The Shortest History of Israel and Palestine is a part of the The Shortest History series that cover a range of themes, such as War, The Universe, India, The Soviet Union, and Democracy, among others. They are meant to be handy, informative guides that offer a comprehensive understanding of a focal subject matter, specifically those that have vast histories that predate them.
The Shortest History of Israel and Palestine similarly covers a history of the Israel-Palestine crisis right from its origins, and is an especially useful read if one is trying to make sense of today’s global politics, in light of the October 07, 2023 bombing of Israel by Hamas and the ensuing and ongoing genocide perpetrated by Israel in Gaza and the West Bank.
Naturally, I can’t ‘review’ a book such as this, as it is equivalent to a textbook of sorts. But I can explain what the book entails and also offer some thoughts on what it contains, and whether it offers an even-handed account of history.
This book has been written by Michael Scott-Baumann whose authority on the subject is preceded by over 35 years of expertise as a history teacher and lecturer, and volunteering on ground in the Middle East.
The Shortest History of Israel and Palestine is organised into 10 chapters, beginning chronologically at the origins, and it works its way through the timeline in explaining the role of the world war and Britain, United Nations, United States of America, Europe, and neighbouring Arab countries in the conflict. In the process it also explains key terms and figures such as important political leaders from Israel, Palestine, and other stakeholders, as well as the formation of the Palestinian resistance, the varying Intifadas, Hamas, and Israeli Defence Forces.
Each of the chapters begins with a series of questions it intends to answer, which is quite helpful in getting a macro-level understanding of how the conflict has progressed over time. It also includes a handy glossary of key terms and glossary of key people that we can refer to in the end throughout the reading. There are pictures where available, and also a vast Bibliography in the end.
One of the most important things the book does is to try and offer as unbiased an understanding of the conflict as possible. Nearly every chapter includes a section that recounts a personal testimony from both sides of the conflict. We hear perspectives on the war from the lens of Israeli soldiers, Israeli citizens, Palestinian rebels, Palestinian locals, and local academicians. Therefore, while we are free to make our own judgements about who may be in the right or wrong, we also hear the opposing view both at the defence level and at the grassroots.
The edition I read was updated to include the wars of 2014 and also of the October 2023 attack. Although it went to print in November, a month after the 2023 war began, it still helps those of us looking to get an updated understanding of the war in its entirety.
I found this book to be incredibly useful in understanding the crisis and following news coverage, apart from the noise from mainstream and social media channels. It helped me come to my own conclusions which proved useful in having an unbiased perspective of the war. With that said, folks who may already have a comprehensive understanding of the history of the crisis might find it fairly rudimentary and simplistic.
The Shortest History of Israel and Palestine by Michael Scott-Baumann
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