Palestine: A Four Thousand Year History Hardcover – August 15, 2018

I wanted to learn the narrative and history of Palestine without the bias of religious texts claiming ownership and promise of a land for a people. This book gives a great account that goes back far beyond what many of the historical books go over to establish who lived there and an account of the land's history and the people who lived it.

It is embarrassing for me to say that I reached 62 years of age without ever questioning the Israeli perspective of history, but my academic background--a degree in Biblical Studies, followed by post-graduate studies in Victorian literature--coupled with U.S citizenship blinded me. This book has been intellectually revolutionary for me. I had already been aware of the myths of Old Testament history, and I was already anti-colonial, but I hadn't put the pieces together until I read this book. I can't remember the last time any book has had so profound an impact on my thinking.

A meticulously researched and timely book that surveys with a wide vision the history of Palestine. To describe it, I could do no better than to quote from Professor Masalha’s Introduction. The book “explores the evolution of the concept, histories, identity, languages and cultures of Palestine from the Late Bronze Age to the modern era."Despite the enormous weight of politically-motivated ‘narrative’ that it must confront, there is no sense of ‘agenda’ other than to provide the most accurate, complete, and multi-faceted history of the region and people that is possible. He does not lecture. The result is "political" in the sense that it reduces to myth much of the common "narrative" used to justify the current political situation in Palestine; but the fault lies with the cobwebs he clears, not the author’s level-headed exploration of the historical record. It seems that even the book’s utterly innocuous title is judged by some to be controversial.Prof Masahla properly separates the concept of Palestine as understood as regional and territorially based, versus as a "country". That Palestine in the sense of country has existed "across more than three millennia" is, as he demonstrates, simple historical fact. What one does with this as regards ongoing politics is another matter --- for example, I for one do not think the present situation changes according to whether or not "Palestine existed", or whether the Old Testament realms "existed" in the sense that those using them for political purposes claim. To be sure, the book by no means neglects Biblical history. The author considers these essential, but treats them for what they are.

I just got my book today, I can’t wait to read it and write full review. Nur Masalha is an amazing historian. Palestine: A Four Thousand Year History should be a required reading for anyone interested to learn about the history of Palestine and the Palestinian people which Zionists are trying to erase the history of Palestine 🇵🇸. Thank you Nur Masalha I cant wait to read it page by page.So it’s been two weeks since I got my book and I’m loving it. It’s so informative and a must read to everyone who is interested in real history of Palestine.

Palestinian history, or Middle Eastern history in general that isn’t Jewish history has been on the back burner for decades. It’s finally time to acknowledge that Palestine existed before the Zionist take over after World War II. and to those who say Palestine did not exist, look at your Bibles, look at your maps, and look at anything from antiquity it clearly states that there was a Palestine and there still is a Palestine. You cannot hide a nation you cannot destroy it .

The title of this book is misleading to anybody looking for a history of Palestine. Sadly, the author, who is clearly an expert historian, does not direct his energy to writing the history of Palestine. Instead, he writes the history of the name Palestine, spending all his efforts to prove what should be beyond doubt: that Palestine has a long and continuous history as the name of this region of the world. I was particularly interested in reading about Palestine under Christian rule, after the first crusade - but the author basically skips this episode of Palestinian history. Given the geopolitical salience of this topic, it is understandable why the author writes this book the way he does - but this is not a history of Palestine, unfortunately.

Even tho this book is written like a PhD dissertation, rather than a popular book, I am finding it most interesting and informative. However....every page is chock full of place names, kingdoms, countries, cities - and there isn't a single map in the book! How can that be? Does the author expect the reader to go online and try to find maps of the region from 2000 BC and another from 1000 BC, 500 BC, etc? The book would be so much better if I could see on a map the places he is talking about and their relation to each other. Otherwise, they are almost meaningless. I wouldn't have purchased this book, if I'd realized this omission. Please add maps, if you do another edition!

It is a must read about Palestine. The writer is a scholar and gives you details not found in most books. Very important information to learn.

I am only half way through but i must write this review to thank the writer for this comprehensive work about the history of Palestine and its people. I have learned from this book more than any book about Palestine. This book is a must have for all humanity .

This excellent book ist outstanding researched and brilliantly written. It will open your eyes, so that you will find out, what is a source and archaeological proven history and what is a myth in Palestine. Who are the indigenous people of this land and who are the colonialist and occupier?

An important book that proves the existence of Palestine since the bronze age. Very sell researched and well written.

What a valuable addition to the historical literature on Palestine, and by a Palestinian voice, I must add, which is so significantly under-represented in the dialogue over Palestine’s history. The author’s mastery of the material comes across; the book is after all a culmination of his life’s committed work. The book is a serious read and is a required addition to any balanced book collection on the topic. Readers will also appreciate the chance to hear the rich Christian Palestinian voice that has been marginalized for so long. Thank you to the author for such a helpful resource.

How can anyone write a detailed and complex history of a nation and its people without showing it's place in the world across the span of time and its changing neighbours including their impact on borders and movement of populations. Any writer of history makes good use of maps of differing ages to clearly illustrate the time dependence of their written history. Can the author honestly state that there are no relevant maps available for this 4,000 years period to include with the text?