A book like this is hard to review, but I think it is an important book and worth the time and energy to read.

Having previously read Footnotes in Gaza, I eagerly delved into Palestine. Originally published as a nine-issue comic series and collected in a two-volume collection, Sacco's eyewitness account of the Occupied Territories as the first Intifada was losing steam (1991-1992) is visually and emotionally stunning.

Sacco puts himself in the story- showing his irritation with endless cups of sugary tea, relating his seemingly heartless journalistic desire to have heard more about the injured and seen the graphic photos that deeply upset his photographer Saburo, and shaking like a leaf when he witnesses a demonstration and clash that is just one of many for residents of Ramallah. With the tone he takes--a play on his ambitions in the first chapter ('mission accomplished')--he displays for readers his own ignorance, Western attitudes, and naivete to let the images and stories stand in contrast to any glib, simplistic, or reductive lines of thought.

Some tales spread over several pages. Some are featured as a two page spread, a vivid snapshot. In all cases, Sacco uses the graphic novel form to good effect. 'Moderate Pressure Part II', for example, uses small squares of images in a grid to illustrate confines, repetition, the seemingly endless hours of sleep deprivation, and being tied, hooded, in uncomfortable positions. The frame around the images only expands when the imprisoned man is set free.

The enormity of injustice and suffering is overwhelming. 'That's that! A speedy interview! An entire tragedy in under 20 minutes...' (p.246)

This is the first political book that I might have actually learned something from. Or rather, this is the first middle east conflict book that didn't seem confusing and pointless. I'm not sure about the ending, it seems odd to end on an ellipsis.

DNF. Usually comic books suck me in! But this was a drudge.