Historical Dictionary of Palestine - Hardcover

Nazzal, Nafez Y.; Nazzal, Laila A.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0810832399 ISBN 13: 9780810832398

Publisher: Scarecrow Press, 1997

Synopsis

Ruled by wave after wave of conquerors through the centuries, Palestine is a land that is synonymous to many people with one of the three great monotheistic religions of the world, but it has searched for decades for a stable identity as a nation-state. From the revolt against the Turks in World War I, the Balfour Declaration, the U.N. Partition and the Arab-Israeli War, to today's episodic riots, police actions, and seesaw summit meetings, Palestine has suffered almost every form of strife.

The Historical Dictionary of Palestine is a handy, fact-filled guide that brings together in one place coverage of the individuals, events, factions, and institutions that have had a historical, political, or social significance in the shaping of the nascent Palestinian State. Entries purposely focus on Palestinian in the Occupied Territories and the autonomous areas of Jericho and the Gaza Strip, but omit those Palestinians in Israel proper or those in exile. A detailed introduction and chronology delineate the tumultuous history of this developing nation state, and the main text of the Dictionary offers biographies of the individuals involved. Several maps detail Palestine's shifting boundaries, a comprehensive bibliography is offered to aid further research, and appendixes list its Declaration of Independence and Declaration of Principles. It is certain to be an invaluable reference tool for all researchers on the Middle East.

About this title

About the Author:

Nafez Y. Nazzal was born in Palestine and presently teaches at Brigham Young University, Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies.

Laila A. Nazzal was born in Palestine and presently teaches at Brigham Young University, Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies.

Review:

...a useful guide...useful to those who already have...knowledge of the history and culture of the region. (Arba)

Nafez Y. and Laila A. Nazzal have done an immensely useful service in compiling their dictionary...this work is more than a dictionary...a very good...introduction...an extensive bibliography...in the area of historical objectivity, it is superior to previous attempts...solid in scholarship and completeness, and, politically speaking, has a conciliatory, moderate tone... (Mesa Bulletin)

...a fact-filled guide that provides information on notable people, places, institutions, parties and movements, as well as Palestinian culture and tradition. (Middle East Journal)

...contains useful data about personalities, organizations, events, places, and terms. (Journal Of Palestine Studies)

...this book should become an essential companion for any politician, diplomat, academic, journalist or lawyer seriously concerned with Arab-Israel matters. (Royal Society For Asian Affairs)

The entries are clear, concise, and well written. Excellent cross-references appear throughout...a list of acronyms and a helpful statement on transliteration add to the dictionary's usefulness. An excellent work that will help students and faculty as the venture into the murky waters of 20th-century Palestine. Academic readers, all levels. (Choice)

About this edition

• Publisher: Scarecrow Press
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 0810832399
• ISBN 13: 9780810832398
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 320