Hamas: From Resistance to Government

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Covering the history of the region from its 'golden age' as a port city in the fifth century A.D. to the formal birth of Hamas as a resistance movement after the first Intifada and continuing past Operation Cast Lead into the present day, Caridi traces the rise, growth and evolution of Hamas into one of the key players in the search for a way through the central crisis of the Middle East today. With intelligence, dexterity and a humanitarian ethos, Caridi performs the central function of history: to look at a people's actions through that people's eyes.

Reviews

In this capable, evenhanded work of research, proficiently translated from the Italian, journalist and historian Caridi carefully tracks the founding of Hamas from its offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood to its West-defining period of terrorism to its eventual, effectual embrace of political representation since 2006...an intriguing study of Hamas tortuous movement from pebbles to powerfrom terrorist attacks to ministries. Kirkus Reviews

"Caridi's English-language debut is timely and informative" Publisher's Weekly

Hamas is hardly an unfamiliar actor on the world stage. But much of the discussion about Hamas is more heated than enlightening. Paola Caridi's book is thus a real treat: it starts not with the controversy but with the movement itself, working from the ground up. interviewing those inside and outside the movement, and poring through written sources. The book explores Hamas's origins, evolution, and choices. Those who are already familiar with Hamas will find new information presented in a careful and judicious manner; those who know less about Hamas will find an accessible and rewarding account of the movement. Nathan J. Brown, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs, George Washington University

Paola Caridi, Italian journalist and historian, exploits her mastery of the pen and eye for historical detail to provide a rich, balanced view of the Palestinians leading Islamist organizationHamas. Skillfully translated by Andrea Teti, Caridis book draws heavily upon extensive interviews with Palestinian elites and regular citizens to chart Hamass rise to popularity and power. A superb addition to the literature on the Palestinians. Kirk J. Beattie, Simmons College, Boston

Author Bio

Journalist and historian PAOLA CARIDI has lived in the Middle East since 2001. She contributed to the founding of the press agency Lettera22 and has worked with L'Espresso, Sole 24 Ore, La Stampa, and FamigliaCristiana. Hamas: From Resistance To Government, her second book, was published in Italy in 2009 and in Palestine in March 2010.

ANDREA TETI is a Lecturer in International Relations at the University of Aberdeen and Senior Fellow at the European Center for International Affairs. His research focuses on Middle Eastern politics, political theory, and the history of social science.