This relatively short but comprehensive history of Israel begins with the launching of Zionism, the Jewish political movement for the establishment of a home for the Jewish people in Palestine. Bregman, a professor at Webster University, London, posits that, rather than the fulfillment of a biblical prophecy, it was harsh reality that led to the birth and development of Israel. The book contains some material published for the first time: extracts from a radio exchange between air control and Israeli pilots during the Six-Day War, for example, which shows that the Israelis realized that the ship they were bombing was American, but nevertheless went on to attack it. Bregman reveals the facts about an Egyptian spy who worked for the Mossad and who betrayed the Israelis, and he details the protocol of a secret meeting between Foreign Minister Moshe Dayan and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat's emissary in Morocco in 1977. Bregman takes into account all the major issues involving Israel's history.
George CohenCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
Review
'A History of Israel includes new revelations...Bregman reveals new facts never- before-published about the senior Egyptian spy who worked for the Mossad and was nicknamed 'The Son-in-Law' on account of his family ties with President Nasser.' - Rami Tal,Yediot Aharonot 'A History of Israel is a fascinating book. An easy to read understanding of the recent history of Israel. Bregman has a unique insight into the behind the scenes history of Israel and its leaders.' - Jewish Books Online 'Complete with quotes from secret meetings and a drat of a 1992 secret agreement between Israel and Syria, the book is an easy-to-read guide to the politics of the Middle East.' - Jewish Chronicle 'Ahron Bregman's newly released book A History of Israel is a fascinating book. An easy to read understanding of the recent history of Israel. Bregman has a unique insight into the behind the scenes history of Israel and its leaders. Highly recommended both as a gift and required reading.' - Jewish Books Online 'A balanced examination of Israel's past...New insights, revelations appearing in print for the first time, and portraits of Israel leaders, past and present, are adeptly woven together with and overview of major events. This incisive book will be welcomed by all with an interest in the history of Israel.' - Middle East 'New insights, revelations appearing in print for the first time, and portraits of Israeli leaders, past and present, are adeptly woven together with an overview of major events. This incisive book will be welcomed by all with an interest in the history of Israel.' - Middle East 'Writing about an area as steeped in controversy as Israel can be a daunting task. Bregman, who has written extensively on Israeli history, does an excellent job in this text of offering unbiased and authoritative descriptions of the causes and consequences of the various conflicts that have arisen between the Israelis and the Arabs. Bregman takes looks at the history of Israel from a purely secular perspective, yet he does so without denigrating relious Jews, and others, who see the founding of the modern stated of Israel as the fulfillment of Biblical Prophecy...Into his compelling and historical narrative, Bregman has seamlessly interwoven newly uncovered information about Israel's past, as well as brief sketches of the major political figures that had a hand in shaping Israeli history...A History of Israel is ideal for the general reader wishing to learn about Israeli history in general, and as a resource by which to understand the current conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians...Overall, Bregman presents a comprehensive and readable introduction to modern Israeli history that is both educational and enthralling.' - Anna Dogole, The Jewish Eye 'A good read.' - Carmel Vassallo, Journal of Mediterranean Studies