Steven,
Thanks for the book list. I'll take a look at the introductory stuff, then see if I wish to read more, particularly the Tuchman and Cohen. I may wait a bit on reading the 48 stuff.
The list of source materials reads like someone who is doing or contemplating doing a book on these issues. Your writing suggests you could do a terrific one--you write extremely well and, apparently, with ease; and you have that difficult ability to stay at the level of the forest while keeping the trees firmly in mind.
Another question. Bill Kohn suggested Martin Gilbert's book, Israel. My library had a copy so I'm skimming it now. Much detail; Gilbert's kind of broad stroke stuff with patient attention to the sources. But it has a completely non-reflexive top down orientation, no sense that Arabs have reasonable motives. But, at the same time, a stirring story, particularly placed against the background of worldwide persecution of Jews. Oh, yes, Gilbert tells the story only moderately well.
I may well change my mind about it if I read further. But it does seem imperative, for serious thought, that one have some, however meager, sense for the historical sense the Israelis and the Palestinians bring to this. Your exchange with Nadine got me going on that. Thanks to both of you.
Do you have take on the Gilbert book? |
