By Aaron David Miller
Miller states that in many situations the U.S. government was biased to the Israeli point of view. This candid confession coming from someone with Miller's credentials and upbringing is highly credible and has great value. He believes firmly that in many cases US officials were overly sympathetic with the Israeli case at the expense of the Arab and Palestinian position, which he feels may have been one of the reasons for the failed peace talks.
The author is a witness to history. In his book he offers a personal account of the piece of history he was part of and provides an analysis of what he believes went wrong and what went right. Readers will find interviews with three former presidents, nine secretaries of state (including Rice), four national security advisers and nearly 150 other U.S. and foreign officials.
Miller clearly admires James Baker and Carter while in many ways criticizes Clinton's approach to the peace process. He believes that in order for the peace talks to have a chance for success the U.S. government should take a tough stance towards their Israeli counterpart.
The book provides a critical political analysis of how the peace process reached this point as well as suggestions on which direction the process should follow to move forward from here. Suggestions which, no doubt, could make this book of great value to current officials. But what is truly unique about this book is that the author gives the reader a rare chance to see what really happens on negotiating tables and behind the scenes.
He ends his book with hope that peace is possible but declares that the process needs a new and different approach which he hopes this administration will adopt. Anyone who has a special interest in the Arab-Israeli conflict will enjoy reading this book and will most definitely find it interesting and informative.
