The Hundred Years' War on Palestine
Buy Now
By using these links, you support READO. We receive an affiliate commission without any additional costs to you.
Description
One of the 'Five Best Books to understand the Israel-Palestine Conflict', as chosen by the Guardian
Shortlisted for the 2020 Cundill History Prize
A Granta Book of the Year 2023
'This cogent and compelling Palestinian perspective is long overdue' Guardian
'Riveting and original ... a work enriched by solid scholarship, vivid personal experience, and acute appreciation of the concerns and aspirations of the contending parties in this deeply unequal conflict ' Noam Chomsky
The twentieth century for Palestine and the Palestinians has been a century of denial: denial of statehood, denial of nationhood and denial of history. The Hundred Years War on Palestine is Rashid Khalidi's powerful response. Drawing on his family archives, he reclaims the fundamental right of any people: to narrate their history on their own terms.
Beginning in the final days of the Ottoman Empire, Khalidi reveals nascent Palestinian nationalism and the broad recognition by the early Zionists of the colonial nature of their project. These ideas and their echoes defend Nakba - the Palestinian term for the establishment of the state of Israel - the cession of the West Bank and Gaza to Jordan and Egypt, the Six Day War and the occupation. Moving through these critical moments, Khalidi interweaves the voices of journalists, poets and resistance leaders with his own accounts as a child of a UN official and a resident of Beirut during the 1982 seige. The result is a profoundly moving account of a hundred-year-long war of occupation, dispossession and colonialisation.
Book Information
Posts
This book delivers a much needed Palestinian perspective on the Palestinian cause.
It’s a very detailed analysis on the six major wars between Israel and Palestine between 1917 and 2017. Maybe with too many details, because I honestly can’t remember everything I read. Also the author seems to try to be as unbiased as he can, which reflects in the critique of Palestinian leaders and movements, as well as the critique in settler colonialism and its ramifications. All in all a big recommendation, but there is more to be read on this topic I believe.
A must read for anyone, regardless of whether you already deem yourself knowledgeable on the issue of Palestine or not. Khalidi manages to convey a factual reproduction of events while enriching it with personal stories and hindsight. Even though the author is of Palestinian lineage, he assesses shortcomings and crimes on both sides, drawing objective conclusions, as attested by many experts.
This book offers a comprehensive look at the Palestinian struggle against colonialism over the last hundred years. From my perspective as a Palestinian, it reads like a detailed historical summary. The author incorporates personal anecdotes about his family's role, adding a unique perspective to historical events, though at times this may seem exaggerated. The book is especially suitable for Western readers who are new to this subject. It presents complex historical issues in an understandable way. The author maintains a tone of cautious optimism throughout, even when addressing the more challenging aspects of Palestinian history. The book concludes with a discussion about the influence of global powers in the Middle East and explores possible future scenarios, such as how the democratization of Arab nations might affect Israel's global standing.
Description
One of the 'Five Best Books to understand the Israel-Palestine Conflict', as chosen by the Guardian
Shortlisted for the 2020 Cundill History Prize
A Granta Book of the Year 2023
'This cogent and compelling Palestinian perspective is long overdue' Guardian
'Riveting and original ... a work enriched by solid scholarship, vivid personal experience, and acute appreciation of the concerns and aspirations of the contending parties in this deeply unequal conflict ' Noam Chomsky
The twentieth century for Palestine and the Palestinians has been a century of denial: denial of statehood, denial of nationhood and denial of history. The Hundred Years War on Palestine is Rashid Khalidi's powerful response. Drawing on his family archives, he reclaims the fundamental right of any people: to narrate their history on their own terms.
Beginning in the final days of the Ottoman Empire, Khalidi reveals nascent Palestinian nationalism and the broad recognition by the early Zionists of the colonial nature of their project. These ideas and their echoes defend Nakba - the Palestinian term for the establishment of the state of Israel - the cession of the West Bank and Gaza to Jordan and Egypt, the Six Day War and the occupation. Moving through these critical moments, Khalidi interweaves the voices of journalists, poets and resistance leaders with his own accounts as a child of a UN official and a resident of Beirut during the 1982 seige. The result is a profoundly moving account of a hundred-year-long war of occupation, dispossession and colonialisation.
Book Information
Posts
This book delivers a much needed Palestinian perspective on the Palestinian cause.
It’s a very detailed analysis on the six major wars between Israel and Palestine between 1917 and 2017. Maybe with too many details, because I honestly can’t remember everything I read. Also the author seems to try to be as unbiased as he can, which reflects in the critique of Palestinian leaders and movements, as well as the critique in settler colonialism and its ramifications. All in all a big recommendation, but there is more to be read on this topic I believe.
A must read for anyone, regardless of whether you already deem yourself knowledgeable on the issue of Palestine or not. Khalidi manages to convey a factual reproduction of events while enriching it with personal stories and hindsight. Even though the author is of Palestinian lineage, he assesses shortcomings and crimes on both sides, drawing objective conclusions, as attested by many experts.
This book offers a comprehensive look at the Palestinian struggle against colonialism over the last hundred years. From my perspective as a Palestinian, it reads like a detailed historical summary. The author incorporates personal anecdotes about his family's role, adding a unique perspective to historical events, though at times this may seem exaggerated. The book is especially suitable for Western readers who are new to this subject. It presents complex historical issues in an understandable way. The author maintains a tone of cautious optimism throughout, even when addressing the more challenging aspects of Palestinian history. The book concludes with a discussion about the influence of global powers in the Middle East and explores possible future scenarios, such as how the democratization of Arab nations might affect Israel's global standing.