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[Seamas]

In light of current events unfolding in the latest punching-match between Israel and Palestine, I've decided it's about time to dispel my ignorance about the issues by consulting the mountain of literature on this topic.  Frankly, I don't even know where to begin. 

Could someone recommend to me an insightful and non-biased book that closely examines both sides of the argument?  I have a great deal of bookstore credit to use up and this is a good place to start.  In particular a single book that contains both points of view would be ideal and save me the trouble of reading two asymmetrically proportioned books.  Yes, I am OCD, why do you ask?

In the past I supported Israel, but in the last few years (ever since college, really) I've been leaning heavily pro-Palestinian.  However since most of the literature I read or hear about the situation is written by Palestinian sympathizers, my knowledge is accordingly one-sided.  It's a touchy topic, so I'd like to do my homework before opening my loud pseudo-intellectual mouth in public again.

[Digital Hellhound]

Jerusalem - the book by Simon Sebag Montefiore looks at the background of the conflict pretty well, though the overall history of Jerusalem and its inhabitants is its focus, from Biblical times to the modern day. It's very useful if you're looking for the actual historical facts on the 'Holy Land' and various claims on it by the different sides and whatnot. Very neutral, IMO.

It's a great book to anyone in any case, I suggest a read if you're at all interested.

[martinuzz]

I respect this OP. More people should want to do what this person wants: Actually try to find an understanding of the conflict's background, by digging deeper into literature and history, before speaking out and condemning either party.

Misinformation, and ignorance, I think, are some of the main problems for (both sides of) this conflict.

[Seamas]

Thanks for the suggestion DH.  I went looking for that book at my local bookstore but they didn't have a copy.  There were two full shelves on the topic and so I did some digging.  It was harder than I expected to find a book that was self-described as neutral and examined both sides.  Some were agonizingly dry, some overly broad in scope (for my purposes) and others smelled of restrained proselytizing.

I came home with a smallish book called One Land, Two Peoples by one Deborah Gerner.... it's like a reader one would get assigned in a college course.  It's been expedited to the top of my 8" stack of reading-in-waiting in case I unexpectedly have to drop some informed opinion in a conversation soon.