This version of the book was published during the Second Intifada and naturally begins talking about the effect of it on Israel. As such the first bit of the book can appear to be a one-sided narrative of the country. However this is deceiving. In reality Rosenthal gives us an excellent inside look into the lives of Israelis. Anyone interested in the Middle East should read this book, if nothing more than to demystify the stereotypes that one has about the people of such an eclectic and diverse country.

Rosenthal refuses to deny or shy away from the at times gross inequality within the State of Israel between both Jews and non-Jews from a large variety of different backgrounds. One gets a definite sense that the country which was founded on a war of independence, and has seldom seen peace since, has inherited some of the negative aspects of this reality.

In this way and many others one sees that people from different social, ethnic and economic backgrounds are often at odds, but also in a number of instances live cheek-by-jowl. It's as complex as any other country in the world if not more so and an understanding of its people, their ties to Jewish history and the complexities of integration of Jews from many different backgrounds makes a very interesting read. ( )

Really enjoyed this book, came out in 2003. Wish I had read it then. Of course the Jewish vs Arab/Palestinian issues are discussed as are many other aspects of Jewish/Israeli life. Very interesting. Recommended. ( )