Can We Talk About Israel? is an easy-to-read yet penetrating and original look at the history and basic contours of one of the most complicated conflicts in the world.

This is a great book. It’s a perfect book for people to read before they discuss Israel with one another. I thought that I understood a fair amount of what the situation was with Israel (past and present) but I learned a tremendous amount by reading this. It turns out that there were large gaps in my knowledge of all that has happened.

A couple of things in the movie Exodus I now truly understand. Ha!

There are great hand drawn maps and other drawings, some portraits included. I would have rather read a paper vs. e-copy so it would have been easier to return to certain pages to look at things more times than I did.

He definitely tries to be even handed. Sometimes he bends over backwards to be and sometimes less so.

I’d recommend this book to all college and high school students, book clubs, and anyone who wants to better understand the current situation and how we got there.

Extensive bibliography and notes. A mix of straight history and opinion.

As of now this is relatively current but given how much always seems to happen it might soon be more of a history book. I recommend reading it sooner rather than later.

The second to last chapter was the most upsetting for me and the last chapter the most uplifting. Overall, I have to say I only wish I felt more optimistic about Israel & the surrounding areas, and about the United States too. (Re the latter I’ve been reading a lot and I’m terrified about 2022 and 2024, etc.)

I would have loved to read this with someone or a group, chatting as we went. I think people will think all sorts of things about this book and this author’s take on things but as a springboard for discussion it’s perfect.

4-1/2 stars ( )