Author: Timo R. Stewart
Finnish original: Palestiina ja Israel. Historia karttoina
Publisher: Gummerus, 2025
Genre: non-fiction
Number of pages: 224 pp.
Reading material: Finnish original, English sample, English synopsis
A deeper look at the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, told in maps.
Israel and Palestine mean almost the same thing—and completely different things—at the same time. Renowned researcher Timo R. Stewart’s informative and visually appealing book helps to understand this contradiction through maps drawn at different times.
Palestine and Israel. A History in Maps increases understanding of the background to the Middle East conflict, using maps to guide the reader from the 19th century to the present day. It reveals the religious, political, and strategic significance of the region’s divisions at different times. The 25 featured maps were all created for different purposes and under different circumstances. Their relationship to reality is never straightforward.
Each chapter tells the story of one map: What does it reveal about the motives of their creators? What does it tell us about political and military changes in the area? How was the map used in the past? What needs did it serve? Stewart’s clear and concise book helps the reader to understand not only historical events, but our interpretations of them. It also inspires readers to question maps more critically.
About the author
Timo R. Stewart