Complete Idiot's Guide to Middle East Conflict

Mitchel Bard has produced one of the best ever histories about Middle East conflicts and their causes. It is balanced and accurate, and reads well.I am sure that historical revisionists, who wish to remake history to reflect their own agendas, will object to the truth being told. This book is a MUST READ for everyone who is concerned about the present conflict in the area, and has the need to understand it.

While this book is fun to read, it actually delves deeply into the issues at the heart of the conflict. Bard has done his homework and presented an objective and fair look at sensitive topics. This book is an excellent guide for those trying to determine whether what they read in the papers is based on fact or propaganda. Would make a great gift for college students and for those interested in the Middle East, no matter what their level of expertise. Even for people who think they 'know everything there is to know' about the Middle East, Bard has much to offer.

What an eye-opener! I found this no-nonsense, chronological history of the seemingly intransigient middle east conflict an invaluable aid in sorting out the roots of the Israeli-Arab dilemma. For example, I didn't know that the Arabs rejected the 1947 UN Partition Plan that would have given them a state larger than the one they're demanding now. Nor was I aware of the fact that the Mayor of Haifa in 1948 actually pleaded with his Arab neighbors not to flee but to stay in the city as the Arab armies were invading Israel. Thank you, Mr. Bard. I will recommend this book to all my friends.

This well-balanced work shows the positive and negative of both sides of the issues in the Middle East. It goes beyond the headlines to the roots of the conflict. It focuses on more than politics and shows how other factors contribute to the conflict. The "idiot" title is misleading, since this is a really well-written, comprehensive overview of the history of the Middle East. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED reading.

Like most people, I read the paper every day and try to stay up to date on what's going on in the Middle East. But also like most people, I really never had a good sense for how the conflict started, who started it and why we, as Americans, care. Every book I've picked up on the MIddle East has been written in such technical language, and is so confusing that I just get too frustrated reading it and throw it aside. I thought I'd give the Idiot's Guide another chance. And boy am I glad I did! The book covers everything you've always wanted to know about the middle east but have been afraid to ask--and more. It presents an unbiased, thorough analysis on the topic in a reader-friendly, unintimidating style. I love the fact that I finally understand the basis of the middle east conflict and where we stand today. I strongly encourage people of all ages to read it!