Footnotes in Gaza

Like Sacco’s Palestine this book provides a contrary view of the history and status of Gaza. Unlike the establishment view reflected in most MSM articles and news coverage, it brings up the unpleasant reality that Israel has long coveted the territory. Unlike most accounts of the relationship it addresses the massacre by Israeli troops of large numbers of Palestinians during the little-noted 1956 war. The 1956 war was undertaken by Israel in connivance with Britain and France. Look it up.Unfortunately the book was published in 2009 and cannnot therefore cover the repeated deadly assaults on Gaza by Israel. The notion that the current genocidal attacks by Israel on Gaza, though prompted by a real atrocity, is unique fails to move me given the earlier thousands killed in previous “operations” like “Cast Lead.”I hope readers will come away with a sense of Palestinian humanity. In the midst of this now near two-month long campaign campaign against the people of Gaza and its less-noted campaign against Palestinians in the Occupied West Bank.

Joe Sacco had already developed an important graphic work, well worth of its recognition, looking at personal research in conflict zones such as the former Yugoslavia or the Palestine revisited in these "Footnotes in Gaza". The frustration of an uneven and often untold conflict shines through the research of the events and killings of Khan Younins and Rafah well over fifty years ago with poignant relevance.The graphic narrative driven out of his personal-research where he becomes another character, another agent in the conflict, is truly outstanding. Sacco offers an intriguingly open and critical account of his efforts and perceptions as he explores the events of the 1956 killing in Palestine, while he visits a region about to witness the US war against Iraq that would topple the regime of Hussein. In doing so, not only he reveals a poignant account about the difficulties and importance of recuperating memories, even the smaller ones, but leaves a trite and cogent account of the past and current circumstances faced by Palestine.Exploring these footnotes in history, sure enough will unfold universal truths for those willing to pick them up, but more importantly sets a memorable and committed effort to develop a graphic journalism with a cause, explored with rigor, on the ground, and setting new narratives worth sharing with a passion.

A powerful work for it’s personal truth telling and gritty reality; no façade or pleasantries here. Digs under the skin and demands reading from the heart.Hopefully to effect a softening and crumbling of American walls of complacency. Don’t walk here unless you are willing to confront your conscience.

Havent read this yet in its entirety but it is pretty intense and so the graphic aspect of it makes the messages, story line, and facts more palpable and understandable. I would definitely reccomend this to anyone wanting to understand the issues with Palestine espeacially an adolescent.

Every member of Congress should be required to read "Footnotes" and spend a week in Gaza before approving more military aid to Israel. And every presidential candidate, too.

Thank you to Pulitzer Prize winner Chris Hedges for the recommendation!!!

In Footnotes in Gaza, Sacco really humanizes the conflicts that define the middle east in our current century. Probing deep into the past – 50 years when he wrote it, 60 years now – show how much things are the same in the Gaza strip.But he doesn’t try to take the information from the contemporary times or the history he seeks to over-generalize the conflict, just trying to say that these things are happening. That we see them from the Palestinian viewpoint helps to make their cause more sympathetic. They just want to live their lives. I bet that the Israelis would say the same thing. For me, though, I am sympathetic towards the more indigenous people than the ones who have had the support of two global hegemons to suppress the natives (and it is hard to speak of natives, as so many nations have flown their flags over that land).The endnotes are some of the most interesting parts, where Sacco pulls the transcripts and you can see how some of the things he draws are shaped by the interviews he did, even though the graphic section is more compelling.

I bought this book for school and I received it in the condition it was promised. Overall, I'm happy with my purchase, just not so happy with the home work :)

History and geography absolutely important that we are knowledgeable about where we come from and our collective pasts and shared histories. AMAZON STOP SUPPORTING ISRAEL

This has more than 400 pages, yet I felt sad that the book ended. This book explores Palestine issue and especially what happened in 1956 in the gaza strip. Just like his other books (Palestine, Journalism, etc.), we continue to be shocked by inhumane nature of the powerful.I wish more people do comics journalism. I consider it as more potent than written and TV journalism.

First time I read a Joe Sacco's work and his style definitely caught me. Drawings are amazingly detailed and the story is smoothly and interestingly readable. Recommend it.

I found this book gave me a lot more insight into the latest conflict between the Israli Government and the people of Palestine.Joe Sacco has done a marvellous job in describing his time in Gaza, and doesn't seem to be "taking sides", as he questions the people of Gaza and their recollections and beliefs just as much as he seeks information into the reasons behind his visits. Inside the "comic book pages", we're exposed to the past horrors of repressive regimes and appreciate the far greater horrors being inflicted on the present-day Palestinian people.Essential reading for anyone seeking to learn about the issues behind the current conflict. A powerful book.

The world needs more investigative journalists like Joe Sacco.