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Churchill and the Jews: A Lifelong Friendship Hardcover – October 16, 2007

by Martin Gilbert (Author)

33 customer reviews

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An insightful history of Churchill's lifelong commitment--both public and private--to the Jews and Zionism, and of his outspoken opposition to anti-Semitism

Winston Churchill was a young man in 1894 when Captain Alfred Dreyfus, a Jewish officer in the French army, was convicted of treason and sent to Devil's Island. Despite the prevailing anti-Semitism in England as well as on the Continent, Churchill's position was clear: he supported Dreyfus, and condemned the prejudices that had led to his conviction.

Churchill's commitment to Jewish rights, to Zionism--and ultimately to the State of Israel--never wavered. In 1922, he established on the bedrock of international law the right of Jews to emigrate to Palestine. During his meeting with David Ben-Gurion in 1960, Churchill presented the Israeli prime minister with an article he had written about Moses, praising the father of the Jewish people.

Drawing on a wide range of archives and private papers, speeches, newspaper coverage, and wartime correspondence, Churchill's official biographer, Sir Martin Gilbert, explores the origins, implications, and results of Churchill's determined commitment to Jewish rights, opening a window on an underappreciated and heroic aspect of the brilliant politician's life and career.

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Product Details

Hardcover: 359 pages
Publisher: Henry Holt and Company; 1St Edition edition (October 16, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0805078800
ISBN-13: 978-0805078800
Product Dimensions: 6.4 x 1.1 x 9.5 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,119,044 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #2097 in Books > History > World > Jewish > Holocaust
- #2303 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Historical > Europe > Great Britain
- #3370 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Leaders & Notable People > Presidents & Heads of State

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Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars

5 star		76%
4 star		18%
3 star		3%
2 star		3%
1 star		0%

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful

Where would Israel have been without Churchill?

By Ben K. Harris on December 14, 2007

Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase

This is an exciting account of Churchill's relationship to the Jewish people from the earliest phase of his political career. He developed a strong bond with the developing state of Israel, and it seems unlikely, without his brilliant supportive speeches in parliament for several decades that we would have a state of Israel today. Gilbert does a superb job of bringing us up to date on Churchill's contributions, from the time of the Balfour declaration to Israel Statehood in 1948.

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16 of 17 people found the following review helpful

Outstanding work of history

By Michael Bussio on November 28, 2007

Format: Hardcover

This smart, well researched and readable book makes an often controversial subject easy to understand and easier still to be sympathetic towards. Famed author and historian, Sir Martin Gilbert offers us through direct sources, a simple yet profound road map in which we see Mr. Churchill navigate his way through his many relationships with Jews, and those opponents in his own political party, as well as the minefield which is Middle East politics. I for one, though a student of the Middle East never knew just how close Mr. Churchill was to the Jewish people, Zionism, and his continued support through out the decades for a Jewish state in the region.

"Some people like Jews and some do not, but no thoughtful `person' can doubt the fact that they are beyond all question the most formidable and most remarkable race which has ever appeared in the world" Winston Churchill

I strongly recommend this book for your reading pleasure, education, and enlightenment. It is an outstanding historical document.

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39 of 47 people found the following review helpful

A great leader and friend-

By Shalom Freedman HALL OF FAMETOP 1000 REVIEWER on October 18, 2007

Format: Hardcover

Martin Gilbert the official biographer of Winston Churchill is also well-versed in modern Jewish history. In this work he traces the lifelong attitude and relationship of Churchill to the Jewish people. He points out that Churchill's father was particularly friendly with Jews, and did something not done in his day, invited Jews to their home. As a young person Churchill thus had the acquaintance of Jewish friends of his father who he respected. Gilbert shows that Churchill throughout his life maintained this sympathetic attitude towards the Jews. He was a strong and enthusiastic supporter of the Zionist enterprise, and in 1917 a supporter of the Balfour Declaration.
In a review in the Sun Nancy Schleifer quotes Churchill ardently supporting the Jewish cause in the Holy Land,
"The Jews have developed the country, grown orchards and grain fields out of the desert, built schools and great buildings, constructed irrigation projects and water power houses and have made Palestine a much better place to live then it was before they came a few years ago. To Jewish enterprise, the Arab owes nearly everything he has. Fanaticism and a sort of envy have driven the Arabs to violence."
He during the first War defended Jewish friends who were falsely accused of disloyalty to Britain. Churchill believed that Biblical morality and teaching was the fundamental foundation- stone in the building of the ethics of humanity. Churchill believed that Jews being true to their religion and people could also be true and loyal to the various countries in which he lived.
Nonetheless he was wary of Jewish participation in world- communism and warned against this.Read more ›

