Much Too Promised Land, the

For nearly twenty years, Aaron David Miller has played a central role in U.S. efforts to broker Arab-Israeli peace. His position as an advisor to presidents, secretaries of state, and national security advisors has given him a unique perspective on a problem that American leaders have wrestled with for more than half a century. Why has the world's greatest superpower failed to broker, or impose, a solution in the Middle East? If a solution is possible, what would it take? And why after so many years of struggle and failure, with the entire region even more unsettled than ever, should Americans even care? Is Israel/Palestine really the much too promised land? As a historian, analyst, and negotiator, perhaps no one is more qualified to answer these questions than Aaron David Miller. Without partisanship or finger-pointing, Miller lucidly and honestly records what went right, what went wrong, and how we got where we are today. Here is an insider's view of the peace process from a place at the negotiating table, filled with unforgettable stories and colorful behind-the-scenes anecdotes. Here, too, are new interviews with all the key players, including Presidents Carter, Ford, Bush forty-one, all nine U.S. secretaries of state, as well Arab and Israeli leaders, who disclose the inner thoughts and strategies that motivated them. The result is a book that shatters all preconceived notions to tackle the complicated issues of culture, religion, domestic politics, and national security that have defined--and often derailed--a half century of diplomacy. Honest, critical, and certain to be controversial, this insightful first-person account offers a brilliant new analysis of the problemof Arab-Israeli peace and how, against all odds, it still might be solved.

Review :
"A revealing and well-written memoir.... Miller fills his pages with real characters and sly observations... [and] sobering tales from the front."--"The New York Times" "Aaron Miller has written the most definitive and insightful work on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the attempts to mediate it. He possesses a depth of experience and understanding of this complex situation that is unmatched by anybody else who has participated in this process. His passion, intellect, knowledge, and common sense were invaluable in our tenure as mediators. The Much Too Promised Land is a must read for those who desire a true understanding of the most critical peace issue of our time."--"General Anthony C. Zinni USMC (Retired)" "This book is absolutely necessary reading for anyone who cares about a Middle East peace. Aaron David Miller recounts the history of negotiations based on his deep personal involvement. Not only is it a fascinating tale, it helps us better understand the soluti "A revealing and well-written memoir.... from political innocent to a tough maurity.... While Mr. Miller does not prescribe a revolutionary remaking of the peace process, he does devote much of this volume to puncturing what he considers American illusions in the hope that the next round of diplomacy will be successful."--"New York Times" "Aaron Miller has written the most definitive and insightful work on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the attempts to mediate it. He possesses a depth of experience and understanding of this complex situation that is unmatched by anybody else who has participated in this process. His passion, intellect, knowledge, and common sense were invaluable in our tenure as mediators. The Much Too Promised Land is a must read for those who desire a true understanding of the most critical peace issue of our time."--"General Anthony C. Zinni USMC (Retired)" "This book is absolutely necessary reading for anyone who cares about a Middle East peace. Aaron David Miller recounts the history of negotiations based on his deep personal involvement. Not only is it a fascinating tale, it helps us better understand the solution that someday will be possible."-"Walter Isaacson, author of Einstein: His Life and Universe" "Aaron David Miller presents a candid insight into the Middle East peace process. His storytelling gifts make the pages difficult to resist as he moves from anecdote to analysis, and offers an intimate portrayal of the minds and personalities of the major players. This is an unpredictable and challenging book." --"George J. Mitchell" "Aaron David Miller shines a floodlight on the workings of America's Middle East policy. He has written therarest kind of diplomatic history--both knowing and accessible. This is a book peopled by large, historic figures--Arabs, Israelis, and Americans, and Aaron Miller renders them with artistry. He was there as this diplomatic history was made, and he distills it for his readers with honesty and wisdom and no small measure of irreverence. A superb and exquisitely rendered book."--"Fouad Ajami, Majid Khadduri Professor of Middle East Studies, Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies" "In this absorbing volume, as one who participated in numerous high level negotiations on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Aaron Miller offers both information and insight to interested and concerned readers."--Elie Wiesel "Illuminating... the value of the book is its rich and colorful history of past negotiations, and Miller's sharp-edged analysis of what went wrong and right. Memo to the secretary of state: The next time you head off to Jerusalem, throw out some of those briefing papers to make room for this book in your briefcase."--"Washington Post" "Extraordinary.... Miller evinces genuine compassion for both sides in the conflict ... while maintaining a detachment that allows him to draw hard conclusions.... Miller's writing is both approachable and deeply smart."-"Publishers Weekly," starred review "Combines memoir with what might be called a primer on diplomacy.... Recommended reading for the next administration, if not this one."-"Kirkus Reviews" "Insightful.... [Including] a nuanced meditation on the interface between U.S. domestic politics and the situation in the middle East.... A spirited and intimate account."--"Foreign Affairs" "Aaron Miller has written the most definitive and insightful work on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the attempts to mediate it. He possesses a depth of experience and understanding of this complex situation that is unmatched by anybody else who has participated in this process. His passion, intellect, knowledge, and common sense were invaluable in our tenure as mediators. The Much Too Promised Land is a must read for those who desire a true understanding of the most critical peace issue of our time."--"General Anthony C. Zinni USMC (Retired)" "This book is absolutely necessary reading for anyone who cares about a Middle East peace. Aaron David Miller recounts the history of negotiations based on his deep personal involvement. Not only is it a fascinating tale, it helps us better understand the solution that someday will be possible."-"Walter Isaacson, author of Einstein: His Life and Universe " "Aaron David Miller presents a candid insight into the Middle East peace process. His storytelling gifts make the pages difficult to resist as he moves from anecdote to analysis, and offers an intimate portrayal of the minds and personalities of the major players. This is an unpredictable and challenging book." --"George J. Mitchell" "Aaron David Miller shines a floodlight on the workings of America's Middle East policy. He has written the rarest kind of diplomatic history--both knowing and accessible. This is a book peopled by large, historic figures--Arabs, Israelis, and Americans, and Aaron Miller renders them with artistry. He was there as this diplomatic history was made, and he distills it for his readers with honesty and wisdom and no small measure of irreverence. Asuperb and exquisitely rendered book."--"Fouad Ajami, Majid Khadduri Professor of Middle East Studies, Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies " "In this absorbing volume, as one who participated in numerous high level negotiations on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Aaron Miller offers both information and insight to interested and concerned readers."--Elie Wiesel "Extraordinary.... Miller evinces genuine compassion for both sides in the conflict ... while maintaining a detachment that allows him to draw hard conclusions.... Miller's writing is both approachable and deeply smart."-"Publishers Weekly," starred review "Combines memoir with what might be called a primer on diplomacy.... Recommended reading for the next administration, if not this one."-"Kirkus Reviews ""Insightful.... [Including] a nuanced meditation on the interface between U.S. domestic politics and the situation in the middle East.... A spirited and intimate account."--"Foreign Affairs"