The Rise of Israel: A History of a Revolutionary State (Israeli History, Politics and Society) [Paperback]

Jonathan Adelman (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0415775108 | ISBN-13: 978-0415775106 | Publication Date: April 13, 2008 | Edition: 1

The state of Israel is one of the most controversial countries in the world. Yet, its unique creation and rise to power in 1948 has not been adequately explained either by its friends (mainstream Zionists) nor by its detractors (Arabists and post-Zionists).

Using a variety of comparative methodologies; from contrasting the Jewish state to other minorities in the Ottoman Turkish Empire to the rise of the four Tigers in Asia to newly independent countries and revolutionary socialist countries in Europe and Asia, Jonathan Adelman examines how Israel has gained the strength to overcome great obstacles and become a serious regional power in the Middle East by 2007.

Themes addressed include:

• how the creation of Israel is strikingly different from that of most new states, as undetermined by the major structural forces in the world in the twentieth century
• how voluntarist forces, those of individual choice, will and strategy, played a major role in its creation and success
• in-depth analysis of the creation of a revolutionary party, government, army and secret police as critical to the success of the socialist revolution (1881–1977)
• the enormity of the forces aligned against the state; from major international and religious organizations representing billions of people, international reluctance to helping Israel in crisis, and internal Israeli and Jewish issues
• the tremendous impact of revolutionary (socialist and semi-capitalist nationalist) factors in giving Israel the strength to survive and become a significant regional power over time.

Jonathan Adelman provides a fresh perspective to view one of the most controversial states in the world and avoids the highly charged ideological descriptions that often plague such discussions. Understanding the rise of Israel, a central state in the region, helps to explain a great deal about the Middle East today.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Superbly researched and passionately argued, The Rise of Israel fills a glaring gap in the study of Zionism and the Jewish State. Taking on the academic establishment view of Israel as the embodiment of militarism and Western imperialism, Jonathan Adelman has revealed Israel's achievements--often in the face of incalculable adversity--in the fields of science, technology, democracy, and the arts. The Rise of Israel is an essential book for any student of Israel and the modern Middle East. Michael Oren, Georgetown University, USA

Professor Jonathan Adelman develops a fresh perspective (on how) Israel came to be the only innovative, revolutionary first-world democracy in the Middle East.The Rise of Israel is essential reading for those who want to understand how the Jewish state has overcome so many threats in the past and how it has the power to do so today and in the years ahead.Near East Report, April 2008

The Rise of Israel takes a fascinating, refreshing and inspiring approach to the history of the Jewish state. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand how Israel has not only survived but flourished over the sixty years since its founding. Orde Kittrie, Arizona State University

'...A Summation of the Zionist counter-argumentation, ... providing novice readers with a useful introduction to a right-of-center Iasraeli perspective of the Middle East conflict.' - M. Gershovich, University of Nebraska, Omaha, Choice, June 2009

 

About the Author

Jonathan Adelman, who teaches at the Graduate School of International Studies at the University of Denver, has written 11 books on Russian and Chinese politics, revolutions and security studies. Having taught at Hebrew University and the University of Haifa, he applies his knowledge of revolutions and international affairs to explaining the creation and flourishing of Israel.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (April 13, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415775108
• ISBN-13: 978-0415775106
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,229,282 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding and original account of the success story which is mdoern Israel, July 16, 2009

By 

Shalom Freedman "Shalom Freedman" (Jerusalem,Israel) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Rise of Israel: A History of a Revolutionary State (Israeli History, Politics and Society) (Hardcover)

I have read many books about Israel. I have lived here for over thirty years. I thought I knew its story and history well. But this book provided me both a wealth of information and a perspective I had not had before. The author does a tremendous service by emphasizing the 'impossibile odds' faced by those who wished to create modern Israel. He details the long- shot historically, the many factors working to make Israel's success extremely unlikely. He points out that only five percent of the four- thousand or so peoples in the world have succeeded in creating nations. He writes in telling detail about the obstacles the Jews faced including two- thousand years without a real military tradition, or a connection with the Land. He says it was through revolutionary change, both Socialist and Capitalist that Israel came into being. He provides perspective by comparing Israel's story with that of other nations and peoples. He rightfully cites certain moral characteristics, including the will and dedication of individual Israeli citizens , which made the impossible, possible. He does a very good job of outlining all the negative factors which make Israel's success seem improbable. In 1947-48 there were experts including American Secretary of State George Marshall who thought Israel would last somewhere from two days to two weeks. Adelman says the Jews then were outnumbered six- hundred fifty - thousand against fifty million. He points out how the demographic imbalance to this day helps make it seem as if Israel's very staying alive is a kind of miracle.
Adelman is not uncritical of Israel, and sees that it has shown certain signs of weakness as in failing to decisively defeat Hizbollah in 2006. But what is great about this book is that the author is aware of and celebrates Israel's accomplishments. While its neighbors wallowed in a sea of backwardness Israel moved ahead to now be among the first- tier countries of the world in quality of life, and standard of living. Israel has developed new medical and scientific technologies which have been of service to Mankind. It has not been defeated by the many enemies that have wished to destroy it. It has done remarkable work in resettling immigrants from over eighty countries and providing them opportunites for new lives.
In a world which Israel is slandered day and night by hate-filled propaganda this work comes as a fresh breath of air. It is a reminder of the truth of what the Jewish state is.
This is a book which should be on the shelf of every true student of the Middle East.