Moshe Dayan: Story of My Life [Paperback]

Moshe Dayan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1992

"Moshe Dayan" is the autobiography of a soldier who never forgot his roots as a farmer, a loner who rose to the highest echelons of government. Here he describes his kibbutz childhood, his involvement in the Jewish underground, the battles he fought as the head of a commando unit in the War of Independence, his experiences as chief of staff and mastermind of the 1956 Sinai Campaign, and his tenure as Minister of Defence during the Six Day and Yom Kippur wars. One of the greatest generals in modern history, Dayan was also a man who hated the suffering that war brings, and who loved the land of Israel more than himself. He writes of his heroes, friends and enemies, providing candid portraits of Kissinger, Ben-Gurion, Golda Meir and other notables. This is a story of a brilliant soldier who grew up to be one of the most respected and heroic figures in the Middle East.

Product Details

• Paperback: 640 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Pr (September 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0306804972
• ISBN-13: 978-0306804977
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,429,394 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The history of Israel from a first-person perspective, September 16, 2001

By 

"mksmks" (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Moshe Dayan: Story of My Life (Paperback)

Despite the title, this book is not really a biography of Moshe Dayan. Rather, it is a remarkably thorough, extremely well-written historical account of the background, execution, and consequences of Israel's major military conflicts.

This book begins biographically, as Dayan gives the basic details of his family's immigration to Israel and his early life at Deganiah and Nahalal. However, once the author comes to the point where he becomes involved in military affairs, he concentrates solely on that subject, leaving all other matters behind. However, since Moshe Dayan is perhaps the most important military figure in the modern history of Israel, this focus and perspective is most welcome. Dayan is so focused on recounting military matters that he glosses over even his time as Israel's Minister of Agriculture.

Those reading this book will find it to be one of the most fascinating and engaging military histories ever written. Dayan has a true knack for storytelling, and keeps his readers interested despite the wealth of details and analysis that he manages to convey. He does so in a frank and clear manner, making this book accessible even to readers with only a basic background in the history of Israel.

The only major flaw in this book is its ending. Dayan spends the final few chapters defending his actions during the 1973 Yom Kippur War, resulting in a defensive, even bitter tone. Perhaps this is to be expected, as the book was written shortly after Dayan's acrimonious exit from public office. In his defense, however, Dayan does frame this book as a personal account, and not an objective history.

All in all, this is one of the best books on the subject of Israeli history available, and is a must-read for anyone interested in the subject.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a life!, February 11, 2001

By 

Martyn Richard Jones "Martyn Richard Jones" (Cordoba, Spain) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Moshe Dayan: Story of My Life (Paperback)

This is the best book I have ever read about Israel and the Middle East. Dayan's clarity of vision, his professionalism, his magnetism and quality of leadership have been brought to bear in creating a vivid account of a crucial period of Middle East history.

The book recounts the history and anecdotes of the re-creation of the state of Israel from its new roots in 1915 through to the war of idependence 1948-1952, in which Dayan played a key role. Other sections cover his role as Chief of Staff(1953-1957), his particpation as government minister and then his return to private life (1958-1967), The Six Day War (1967), the reconstruction and bridge building efforts (1967-1973), The Yom Kippur War (1973) and finally the aftermath (1973-1975).

Moshe Dayan was a great general who served his country with honor, dignity and courage in the hours of their most dire need. As a soldier he was brilliant and as a caring human being he was exceptional. This unsentimental book written in a refreshing and informative style, says as much about the man as about his history - brilliant!...

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dayan Recounts the Rise of Israel, August 2, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Moshe Dayan: Story of My Life (Paperback)

I bought this book expecting an account like a personal biography, i.e. military family, etc. Instead I have found an almost quasi-historical narrative of Israel from under the Ottoman Empire thru the British Mandate thru the War of Independance, Sinai campaign, Six-day war, Yom Kippur. Dayan's family worked on the collectives-farms and because of the need for self-defense became involved in the Hagganah and self-protection forces. After an arrest, he joins a British unit during WW2 and ascends in rank during the War of Independance to high command. He gives his impressions of politicians he works with; Including opposing arabs. The book is over 600 pages but Dayan writes an interesting and tight narrative that is hard to put down.