Filled with behind-the-scenes stories and revelations about the youngest Israeli prime minister ever, "Netanyahu" provides a biography of a man both loathed and admired. of photos.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
The authors, who have written about former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres and current Labor Party leader Ehud Barak, take the reader on a superficial tour of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's life. They focus on his influences: the extreme right-wing leanings of his family, the importance of America (where he twice lived for lengthy periods of time) and the death of his older brother in the 1976 Israeli rescue of hostages at the Entebbe airport. Caspit and Kfir show how Netanyahu's powerful ambition and strong work ethic helped propel him from a political attache at the Israeli Embassy and a frequent guest on ABC's Nightline in 1982 into the prime minister's office in 1996. To their credit, they mention his role in the inflammatory rhetoric that culminated in the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin in 1995, but otherwise there's little analysis. Shallow psychological diggings, such as that Netanyahu "was a 'middle child,' always struggling for his father's recognition and his mother's love," are left fallow. Other comments, such as that Netanyahu "was never the kind of man to pick up women," appear ludicrous in light of his three marriages and his celebrated affair in 1993 that caused a scandal in Israel and bears some similarities to Bill Clinton's current troubles. Netanyahu is often described as slick and lacking in profundity; unfortunately, this book fits that description as well.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Biographical, though not a full-fledged biography, this book by two Israeli journalists traces Bibi Netanyahu's life up to his election as Israel's prime minister in 1996. Caspit and Kfir cover the main influences on his life, such as the death of his brother during a hostage rescue, but these are nuggets amid quite a few tailings. In passages this book wanders about like a fan magazine, explaining Bibi's gustatory habits in one moment, extolling his political determination in another, and elsewhere trashing his wife as a tasteless parvenu. The nadir occurs in a page describing how Bibi met the crisis of a clerical error in one of his campaign letters. The authors' justification for reporting such trivia is that it shows lessons he learned in the army. Netanyahu's actual career in the army lends better perspective on his personality than any subsequent handling of letters, as the reader discovers in Bibi's firefights as a member of an antiterrorist unit. It's a patchy performance, but delivers enough basic biographical information to permit a recommendation. Gilbert Taylor
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bibi, will we see you again?,
By A Customer
This review is from: Netanyahu: The Road to Power (Hardcover)
This book is a great book on the former PM of Israel. It gives an inside look into his life and gives the reader a close up of the Israel political scene and how things are done. At times, it also steps into his bedroom and examines his relationship with his wife, at times giving the reader details that Netanyahu probably would not want made public. He was and still is an important man in Israeli politics and the role he will play in the future, if any, is still unknown, but this biography is the only book on him available in the US. It is written so well that there is no need for any other and if you want an inside look at the man known as "Bibi" or you just want to learn more about Israeli politics, pick up this book.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Bibi Netanyahu, Israel's first American prime minister,
By A Customer
This review is from: Netanyahu: The Road to Power (Hardcover)
This fast-moving book offers a profound insight into the character of Israel's Prime Minister. As well as exciting accounts of his army service in the prestigious General Staff Reconnaisance Unit the book describes Bibi's less than successful business career.Kfir and Caspit depict Bibi Netanyahu as an opportunistic rabble rouser, who rose to power in the aftermath of the Rabin assassination and the book gives graphic accounts of the atmosphere leading to the assassination and Bibi's part in the incitement. The book describes his relationships with his three wives and supplies a chilling analysis of his latest wife, former air hostess, Sarah Netanyahu, and the power she has over him - with juicy accounts of her tantrams and hysterics both at home and abroad. An excellent read for anyone interested in politics in general, in Israel and in the middle east. But it is also a fascinating biography in its own right.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fascinating and Insightful Book,
By A Customer
This review is from: Netanyahu: The Road to Power (Hardcover)
A fascinating and compelling book, whick brings to light the personality and political motivations of one of Israel's most controversial leaders. As you read about Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu's early life you can't help to have some admiration for the man. How he overcame obstacles and possessed a vibrant determination in his youth is inspiring. It also helps explain many mysteries about the Netanyahu and his political views. It also contains many interesting tidbits about Netanyahu's personal life and his three wives, and his tendency to be unfaithful. An all around facsinating and entertaining books whichs finally explains Benjamin Netanyahu, and inspires one at the same time. If you are interested in the middle east,politics, or judaism I strongly recommend this book!
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