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Lawrence Wright's "The Human Scale" has some powerful observations. But two impressions stand out. The first is the seeming hopelessness of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. The second is that journalism, the kind practiced by Mr. Wright is invaluable in sorting fact from fiction. And even though this work is more lecture than theatre, the material is so insightful, we can excuse the dry delivery. For anyone who has ever held an opinion on the nightmarish situation in the Gaza Strip, "The Human Scale" is essential viewing.

It begins with a video of a young Israeli soldier who was taken hostage four years ago by Hamas and held in exchange for the release of a thousand and later 1,400 Palestinian prisoners. Our sympathies naturally lie with the Israelis at first, but not for long.

Wright methodically tells the story of this troubled region of earth which has been occupied by warring factions for thousands of years. During that time the monotonous conflict borne of hatred and bigotry has led to a constant pageant of revenge, as Wright so articulately explains. And amid scenes of the most brutal bloody attacks, we discover that taking sides is the crux of the problem. Peace is elusive because neither side is willing to stop the cycle of violence.

The sad truth which Wright so clearly points out is that the prejudice is so deeply engrained in both cultures -- even among the youngest of children -- it will take generations for any hope of peaceful coexistence.

Wright has a lot to say, managing to explain the most complex issues with great clarity. And thanks to Oskar Eustis' fine directorial hand, making the most of audio visual aids, the talk never bogs down.

Wright is clearly no actor but this Pulitzer Prize winning writer, describing the Gaza Strip as a demographic timebomb, delivers an utterly explosive work. And while there are sure to be complaints of bias in "The Human Scale," Wright, like the best journalists, finds balance in the truth.