Customer Reviews

Ben-Gurion: The Burning Ground, 1886-1948

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It's hard to imagine that there could be a more detailed biography of this titanic figure in 20th-century history. It's also an excellent introduction to the pre-State history of Israel. I lack the patience and attention span to plow through some of the minute descriptions of pre-State politics -- and there were plenty -- but that's my fault, not the book's. The author's tone is lively and engaging throughout, which helps to sustain interest.

When it comes to biographies the first thing any reader needs to recognize is that there are two reasons why an author will decide to write one; either they love their subject, or they hate their subject passionately. No one ever decides to devote years of their life researching a person they kind of find somewhat interesting. It is important to understand this from the beginning for any reader. So even with this knowledge at the fore, I still found this book to be an excellent look into this monumental figure. What I was most impressed by was the author's willingness to delve deeply into some of Ben-Gurion's many different faults. Teveth did a good job in trying to present a balanced picture despite his obvious admiration for Ben-Gurion.

I will start with some criticism first. The main problem I had with the book was that the title states that it follows Ben-Gurion up to 48 and the establishment of the state of Israel, but this is not in fact the case. For all intents and purposes this book really ends in 1944 with only 17 pages of the epilogue devoted to the preceding years. I found this to be very disappointing, and with the size of this book along with the large amount of space and time devoted to the more mundane aspects of Ben-Gurion's life it simply made no sense for the author to devote so little space to these years that were so important for the state of Israel and Ben-Gurion. The author should have just had the book end with WWII's end rather than give such a sparse rendering of the next three years.

One aspect I liked was the psychological areas. The author doesn't shy away from examining how BG's unique personality lead to such a great political career, while at the same time also lead to some of the shortcomings that caused most of the failings in his personal life. What is interesting from this psychological look is seeing what makes the political genius (animal?) really tick, and to see the similarities in personalities of all political genuises. The ability to seemingly see into the future and see strength or potential advantage where others see only weakness and calamity is an amazing trait that is almost inherent in people like BG.

Another trait that can be a great boon or disaster depending on the situation is the ability to personify the political movement. This requires ability as well as ego that can turn into megalomania. BG had these characteristics, and what is very interesting is the study in contrasts between the political genius who become dictators and those like BG who remain confined by a representative process. While BG certainly had dictatorial tendencies, the movement remainded rooted in democratic principals, and even though he sometimes lead from so far out in front that he often times left his democratic principals behind as well, Ben Gurion was never one to abandon them all together. Even though like most great politicians principals seemed too often to be tools of their ambition easily discarded for new principals if situation demands them. One is left to wonder what might have been had BG been more of dictator. What would have happened if some of his policies would have been adopted when he coined them such as "combative Zionism" instead of years later when the movement caught up with him?

The other interesting aspect of this book is the history. Anyone familiar with the Arab/Israeli conflict will due well giving this book a read because it goes a long way in an oblique way to explaining why there was such a resounding defeat for the Palestinians and the Arabs, and such a, seemingly, surprising victory for the Israelis. It is amazing to see the massive political work going on within the Jewish community from the beginning of the 20th century all the way through to establishment of the State in 48. The contrast between the nascent nationalism of the Palestinians and the enormous amount of work of the Jews (future Israelis) is quite stark indeed. Time and again, while reading this book, I would recall other books I have read that detailed the Palestinian movement at the same time, and would be blown away by the difference between the two. This book has deeply enhanced my understanding of the period after the declaration of the State and the War for Independence.

This is a great book that sheds a lot of light on BG the man, politician and the the political movement he helped create. No single individual has left a greater stamp on state as Ben-Gurion has on Israel. He deserves to be regarded in the upper echelons of political figures throughout history. This work gives the reader a great look into a great figure, while at the same time showing what makes for a great political leader leads to a terrible father, husband and friend. Ben-Gurion is an extraordinary figure, and this book does him justice. I recommend this work with one little suggestion; there are long sections describing personal interactions between BG and friends and girl friends he had along the way. Some are interesting, while many are needless digressions, but many are needlessly long because where a quick anecdote would suffice to show BG's state of mind instead pages are devoted to quoting correspondence that doesn't enhance the reading. These are quite easy to skip over for the reader who is uninterested in them.

I remmember when I was younger and I read of the heroic birth of the Jewish State and I saw the white haired Ben-Gurion strolling in the desert, walking the land he helped win for his people. He was a modern day King David(from whence his name comes). FOllowing in the footsteps of the modern day prophet Herzl.

I was very excited to read this book. These were the essential years of Ben Hurion and the essential yeas of the modern Jewish State. This was the time of the founding of the settlements, this was the time when Jewish land ownership in Palistine increased 10,000% and when Zionism stopped being a dream and became a reality.

Ben-Gurion was the engine of this. Emigrating to Israel after the turn of the century he helped dound the Jewish labourorganizations that came to dominate the Yishuv, eventually he steered the World Zionists away from Wiezman to support him, while at the same time opposing Revisionism(Manachem Begin and Jabotinsky).

THis book should have been a more interesting read but I found it focused to much on Gurions personala ffiars(his letters, afairs, feelings) and focused too much on the many little posts he held in numerous useless organizations(all of whom have been religated to the dustbin of history). THis book should have given his life more persepective by detailing the general modd of Israel and the amny events taking place while he lived their.

Yet instead of detailing Gurion AND the birth of Israel, this book only details GURION. What about the creation of the settlements? The land dispuits? THe birth of the Haganah? What about WWI and WWII. it seems much was skipped ehre because the author wanted to focus on the personal life of Gurion and his immense ego. I became a little bored and disiluusioned and time after time I had to read about some little useless speach Gurion gave at soem meeting no one remmembers.

THis book had greatness in it grasp for detailing such an amazing period(see 'One Palistine Complete' that is also a total let down of leftist rhetoric). I prefer books like 'terror out of Zion' Martin Gilberts 'Israel A history' and 'Blood and Fire' to this read. Maybe I will have to purchase the biography of Jabotinsky to learn more about this period because I was not enlightened with this volume. I doubt you will be either.