Palestine
Palestine by Joe Sacco Journalist Joe Sacco visited Palestine for a couple of months during the first Intifada, the early 1990s, and reported in graphic form. Very graphic. There are the muddy streets and tiny houses of the camps, the torture, even an honor killing. Also, a whole lot of sitting in rooms full of men, drinking tea and talking. The bumpy, less-beautiful than reality pictures are punctuated with wavy wedges of text describing what he’s seeing, gritty days in Palestine alternating with sparkly, modern nights in Jerusalem. This is not book with a coordinated message or a neat ending. It’s reality, as told to the author by people on both sides. While Israel doesn’t come off looking like the noble saviors of democracy in the Middle East the politicians talk about, the Palestinians are equally racist, and fighting for traditions that are bluntly appalling. If you’re looking for a jumping-off point into modern history of the area, this is a good one. Pair it with Rutu Modan’s Exit Wounds for views from both sides of the road blocks.