Khalidi is one of the most influential Palestinian scholars and was the leader of the joint Palestinian-Jordanian delegation to the Middle East Peace Conference. He has been an outspoken critic of Middle Eastern politicians, including the Palestinians, and his essay "Thinking the Unthinkable" set out a vision of an independent Palestine that triggered a crucial debate among Palestinians and led the Palestinian National Council in 1988 to adopt a policy of mutual recognition and self-determination for both Isralis and Palestinians. This volume brings together Khalidi"s essays, including unpublished work, on the history and politics of the Arab-Israeli conflict.