-Planting Hatred, Sowing Pain is an important contribution....[t]he reader indirectly experiences the hatred and fears lived by ordinary human beings on both sides. For this alone, the book is worthwhile. —Israel Horizons

-The persistence of the conflict between Israel and Palestinians cannot be accounted for by political factors, says Salinas, so he looks for obstacles to peace in the psychological realm. Among the psychological factors he finds central to the conflict and its resolution are stereotypes and prejudices, extremism, trauma, and reconciliation. —Jewish Ledger

-Through extensive interviews (with Jews conducting those with Jews and Palestinians conducting those with Palestinians to assure that both sides are fairly represented), he explores the psychological factors that have made the situation seemingly stuck in granite. He begins by summarizing the history of the conflict and then each chapter explores in turn prejudice, pain, hatred and hope. Most of this won't be new to people who have read about the damaging affects of prejudice and trauma, but through the substantial detail and juxtaposition of the voices of Palestinians and Israelis, we can see that they experience trauma in the same way. This goes a long way in creating empathy and breaking down stereotypes....The extensive interviews needed for his book brought him into the heart of individual suffering for both Israelis and Palestinians. Although he understood this trauma intellectually, he found himself deeply shocked and saddened at the suffering of the Palestinians who were interviewed. —Reference & Research Book News