to read for people who don't want to get too deep into the topic. Just be careful in taking in the author's personal opinion.
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Summary: flawed but fairly accurate account of arab-israeli history
Review: Usually this topic, when discussed, is examined from a "peaceful Israel-violent Palestinian/Arab perspective. Mr. David refuses to fall into that trap. His assumption is that Palestinians might have "security" concerns of their own. He argues that Israel has not always extended the olive branch and often, has played the role of the aggressor. David spends most of the book focusing on Israeli misdeeds not because the Palestinians/Arabs are not guilty of their own atrocities which he mentions, but because; Israeli violence is frequently minimized, omitted, ignored or deleted in history and press and glossed over with Israel as a garden in the desert mythology. David offers a brief account of the Holocaust, giving only the basic facts of the Judeocide. Probably, because the facts, except for hate groups and fringe "scholars" are universally accepted and regretably politicized. While David's book is imperfect as a fairly black and white account of history. Most of his assertions have been reliably documented elsewhere. It's important to examine the religious,culural, and political assumptions that underly most of the information available on this subject. Ron David does this.
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Summary: Don't understand the nightly news? Read this book!
Review: If you want to read a book that leaves the lofty and intimidating ponitification of most scholars where it belongs, collecting dust on an out of reach bookshelf, then I recommend this book. While no author is without bias, this book presents facts that have not been presented to the public eye. The book is exactly what it says: for beginners, and gives a good list of sources for further reading by other authors who are more interested in presenting facts more than propaganda. I liked the frankness, honesty and research that went into the book, along with some humorous sarcasm. I liked that it was easy to understand and a quick read. As with any book, some things have to be taken with a grain of salt, but overall I found the book a pleasant relief from other more daunting texts on the subject.
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Summary: The most honest book you will read!!!!!
Review: This book, though simple in form is the BEST and MOST informative books you will read on the subject!!!!! Ron David quotes Noam Chomsky and Edward Said, two respected intellectuals who also give us honest insights. Ron David raises questions no one else does and in simplifying matters he brings out the truth which has been hidden for TOO LONG. People must recognise the PALESTINIAN argument which is the most credible. I ask everyone a question...bring out an atlas from the 1930's and show me Israel on the map!!! Most people don't even know the history and blab on,but ron david gives us the history, without bias and gives us facts...the rest is up to the reader!!!
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Summary: Admittedly Flawed, But A Much-Needed Book
Review: Admittedly this book has its flaws (e.g., the author makes a few undocumented assertions and expects the reader to "take his word for it"; the author is often as intolerant of religious perspectives with which he doesn't agree as he claims Jews and Christians have been throughout history; sometimes he's too cute for his own--and his subject's--good); however, the book's an eye opener and assuming it represents "honestly handled" research, it deserves a "hearing." Let's face it . . . there is clear evidence that the story has been told PREDOMINANTLY from one perspective and critical facts have been ignored. I am one who does believe the Old Testament prophecy that God will one day restore His people (Israel) to the Promised Land. I am also one who believes the Old Testament admonition that God's ways are different than man's ways and therefore the Balfour Declaration (and the actions which proceeded from it) is not necessarily synonymous with God's plan . . . maybe, but not necessarily. Therefore, IF 1917 indeed was NOT His time, than Ron David's thesis that legality/democratic principles should prevail in determining who should live where and under what conditions deserves serious consideration. I will admit that some of the latter parts of the book seem to ignore reality to ensure the light of innocence and infalliability is brightly and steadily cast upon the Arabs/Palestinians and sometimes the author seems to undercut his own attack on injustice toward the Arabs/Palestinians by glossing over the reality of their own injustices; however, assuming the author is honest in reporting his research findings, some of our difficulty in receiving the mesage may be due to our having heard "the lie" for so long. In addition, we would all have been better served if the author had been more professional in dealing with religious subjects (some of which he misinterprets due to his own bias) with which he doesn't agree. I surely hope the author is not "foolin! g" with us, because if he is, he will have then undermined the cause for which he presents such a thought-provoking argument.
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