With characteristic rigor and readability, Avi Shlaim reflects on a range of key issues, transformations and personalities in the Israel-Palestine conflict. From the 1917 Balfour Declaration to the failure of the Oslo peace process, from the 1948 War to the 2008 invasion of Gaza, Israel and Palestine places current events in their proper historical perspective. Shlaim assesses the impact of key political and intellectual figures, including Yasir Arafat and Ariel Sharon, Edward Said and Benny Morris; he also re-examines the United States' influential role in the conflict, and explores the many missed opportunities for peace and progress in the region. Unflinching and meticulous, this is an essential tool for understanding the fractured history and future prospects of Israel-Palestine.