Rating: 
Summary: UNBIASED IS BEST!
Review: This book is greatly valued for its determined lack
of blame - a refreshing historical overview which
sidesteps many other current biased literary sources
that seek to convince rather than to inform. In cross
checking this book with others I find it to be fair
and accurate - a welcome resource for all students and
friends/family whose sudden need to understand the
Middle East conflict(s) is wonderfully met in this
easy-to-comprehend volume. Bard is to be commended for
a smart, historically accurate account of a very complex
subject; it should be nominated for education awards, for
all the light it has shed in making headway through the
darkness of otherwise distressing ignorance on a vast
and often confusing subject. I appreciate especially the
author's integrity in sticking to the truth and resisting
editorialization (which taints facts and diverts clarity).
I give this book the highest possible rating. It could
well educate enough people to ultimately help procure peace
through understanding, at long last!
Rating:
Summary: Facts overcome emotions
Review: The publishers are to be congratulated for giving us an easily understandable comprehensive account of a very difficult to comprehend situation. This book appears to have been written primarily so that non Jews and non Arabs can begin to understand the historical background that has led to the current conflict in the Middle East. Bard has done an excellent job in bringing the difficult problems facing the Jews and Arabs into perspective in modern times. The cute sidebars add to the readers enjoyment of the book, however they do not distract from the important issues which are discussed with clarity and insight. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in trying to understand the current problems facing Arabs and Jews in the Middle East. One certainly does not have to be an "idiot" to not only enjoy this book but to find insight and understanding of the causes of the volatility in this important area of the world. I believe this would be an excellent book for high school and college students to read
Rating: 
Summary: Terrible
Review: This is the single worst book on the conflict I've ever read. Don't get me wrong -- titles like The Case for Israel and Right to Exist present equally (probably even more) one-sided information. But at least those books don't pose as neutral. Alpha Books should be ashamed for publishing this thing.Interestingly, there are plenty of citations of Daniel Pipes and his ideological cohorts -- but no mention of Noam Chomsky, Norman Finkelstein, and their ilk. For a more balanced look at the conflict, I recommend Arabs and Israel for Beginners by Ron David and Palestine by Joe Sacco.
Rating:
Summary: Handy Reference and Introduction
Review: ...As a student of the Middle East for over a decade, I have found this book a handy reference guide.... In a struggle so personal, objectivity is always the first victim. The author is clearly pro-Israel, but that does not detract from the value of the text. Indeed, his willingness to actually admit his perspective is, in my opinion laudatory. Too many other "scholars" in this field present their opinion as if no other was legitimate. The text covers the basic facts of the Arab Israeli conflict in a highly readable manner. Subjects like the religious histories of the parties, the basic outlines of the battles, as well as the points of disagreement are given good coverage. ... Despite the complaints, this is factually correct, supported by serious historians and military analysts around the world. Others disagree with his assessment about the origins of the Arab refugee problem, a subject that remains unsettled by historians and still engenders heated debate. This book is not exhaustive. No single book could be. If you are interested in further reading on the subject, which is essential if you want to really educate yourself, I suggest that you also read the writings of Bernard Lewis, the dean of Middle East Scholars, The History of the Arab Israeli Wars by Chaim Herzog, a military history of the conflict used as a reference by both sides, and The Crusade Through Arab Eyes, an excellent book on the origin of Muslim views of the West. ... As I said, no work is exhaustive, but this book is a reasonably good place to start. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title
Rating:
Summary: An excellent, easy to read analysis of a complex topic
Review: Like most people, I read the paper every day and try to stay up to date on what's going on in the Middle East. But also like most people, I really never had a good sense for how the conflict started, who started it and why we, as Americans, care. Every book I've picked up on the MIddle East has been written in such technical language, and is so confusing that I just get too frustrated reading it and throw it aside. I thought I'd give the Idiot's Guide another chance. And boy am I glad I did! The book covers everything you've always wanted to know about the middle east but have been afraid to ask--and more. It presents an unbiased, thorough analysis on the topic in a reader-friendly, unintimidating style. I love the fact that I finally understand the basis of the middle east conflict and where we stand today. I strongly encourage people of all ages to read it!
