Palestine: A Primer

by Rashid Khalidi

Come for a walk with me, if you would, along the streets of Jerusalem.

My family has walked has walked these streets for more than a thousand years. . .

Come for a walk with me, if you would, along the streets of Jerusalem.

My family has walked has walked these streets for more than a thousand years. . .

Rashid Khalidi invites readers to learn more about Palestine in what is both a deeply personal and yet expansive account of the last hundred years of the country's history. By blending detailed research with firsthand experiences, this book is equal parts compelling and informative—the perfect educational resource for all ages. From the Balfour Declaration to Israel's siege of the Gaza strip, Khalidi delivers a thorough portrait of the intricacies of the geopolitical conflict occurring in the middle east while keeping the text broadly accessible.

Genres: Nonfiction

Audible Audio

Expected publication August 18, 2026

About the author

Rashid Ismail Khalidi (Arabic: رشيد إسماعيل خالدي; born 18 November 1948) is a Palestinian-American historian of the Middle East and the Edward Said Professor Emeritus of Modern Arab Studies at Columbia University. He served as editor of the Journal of Palestine Studies from 2002 until 2020, when he became co-editor with Sherene Seikaly.

He has authored a number of books, including The Hundred Years' War on Palestine and Palestinian Identity: The Construction of Modern National Consciousness; has served as president of the Middle East Studies Association; and has taught at the Lebanese University, the American University of Beirut, Georgetown University, and the University of Chicago.

For his work on the Middle East, Professor Khalidi has received fellowships and grants from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the Ford Foundation, the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, the American Research Center in Egypt, and the Rockefeller Foundation, among others.

In October 2010, Khalidi delivered the annual Edward Said memorial lecture at the Palestine Center in Washington. He is the Edward Said Professor Emeritus of Modern Arab Studies at Colombia University. On October 8, 2024, Khalidi retired from Columbia University citing the university's crackdown on pro-Palestinian student protests, which he had vocally supported, and the transformation of the university into a "hedge fund-cum-real estate operation, with a minor sideline in education" as reasons for his retirement.

Reviews

[bailey elizabeth smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Young Listeners for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I cannot believe I am just the second person to leave a review on this book!! That is honestly a crime because this was astoundingly insightful. I have read The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine: A History of Settler Colonialism and Resistance, 1917–2017 by Rashid Khalidi and was curious how these would compare, and additionally, what I could further learn about Palestine and its history. While the former is a little more academic in its reading, Palestine: A Primer weaves in more storytelling in a more bite-sized format. I think this would be an excellent read for young readers and anyone looking to learn more about the Palestinian people and their rich culture and history.

I read this in the audiobook format, and it was phenomenal. Hind Shoufani's narration was compelling and impactful. I would also love to get a physical copy once this is released so I can take notes and make highlights.

This is an important book for readers of most ages (I would say middle school+, but I don't have kids, so make your own judgments here). I hope to see more reviews soon, as I believe this book deserves more attention!

As always, free Palestine <3

[Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this. I think it’s a good basic overview of the Palestine conflict/multiple intifadas. Interesting that the author also had perspective through his uncle in a political way!

[Anneka Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐️ - audiobook review
Thank you Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for this ALC.

I read a portion of Rashid Khalidi’s previous book, The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine (2020), before I had to return it to the library over a year ago so I was interested in continuing to learn more about Palestine when I saw this book was coming out.

I would highly recommend this one! As a reader who has a really hard time reading nonfiction and also via audiobooks, the book’s format worked well for me. Khalidi breaks the history into many headings and short sub-paragraphs. It reminded me of a textbook and helped ground my focus (and ADHD brain) in the segment being discussed especially while driving. I found Palestine: A Primer concise and not overly academic or heavy handed. There are names but not overwhelmingly so especially aurally which is not my speciality. Khalidi, like The Hundred Years’, weaves research and history with his own personal family’s involvement and experience, politically and personally respectively. This inclusion, especially in the beginning, brings the reader in, connecting them to this family, culture, and people. The timeline spans through current events, including brief details of ceasefires. 2024 was the most recent year I recall hearing.

Given that this is listed under Macmillan Young Readers, this primer is suitable for teens and doesn’t go into any graphic detail.

Narrator, Hind Shoufani, does good job balancing the historical and personal narratives. She narrates clearly and understandably through the text.

Narration:
Type: Solo
Performance：★ ★ ★ ★
Character Separation: NA
Diction: clear
Pacing/ Flow: ★ ★ ★ ★
Production: ★ ★ ★ ★ fine
Sound Effects: none
Speed: 1.5x

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was worth the read.

