Useful books

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Beyond Machiavelli: tools for coping with conflict – Roger Fisher, Elizabeth Kopelman and Andrea Kupfer Schneider (Harvard University Press)

THE book on international diplomacy. The basic textbook in order to understand the mechanisms of power politics and how to face international challenges with any hope of success. The many real examples, most of them lived directly by the authors, show the errors made in several past occasions because of negotiator blindness, incomprehension or simple refusal to look at the real interests behind the problems; the book explains what could have been done instead and how. It also shows the cases where this method was used successfully to resolve even years-long conflicts. This book will open your eyes on errors committed even today all over the world, and following the teaching of “principled negotiation” (already shown in “Getting to Yes”) will show the real possibilities in resolving international issues. The author’s style makes it easy to read. Strongly recommended.

Getting to Yes: negotiating agreement without giving in – Roger Fisher, William L. Ury and Bruce Patton (Penguin Non-Classics)

This bestselling book presents the concept of “principled bargaining” as an alternative to the more common – and less effective – “positional bargaining”, showing a new technique to be used in almost any circumstance, from family and job issues to international crisis. It gives useful advice and hints on how people generally act during a negotiation and how they should instead. The book is the predecessor to Beyond Machiavelli and explains the theory that is at its basis, however the latter is more useful to international issues. Therefore Getting to Yes results less interesting but remains a must-read for anyone interested in the mechanics of bargaining and mediation at all levels.

Karnak Café – Nagib Mahfuz

A novel by the most famous Egyptian author, written in an unusual style for Western standards. The book portrays the feelings of the Egyptian population during the 50s and 60s, from the hopes born following the socialist revolution led by Nasser to the grim discovery of its true dispotic nature and of the persecutions after the ’67 defeat against Israel, especially the ever-present thought of looming treason. A look at those years from the inside.

Six Days of War – Michael B. Oren

From the current Israeli ambassador to the US (and formerly to the UN) the history of the 6-days war of June 1967, through the memories of both sides’ protagonists, the documents now made public and the newspapers of those days: a true mirror of how Arab and Israeli societies lived the pre-conflict days. The book results fairly balanced showing the errors and responsibilities of all actors involved.

Death As a Way of Life – David Grossman

A selection of the best articles, letters and short pieces written by David Grossman – one of the most renowned Israeli authors – on the Arab-Israeli conflict. It’s one of the best sources to know the position of those Israelis who are favourable to a peaceful solution, showing their point of view (often ignored, especially by people who profess to be pro-Palestinian) and the values and social interests they consider fundamental. A wake-up call for all of those from all sides who ignore – either knowingly or not – their existence.

The Arab-Israeli Wars – Chaim Herzog (Greenhill Books)

One of the best military accounts of the Arab/Israeli wars, seen from the viepoints of the author, who was one of its protagonists (and ex-President of Israel). Focus is on military events, with excellent insight on the Israeli side. Inevitably it has a slight (but not excessive) pro-Israel bias.

1948: a History of the First Arab-Israeli War – Benny Morris

An account of the birth of Israel from the disorders of the 20s until the end of the War of Independence. The author makes good use of contemporary sources from all sides, giving a complete image of events as well as showing both sides errors, excesses, and contradictions. There’s a focus on the Israeli plan “D” and start of the problem of Palestinian refugees. The book is full of useful data, but it is not an easy read.

Israel’s Secret Wars – Benny Morris and Ian Black

The history of Israel’s secret services: Mossad, Shin Bet and Aman. Birth, evolution, protagonists, main operations, successes and failures. A useful source to understand events that were behind – and sometimes the basis of – the Arab-Israeli conflict. Extremely rich of details, but like all books by Benny Morris it is not an easy read.

Under a Mushroom Cloud – Emanuele Ottolenghi (Profile Books)

The author is director of the Transatlantic institute and is strongly pro-Israel and anti-Iran, something that influences the feel of the entire book. Its value is not due to Ottolenghi’s thesis on the threat of a nuclear Iran, because his logic appears faulty at times and won’t convince people who aren’t already convinced. However the book is a good source of information regarding economic links between various European companies and Iran’s military program, and provides hints on how to make international pressure more effective while avoiding war.

Hamas – Paola Caridi (PASSIA Publications)

A complete and rigorous history of the Hamas movement from its birth until after the Cast Lead operation in Gaza. The author tries to portray the difference between the good and peaceful elements of Hamas on one side versus the evil and violent ones on the other, dividing the social aspect of the movement from the militant one: the result is in my opinion a skewed image that tries to convince readers that the “true Hamas” is neither violent nor corrupt. Despite this blatant pro-Hamas and anti-Fatah bias the historical sections are really good and the book is a valuable read to look at all aspects of this movement from a 360 degrees angle.