Reddit reviews The Question of Palestine

I had not heard of that site before, I'll check it out though. I've spent the last few years studying the history of the middle east. If you're interested, the following books are pretty solid:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0679739882
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1851684670

I suggest you try to find a source that isn't pro-Zionism. That is probably the closest thing to balance you will get but that is pretty difficult. :/

My recommendation is this A Question of Palestine by Edward Said

I can suggest some books that are really helpful in filling in the blanks.

For a basic overview of Islam's history and the reality of Islamic countries in the modern world I'd recommend "Introducing Islam."

For a seriously compelling look at the Sunni/Shia split and the conflict between the two sects I highly recommend "After the Prophet". Not only is this good history, it's a very well written.

And for a really excellent look at the misconceptions westerners have about Islam, and the ways in which those misconceptions are transmitted and perpetuated, you can't beat the works of Edward Said. He wrote three books on the subject that he considered a trilogy. They are:

Orientalism

The Question of Palestine

and

Covering Islam

Also, here's a documentary that is largely an interview with Said on the topic of Orientalism.

And a documentary called "Reel Bad Arabs" that examines the way the middle east is portrayed by western media.

Wikipedia. Give me a fucking break. Try reading some books.

Here are some suggestions.

http://www.amazon.com/Birth-Israel-Myths-Realities/dp/0679720987/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1257019998&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Ethnic-Cleansing-Palestine-Ilan-Pappe/dp/1851685553/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1257020162&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Fateful-Triangle-Palestinians-Updated-Classics/dp/0896086011

http://www.amazon.com/Image-Reality-Israel-Palestine-Conflict-Revised/dp/1859844421/ref=pd_sim_b_1

http://www.amazon.com/Question-Palestine-Edward-W-Said/dp/0679739882/ref=pd_sim_b_2