“An engaging and evenhanded … history of the conflict, from its 19th-century origins to the most recent mini-war between Israel and Hamas in May 2021.” - The New York Times Book Review

“An important book, exceedingly well written, full of insight and empathy and even humor in the face of all available evidence.” - Colum McCann, National Book Award-winning author of LET THE GREAT WORLD SPIN and APEIROGON

“One of the best short contemporary guides to the complicated politics of the place” - American Prospect

“An optimistic, evenhanded instruction manual, with upbeat illustrations, for anyone trying to understand the conflict.” - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Flashes of humor, including Noxon’s witty black-and-white illustrations, lighten the mood without sacrificing in-depth analysis. Readers will welcome this informative and fair-minded primer on one of the world’s most fiercely debated issues.” - Publishers Weekly

“Tackles seemingly intractable issues in a mature, reasonable and straightforward manner ... After finishing this remarkable treatment and reinterpretation of key events that have taken place during my lifetime, my view of the entire situation irrevocably changed.” - The Bowling Green Daily News

“An accessible, engaging explanation of the Israel-Palestine conflict.” - Times Literary Supplement

“Everything that so often seems lacking in our thoughts, feelings, and arguments about Israel and Palestine―clarity, fair-mindedness, and universal compassion―can be found in this elegantly written and surprisingly entertaining book.” - Michael Chabon & Ayelet Waldman

“A breezy, sometimes even witty book about the always hot-button, depressing, and controversial topic of Israel and Palestine. [Daniel Sokatch] weaves a historical commentary that is both authoritative and entertaining. He must be some kind of wise man―or at least a mensch.” - Kai Bird, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of CROSSING MANDELBAUM GATE and THE OUTLIER

“A clearheaded, evenhanded book about a crucial and troubled region that makes all of us bonkers.” - Daniel Handler

“This is an important overview of Jewish perspectives, both in Israel and in the United States, of Israel and its conflict with the Palestinians. It is balanced, insightful, and highly recommended.” - Hussein Ibish, Senior Resident Scholar, Arab Gulf States Institute of Washington

“No reader will agree with everything [Sokatch] writes. That's good! But every reader should appreciate his honesty, passion, intellect, and humanity.” - Daniel Shapiro, U.S. Ambassador to Israel, 2011-2017

“Israel is a nation, a symbol, a legacy, an enigma, a disappointment, an outrage, and a promise all in one, and untangling those threads can seem overwhelming. If your answer to the question ‘can we talk about Israel?’ is ‘do we have to?’ then this is the book for you. It is essential not just for its frank and accessible narrative, but also for Daniel Sokatch’s ability to fill the gulf of knowledge that leaves so many of us outside a vital conversation.” - Prof. Juliette Kayyem, Faculty Chair of the Homeland Security Project, Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government