Customer Reviews

Warrior: An Autobiography

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Ariel Sharon is so demonized by so many in the Arab world and Liberal Jews and Israelis that I sought this book to hear his side of his incredible career and life. Having spent most of his life fighting for Israel's survival and combatting terrorism in every war and conflict, he illuminates the problems Israel faces and the nature of its Arab opposition.

Like a true warrior he is a man of peace. Those who have been in the carnage of battle want to avoid it the most, but he has enough insight to understand that compromises and shortcuts to accomodate other's deadlines and agendas only means sending your grandchildren off to war.

His stories of being in the frontline of Israel's historic battles are gripping military history; and his rise from a neophyte poltician to Israel's Prime Minister provides a rich introduction to Israeli politics. His efforts to develop trade and agricultural ties throughout the world is less known than his military and political career, but very important among his contributions.

But most of all I wanted to hear his account of the Lebanese war and specifically the massacres in Sabra and Shatilla. I have always been bewildered at how the murder of Moslems by Christians would lead to the villanization of a Jew. He explained his view how he was sacrificed by the international pressures and Israel's own political parties.

The fact that he was able to rise from this poltical abyss to become prime minister is a remarkable achievement. There is far more depth to this man than his opponents would want us to believe.

This book was an excellent read a must for those trying to understand the complexities of modern Israel, and a fascinating biography of the leading player on the middle eastern stage.

I read this book when it first came out three or four years ago.

It is a terrific read that brings together the history of modern Israel, the various wars starting with the war of independence in 1948 against the Arabs, including Iraq, and later his political career.

The book has a some good photographs and many wonderful war stories. One realizes how close Sharon came to ending his life on the battlefield.

I was struck by four things in the book. The first was Sharon's closeness to the land of Israel. He was born and grew up there, and joined the paratroopers when he was quite young. He was a true blue Israeli through and through. As a soldier he was admired by all including the PM, David Ben Gurion - who acted as defense minister. They had a direct relationship bypassing the generals, to the chagrin of many.

The second was the tragic story of his own life and how one child died of a gun accident, and then how his wife died, essentially leaving him alone in the world. The other was his battle - that he won in a New York court - to clear his name of the deaths in the camps in Lebanon.

Finally, we see a man that love the concept of peace with the Arabs. He was a tough man in many ways, but had realized that as a former soldier he had the credibility to make difficult decisions to force concessions to make a peace.

This is a great biography, and Sharon will be missed. We hold our breath and hope for his recovery.

A cunning soldier, a loving father and a controversial politician, these are the words I would decribe this man.

This book is a nice book indeed. It talks about his life in his own words. It talks about his life and Israel's domestic policies (Settlments in the West bank etc,) relation's with the USA and in the Arab World and the wars Israel fought in under Sharon's eyes.

I highly recommand this.

This book tells the story of a true Israeli hero. You will read about his life, his love and his battles...Where would Israel be today without Ariel Sharon...Although out of print, I managed to find a copy and I am happy I did!

Is a must for everyone who is interested in the Middle East current crisis.I was really taken by surprise to learn about this man,his sensitivity,his candid comments about his inner feelings. His detailed descriptions about the various battles fought can be at the same time exciting but also to burdensome to my taste. Nevertheless I think its a great book full of discoveries.I loved it

Few people are able to strip away the political crust of a situation and see the reality. Fewer still have the charisma, intelligence and devotion to choose to face that reality, rather than ignore it. Ariel's life story is in essence a series of personal insights into Israel's ongoing state of emergency, and his bravery and leadership in the face of foreign and domestic cowardice.

I think, after reading this book, that Israel, and the world, owe this man a very great debt indeed. Post Sept 11, the size of this debt has become more clear. As we applaud President Bush saying that terrorism is evil, we should remember that Sharon has been preaching the same tune for many years, and for many of those years, his was not the obvious position to take, but rather a very unpopular position. In fact, until recently, the idea that terrorism should be stomped out completely was thought to be, by many, fascist in nature.

But the truth is that terrorism is evil. Sharon has done more to uproot terrorism and destroy terrorists than anyone else I am aware of.

Some of the highlights for me were accounts from Sharon about his studying the land where many of his famous battles would be fought, and how his understanding each foot of the relevant terrain often made the difference between victory and defeat. His coexistence and friendships with arabs and other non-jews throughout his life was also very interesting, especially in light of some public opinion about him.

This was an amazing book....for anyone that would like to learn more about Ariel Sharon and the history of Israel!! Excellent details on the wars he fought and the Politics in Israel! What a truly amazing man!!

Warrior is one of the best biographies I ever read. Often, biographies bore me. Not Warrior. It is an incredible story of most certainly the most experienced terrorist fighter alive.

Sharon had a major role in all of Israel's wars and his insight is fascinating. His attention to detail is eerie, and this attention is what makes the book such a great read. Buy it, read it, and treasure it. I am.

This great soldier/leader outlines his fascinating life and his struggle for all that is good He starts with his childhood on a pioneer Moshav farm and explains how when ever he got tired his father would remind him 'Look how far we've come'and that would encourage him to go on This wisdom has guided him through his life and ensured that he has always triumphed over those mean spirits that have and (continue) to malign him

A very good book. It goes into a bit more depth with strategy and such than I could really grasp in a few spots, but on the whole I found it very interesting. Good descriptions of and insight into politics, history, and his accomplishments and ideas. I hadn't known how much he had done outside of the military before reading this book: founding Likud, advancing agriculture in Israel and in Africa, and forging relationships throughout the world for a fledgling Israel. A good book from a most impressive man.