A condensed preview into the last hundred years which caused the occupation and destruction of Palestine. This book covers from the defeat of the Ottoman Empire to colonialism by the British occupation and into current day events between IDF and Hamas. Rashid introduces his own family’s story during this time as they experience displacement and the ongoing struggle of what was once their homeland. It mostly serves as an introduction for those who did not know the history behind it before reading his other book, The Hundred Years War.

I, personally, do not read very many nonfiction books but this one caught my eye. In many ways, my knowledge of the ongoing conflict is limited, so learning about it from the perspective of a Palestinian was the way to go. This touched on every major event during the last hundred years from the occupation of the British Empire to the Balfour treaty and even the summit at camp David that ended disastrously. Rashid brings a very educational and informative perspective about the relationship between all the countries that had a hand in the destruction of Palestine. There is also a touch of personal history with how his family was affected by the events which I enjoyed because there is a realism from his perspective.

The narration was a good experience, the narrator did an amazing job being able to be vocal and still bring that emotional connection to it. I think if anyone is trying to learn about this conflict and the events leading up to it will benefit from this.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan audio for an advanced listeners copy.

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Fierce Reads for the ARC. All thoughts are my own.

Palestine: A Primer is a YA adaptation of Rashid Khalidi's novel The Hundred Years' War on Palestine. Khalidi's writing style in this book creates an accessible and informative piece that provides a eye-opening overview of Palestine's history. As such a relevant and carefully researched work, I think this should be considered essential reading.

The way Rashid Khalidi writes about over one-hundred years of Palestinian history is engaging and incredibly well researched. The firsthand experiences and personal element of the book make it even more impactful. Though this covers so many years of history, it never once feels overwhelming. Khalidi focuses on vital moments and takes the time to explain what happened and the lasting impacts each event had. The writing is approachable, but still detailed and educational.

While reading this book, readers are also informed about some of the ways Palestine, its history, and its people have been misrepresented in media, especially in American media. Khalidi uses detailed research and presents facts to show the truth that many people aren't getting from the internet and their local news stations. In moments like these, the firsthand experiences provided in this book become especially important.

Rashid Khalidi does a terrific job at providing young readers with a compelling, deeply personal, but still evidence-based overview of Palestine's history. For anyone looking to learn more about Palestine, I can't imagine a more accessible, well-written book. I will be reading more books by Rashid Khalidi in the future.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a tough one for me. I was really optimistic that this was from MacMillian Young Listeners and titled a primer. That's exactly what I wanted to help me understand more about Palestine. After listening (and to some parts multiple times) I know a little bit more but I was still lost for a lot of the book. Some parts were engaging but a lot read more like a text book. I will definitely not attempt to read the adult book that it is based on! I think my standards for YA non-fiction adaptions may be too high thanks to Jason Reynolds. Years ago I attempted "Stamped from the Beginning" by Ibram X Kendi. I could see why it was so revered but it was also a dense book and I got a little lost and disinterested after awhile. Later Kendi collaborated with Jason Reynolds to author the YA "Stamped." It was perfection - the knowledge of Kendi with the relatableness of Reynolds. Later they took on another collaborator to issue "Stamped for Kids." I think I need Palestine for Kids! If this book we're written for adults - 4 stars, but for kids? 2 or 3 stars. I would love to see Khalidi partner with a YA or children's author to make this topic more engaging for youth (and some of us adults). I would 100% read that.
ARC via Netgalley

[Victoria H · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given this audiobook for free through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The narrator's voice is great! Very good at conveying emotion while also getting the information across. I would say this book is written very simply and straight to the point. This is a very complex issue and I believe this book is aimed at teens in order to give them a background to understand it better. I think it accomplishes that goal.

I also didn't know a lot of this history, but perhaps my only complaint is that this book didn't go very deeply into the state of Jewish and Muslim relations in the Palestine area before the establishment of the state of Israel beyond saying that they cohabitated mostly peacefully as that would have been an interesting thing to learn more about.

What I did enjoy is the focus on the involvement of the United States and the UK in the creation of Israel and how their support has changed over time.

[Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the Audiobook ARC!

Palestine: A Primer should be absolute required reading for everyone. This book is an essential eye-opener that educated me deeply on "the other side of the story"—a perspective we rarely get in America, where Yassir Arafat is too often equated with Saddam Hussein, and Palestine is viewed, at best, as a vague Biblical construct.

What makes this book truly exceptional is the author’s voice. Despite coming from a family deeply enmeshed in these historical events, he writes with incredible balance and fairness. You might expect an insider with a clear "horse in the race" to be fiercely one-sided, but he carefully examines the issue from both perspectives. Furthermore, that very insider access grants the narrative a level of rich nuance, vivid detail, and profound insight that an outside party could never replicate. A brilliant, necessary book.

[m y r · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Macmillan for the E-Arc!

