An even-handed approach to a dangerous, complex strife that humanizes the conflict in this volatile region, this compelling book shows how both sides suffer in the constant ruining and rebuilding of Arab and Jewish cultures. Mr. Shipler, who was the bureau chief in Jerusalem for the New York Times in the early 1980s, brings to life the “irony” and “symmetry” of the many tragic similarities of the Palestinians and Jewish Zionists who are locked in a “prolonged state of twilight warfare” and “intricately bound up together.” He captures the diverse moods and attitudes of the people who inhabit this volatile region, which he paints vividly. The book, originally written in 1986 and updated in 2015, notes how much more entrenched the two sides have become in their historical grievances and clash of national narratives, which have become more distorted by fresh terroristic acts by both sides. There are no winners here; only many losers in this seemingly never-ending, intractable conflict. ( )

I found this book a great read if you have ever wondered why there are problems in the Middle East. I thought Shipler treated both sides fair and gives insight to an issue that keeps confounding political people. It makes one wonder if there is even a will by the leaders of both sides to solve a problem that neither side makes the moves to solve the issues. ( )

A comprehensive look at the longstanding tension between the Jews and the Arabs. Shipler exams the many facets of the conflict and cultural tensions that have plagued the region for such a long time. He takes a fair-minded stance and gives us a compassionate and humane look at the people themselves and the burdens that the conflict places upon them. The pace of the book is steady and keeps the reader engaged. The author cites a tremendous range of primary sources.

A great behind-the-scenes look at the complicated issues that prevent real movement toward reconciliation and peace.

This is the history of the relationship between Arab and Jew. Shipler painstakingly traces the prejudice back to its origin and examines the cultural, religious, and socioeconomic divide that has existed ever since. Shipler's reporting is exemplary. He is unbiased but obviously very concerned about the everyday ordinary people just trying to survive in this land of unrest. Shipler's voice is at once delicate and forthright in his descriptions and details involving terrorism, nationalism, and political conflict. He refers frequently to information he has collected from textbooks of various grade levels to demonstrate the education & "miseducation" of middle eastern children. ( )

This is a revision of an in-depth look at the feelings and beliefs of Jews and Arabs in 1986, before September 11th. It has been revised in 2002 and again in 2015. The occurrences that have changed some of the text are noted parenthetically or in footnotes.

The book is an attempt to get close to both Jews and Arabs by a journalist, attempting to be sympathetic to both sides although not to violence. The picture he paints is one of harshness and ill treatment by both. The two sides are shown to have a very poor knowledge of each other and trust has eroded rather than improved. It is a heartbreaking book for someone who had hoped for the two state solution.

The election of Hamas to control in Gaza, the growth of the Israeli right wing and the settler movement , the applause and rewards to suicide bombers , the refutation of the truth of the holocaust and the teaching of the need to kill the infidel, make peace seem impossible to achieve.

I recommend the book to everyone who thinks about Israel and/or the Palestinian cause. The writer is a journalist from the New York Times and he interviewed both Jews and Arabs. In anecdotes and narrative he paints a picture of the beliefs and feelings on both sides. As he was neither Jew nor Arab, I had confidence in his attempts to be objective and non-judgmental.. ( )