Life at the Crossroads: A History of Gaza

€11.00

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Paperback

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"They are among the world's longest-suffering people but also its greatest, most resilient survivors" - THE NATIONAL

"...a lively, intelligent and highly readable history of Gaza." - MIDDLE EAST JOURNAL

"...the first comprehensive history of Gaza." - MIDDLE EAST INTERNATIONAL

"The Gaza Strip could easily have been seen here, had it not been for one simple difference between Cyprus and Palestine." - SUNDAY MAIL

"Life at the Crossroads is key to understanding just what a fabulous gem it (Gaza) is." - THIS WEEK IN PALESTINE

Continuously inhabited for more than 3,000 years at a key strategic crossroads of the region, Gaza has witnessed the rise and fall of dozens of kingdoms and dynasties.

Life at the Crossroads gives the rich history of Gaza from ancient times until the present. The strategic importance of the area geographically is addressed as a crossroads of culture. The role of Gaza in the current conflict with Israel is analyzed in its historical context.The book culminates with the two intifadas and the Israeli war on Gaza in 2008-09, explaining the territory's association with the development of the Islamic movement within the Palestinian community.

This book reveals the rich history of Gaza. Continuously inhabited for more than 3,000 years at a key strategic crossroads of the region, it has witnessed the rise and fall of dozens of kingdoms and dynasties. As well as considering the early period, the age of the Pharaohs and the Philistines of the Bible, Life At The Crossroads includes accounts of the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine eras. The coming of Islam, the interlude of the Crusades and the long period of Ottoman domination bring the story up to the First World War. The crucial history of Gaza in the 20th century is discussed in the period of the British Mandate and the conflicts with Israel.

264 pages with B/W photographs and maps
Paperback
Rimal Books, 2009
ISBN: 978 9963 610 39 6

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Should Be Required Reading for All

Life At the Crossroads: A History of Gaza by Gerald Butt, 2010 new edition. This book gives a detailed history of Gaza from ancient times through its turbulent present. The first edition, published in 1995 at a time when there was great hope and some optimism that the unrest and warring there would be resolved and peace could begin with the creation of a Palestinian homeland. However, the years that followed not only dashed these hopes but saw the most violent warring to date. Now the author, who was born and has lived in the Middle East all his life, sees possibility that perhaps there can be a glimmer of hope again. He is former Middle East correspondent for BBC and has written five books and presented radio series on the Middle East. The book give excellent and factual information for the reader to understand the background of the present day strife in ways that are never explained on the news, which seeks only to excite and alarm viewers. This book should be required reading for all world citizens who care about peace and understanding so vitally necessary for our world to survive. We CAN learn to live with global understanding and appreciation of the rights and differences of others. We CAN grow to be a world neighborhood with love and respect for all.

Covering the past 3000 years

One of the only comprehensive books on Gaza covering its history for the past 3000 years till today.

Life at the Crossroads: A History of Gaza

Life at the Crossroads: A History of Gaza

Customer Reviews