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47 of 59 people found the following review helpful

Learn why Churchill was a Zionist and why Zionism is a Great Movement

By John Adam on November 21, 2007

Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase

I knew a fair amount about Winston Churchill and recognized his greatness but I did not know that he was a strong Zionist. Churchill's words are clear, his insight and knowledge rare among politicians. He recognized the evil of Nazism and Communism and recognized the contributions of the Jews and moral teachings of Judiasm. He saw the problems with Islam and the tribalness of Arabs. He knew the Jews needed to be restored to their historical homeland, which had been left a desert during the centuries of Ottoman rule. Churchill saw that Jews have as much right to a place in the Middle East as the Arabs, Turks and Persians. He knew that Israel would be an ally of the US and Britain and a beacon of modernity to the Arabs, which is part of the reason it has been attacked.

Martin Gilbert's lastest book is another significant work on Churchill and world history. We need more Churchills and Gilberts!

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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful

History lovers will find this most interesting

By Armchair Interviews on March 7, 2008

Format: Hardcover

Winston Churchill, for as long as he can remember, has been connected with Jews. Coming from a family with close Jewish ties, though not through blood, he has always had friends from this ethnicity. His father, Lord Randolph Churchill was often rebuked by the English aristocrats about his many Jewish friends. Learning about the biblical characters in his school, he was often fascinated with their stories and with their lives.

Martin Gilbert, Churchill's official biographer, draws on letters, speeches, newspaper articles and other resources to provide a clear depiction of his friendship with one of the most persecuted races in the world: the Jews.

Reading this book was very eye opening. I have always heard about Churchill through his famous quotes often featured at graduations and other ceremonies-and through those I had developed a certain respect for him. However, after reading this book, I consider him one of the greatest men who ever lived. Sure he had faults; he would be the first to admit that. But what set him apart was the fact that he was willing to stand up for what he believed in, even when popular opinion was against it. He was an ardent supporter for a Jewish state and played a key role in bringing that to pass. Many considered his love for Jews one of his major faults; however, he was not swayed by what others thought him.

Martin Gilbert's portrayal of Churchill and his relationship with Jews is very enlightening. It explores this often-neglected topic, captivating the readers from the very beginning as it traces his first Jewish friendships to his Jewish friends he had during the time he was Prime Minister. I really enjoyed this book that also includes photographs that chronicle his relationship with them.

Armchair Interviews says: Highly recommended to any history buff!

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

Five Stars

Well written. Informative

Published 5 days ago by IDG

Disappointing.

This thin volume did not provide any new insight into Churchill's character or British attitudes toward the Middle East. Read more

Published 3 months ago by S. Bassin

Beautifully written. Am only half way through

Beautifully written. Am only half way through, but will read it to the very end. The historical details are gratifyingly noted.

Published 4 months ago by Ruth Holtzman

this is a wonderful read. One could argue that Israel wouldn't exist...

If your at all interested in history, Jews or both, this is a wonderful read. One could argue that Israel wouldn't exist without the help of Churchill.

Published 4 months ago by Clifford Sarokoff

Churchill & the Jews

When it comes to Churchill, Martin Gilbert is the authority. Churchill "liked" the Jews. This is a decent & informative read.

Published 6 months ago by Rob W.

... had borrowed this at first from the library and enjoyed it so much

I had borrowed this at first from the library and enjoyed it so much, both the information and the fine writing style, that I felt it was a volume I wanted to purchase to own and... Read more

Published 7 months ago by Wendy

Informative on a topic important to me

The book is informative on a topic that's important to me, and is pretty easy to read and follow.

Published 11 months ago by Toby

An Unknown History Revealed

Sir Martin Gilbert has revealed elements of Churchill's relationship with the Jews that will be bound to become essential reading for students of Jewish history. Read more

Published 13 months ago by Zak S

An unknown history of an important relationship .

This is a book that should be read by all interested in recent European history as well as the life of Churchill. Read more

Published 17 months ago by lisl gershon

Very well written

The author does an excellent job of documenting the relationship of Churchill with the Jewish community. Read more

Published 21 months ago by Steve D. Howell