This was such an insightful read as the author takes us back decades to better understand the history of Palestine, and the events that have led up to today. I enjoyed the way the author wrote this, both through personal retelling and historical facts. It was educational and deeply human. You can feel the love the of the land and people through the author, and I can't imagine all that he's seen in his lifetime. You can't help but recognize geographical luck and privilege, knowing all that Palestinian's have had to endure.

I learned so much through "Palestine: A Primer", and I've been meaning to pick up Khalidi's other book, "The Hundred Years' War on Palestine," which I believe goes into even more detail to better understand the horrific events.

As always, Free Palestine 🍉

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgally for an advanced copy of the audio book and to the publisher MacMillan.

This isn't my first book from Rashid Khalidi and most likely won't be my last. I did find it the most acceptable and to the point. It still has some personal stories and side information to keep you aware of where you are in time in case your completely going into the book with no information on the relationship between Palestine and the Occupation of the State of Israel.

I enjoyed the narrator and my only issue was and this is a me thing is there were times where there would be a preface in the beginning of a section that would be from a previous period of time and I would get confused by what was going on. So if I had not been reading an ARC I would have switched to either a physical copy or a digital copy of the book just so I didn't have to keep rewinding.

[Michelle G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

ALC review; thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the early access to this audiobook. Pub date: Aug 18, 2026.

This is an abridged and personal account of the last hundred years of Palestine's history from the perspective of a Palestinian-American, and it's exactly what it promises to be. It's accessible, super easy to follow and understand, and it provides a very digestible history and geopolitics lesson on Palestine. Anyone who wants to understand Palestine's current situation and the last 100 years of it but can't get through more dense works will benefit greatly from this.

The audiobook is beautifully narrated by Hind Shoufani, and this felt like sitting down with a Palestinian. I'm glad this book is coming out; it's timely and needed, so I hope people will pick it up and recommend it to others. We need to learn about these things.

[Lauren Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher via NetGalley for an ARC of the audiobook!

“Palestine: A Primer” is an accessible introduction to the conflict between Palestine and Israel. Rashid Khalidi tells the rise of the Israeli regime and Palestinian resistance through his and his family’s lived experiences as well as historical knowledge. It is devastating, and brutal, and raw, and told with a factuality that brings the horror of the genocide into stark relief. Khalidi explains how Israeli and American propaganda worked throughout history to change public opinion on the conflict, and how that is now changing in the liberal youth of America. I enjoyed the narration of the audiobook, though I wished I had a hard copy in front of me so I could get the correct spellings of everything.

[Kera’s Always Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is broken down into a really easy to understand the past century of Palestinian history. This is one I will go back to and refresh on certain parts. I am left feeling intense shame that the US has been such an instrumental part in so much Palestinian and Muslim ruin.

Khalidi tells this history with a true love and understanding of the land and people. He breaks this into chunks of history, through the many conflicts and wars, how outside forces and occupation has dwindled their land and their population down so extravagantly. Forever, Free Palestine.

I definitely recommend this one. I listened to this on audio and the narration was wonderful.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Palestine: A Primer by Rashid Khalidi, narrated by Hind Shoufani and adapted from The Hundred Years' War on Palestine, is an incredibly informative listen that draws on both personal and historical accounts to provide a grounded and accessible look at a deeply complex and longstanding geopolitical conflict.

As with many nonfiction audiobooks, I know I would have retained more of the information with a physical copy in hand, but that is a personal preference and says nothing about the quality of the material or the narration.

Highly recommend to anyone looking to educate themselves about the history and ongoing realities of what Palestine has faced and continues to face.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so glad I read this book. I think it was an excellent primer suited for younger readers or those who need an introduction to Palestine. I liked hearing about the personal side of the author's family and how his parents and relatives navigated through the changes happening in Palestine and the surrounding areas. Understanding and learning the historical positions of governments involved, the UN and how their actions and words changed over the years is so important. This is a good foundational read to start with which will help build your knowledge to fill in the gaps of other history.

[Besan Fawaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the early listeners copy of Palestine:A Primer. An extra special thank you to author Rashid Khalid and narrator Hind Shoufani for bringing the history of Palestine to life. This is a story that needs to be told and a story I can only hope people will read/listen with an open mind and heart. This was simultaneously beautiful and heartbreaking, but so important to shed light on. It is so valuable to understand the true history of Palestine and its people and to understand that its history is centuries old.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an incredible read over the last 100 years of the absolute atrocities that Palestinians have faced. It’s precise, accessible, and completely maddening.

I love how the author intertwined his own families experiences into this detailed history. Screaming for everyone to read this.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan audio for the ALC.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Palestine: A Primer, Rashid Khalidi teaches the history of Palestine through personal accounts of his family's history. The book covers the last one hundred years of Palestinian history and includes some really thorough research. A skillfully written and important book for your collection.