Pity the Nation: The Abduction of Lebanon - by Robert Fisk

Pity the Nation, published in 1990 by journalist Robert Fisk, is a harrowing account of Lebanon’s civil war (1975–1990), blending eyewitness reporting with historical analysis. Fisk, a veteran Middle East correspondent, documents the conflict’s brutality, its complex factional dynamics, and the devastating impact of foreign interventions.The book begins with Lebanon’s descent into chaos, as religious and political divisions—between Christians, Muslims, Druze, and others—erupted into violence. Fisk details key events, such as the 1975 bus massacre that sparked the war, the 1982 Israeli invasion, and the Sabra and Shatila massacres, where Palestinian refugees were slaughtered by Christian militias under Israeli oversight. His firsthand accounts, including his presence during the massacres, are visceral and unflinching, capturing the human toll of sectarian violence.