This book by Akram Hijazi delves deep into the societal underpinnings that led to the Palestinian Nakba, or catastrophe, spanning the crucial period from 1858 to 1948. Hijazi meticulously examines the evolving social structures, economic transformations, and political dynamics within Palestinian society under Ottoman and British Mandate rule. He uncovers how internal developments and external pressures, including Zionist settlement, reshaped the demographic and social fabric, setting the stage for the events of 1948. The book offers a critical analysis, providing indispensable insights into the historical context and long-term consequences of this pivotal era for Palestine.