I completed my master's thesis on the politics, history, and culture of the Palestinians, so I was eager to read Filiu's take on Gaza, a tiny, buy much contested stretch of land. Valuable insight and a staple for any collection on the Middle East conflict.

Solid and accessible history.

Jean-Pierre Filiu has delivered an accessible and much needed history of one the worlds most troubled regions. I for one was not aware of many of the details.

Filiu is broadly sympathetic to the Palestinians and inevitably there will be criticism from some areas over impartiality, but this is a complex region and this book makes a valuable contribution to the many viewpoints on resolution.