-the book I mentioned is a reliable history of events in Israel and surrounding areas during the past 70 years

It is highly contentious and disputed by many other historians.
" Karsh criticised Shlaim in the Times Literary Supplement for ignoring Arab aggressive intent and accused him of leaving out the Arab-Palestinian side to the conflict. Shlaim does downplay Arab aggression as part of his overall argument,"

A lengthy review here,http://www.history.ac.uk/reviews/review/153