Rating: 
Summary: Truth mixed with Lies
Review: I had been reading the 2nd edtion of this book and I learned many things I never new. For example, I was suprised to know that the Israelis informed Anwar Sadat of an assasination plot before the one that took place. I knew after the first few pages of the book that the Author was pro-Israel. I didnt mind that because there are many books out there that are pro-Palestinian. The problem I had was when I reached the chapter on Islam. I found a quote that said the Prophet Muhammad said, in his last sermon before he died, to fight all non believers until they become Muslim. I am not even a Muslim, but I was curious to see if the man said this. I have checked every source of info. on that sermon and never did the Prophet utter such words. Therefore, if this author cannot be trusted in a small matter like this, how can any of his information be accepted. This book will nevertheless influence many people to love JEWS and hate Arabs. I suggest another book, even if you end up reading this anyways, ARABS AND ISRAEL FOR BEGGINERS by Ron David..just to even out the biased views.
Rating:
Summary: Basic Account
Review: This is not a bad book because it summarizes the complex situation in the Middle East in a relatively compact, easy to understand, book. Not a bad read.
Rating:
Summary: Saddening
Review: I came at this book knowing very little about the history at hand and with an open mind. However, despite knowing nothing and taking no personal prejudices into reading the book with me, the books bias was patently clear to me. The book would for example completely avoid mentioning a certain Israeli atrocity, except in order to defend it and point out that the Arab propaganda or whatever exaggerates their claims. Now, I when reading this had never heard for example of this certain atrocity, however it was clear to me that the book was only mentioning it at all because it was something that had drawn media attention and needed defending. This pattern repeated itself throughout the book - somewhat surreally its defensive attitude coming across extremely strongly, despite often not clearly describing the what it was defending Israel against (i.e. the other side of the argument/issues).
Now having read multiple books on the topic it is clear to me that the book not only avoids certain topics or brings its biased viewpoint into them, but also deliberately misleads on some areas. However, I don't think any background in the topic is required to see the patent bias at which this book approaches the topic. What saddens me is that this is a book targeted at 'idiots' - people who know next to nothing about the topic, and want to get a quick introduction to the basic issues - and it is these very people it is likely to mislead.
Rating:
Summary: Critical Easily Digested Information
Review: Looking at the conflicting reviews of this book you might think that the data it contains is highly contraversial. Look deeper; most of those who attack the book do not address the facts and figiures it contains, but the idea that the author is 'biased.' Of course biased is a word generally applied by people to those who hold an alternate point of view. Case in point, who do many of the negative reviewers suggest for an unbiassed view? The noted Palestinian propagandist, the late Edward Said. So, how about the actual contents of this work? Like all of the Idiot's Guides, Bard's work offers a cursory glance at the subject not a deep education. Still, he covers the bases, from ancient history, through the birth of Islam and the colonial period right up to the present day. Many oppose this view because they prefer Israel not be placed in an ancient historical context, but begining readers should understand the Jews historic attachment to the sliver of land between the Med Sea and the Jordan River. The Maps and timelines are good and informative, though again, it does not go as deep as a reader seeking real expertise would need. The author focuses most of his attention on the Arab-Israeli conflict, giving short shrift to the challenges facing Arab culture in a post Ottoman world where artifical nation states were created by europeans. Readers interested in this subject should explore the work of Prof. Bernard Lewis, particularly the 'Middle East and the West' and his more recent work 'What Went Wrong?' Bard does a good job presenting the outline of the current conflict and giving the reader a basic understanding of places, names, dates, and outstanding issues. He Does offer both sides perspectives in their own words, though he does not take these statments at face value, often challenging positions that fly in the face of fact or reason. Again, while this will not make a reader an expert, it gives a good basic background which is a good place to start.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Prep for the DSST
Review: If you want to pass the DSST and save money and time for a higher level course this is it. However, the DSST has more Ottoman Enpire stuff than you might think - hit that hard, not well covered in the book. I give the book and overall a B+, readable. After all we are idiots and proud of it.
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