Amazon has removed a book called The History of the Palestinian People: From Ancient Times to the Modern Era from its online store, after numerous complaints that the work was comprised of 132 blank pages.

The book, which at one point was in the top 400 on Amazon’s best-seller list, was published in the name of Assaf Voll, who has a Masters in Jewish Studies from the University of Haifa.

Mr Voll told the United with Israel site that Amazon had sent him a message saying that “during a quality assurance review of your CSP catalogue, we found that your book(s) are resulting in a disappointing customer experience. Indicators of a poor customer experience may include customer refunds and feedback. As a result, the following book(s) have been removed from sale on Amazon.”

However, he said that “there was no intention of deceiving anyone”, pointing out that clicking the Preview button would have shown any prospective buyers the book’s content – or lack of it.

He also pointed out that “there are other empty books on Amazon, one of which was even a bestseller that topped the sales table, titled, ‘Reasons to Vote for Democrats: A Comprehensive Guide’.”

Prior to its removal from Amazon, Mr Voll tweeted some of the positive feedback from people who had purchased it via the site.

“A succinct and to the point book”, wrote one happy customer, who rated his purchase at five stars out of five. “No unnecessary words. Truly a masterpiece!”

Another reviewer left a comment saying that he was “looking forward to the audio version” of the book.

Despite no longer being available for purchase via Amazon, the book is still being sold by other websites. As of Thursday, it was ranked at number 16 on the Barnes & Noble best-sellers list, after The Jewish Press reported that it had been removed from Amazon but was still available elsewhere.