Yaacov Herzog: A Biography [Hardcover]

Michael Bar Zohar (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2005

On September 24, 1963, Yaacov Herzog arrived for an appointment at a London clinic. He was not there to see the doctor, but "Charles"—the pseudonym of King Hussein of Jordan. These secret meetings continued for nine years, during which time Herzog also covertly negotiated a agreement with the Imam of Yemen during that country's civil war, wove a web of contacts with Lebanon's Christian community, and met other world leaders. A rabbi, erudite scholar, and gifted diplomat, Herzog was one of the shining stars in Israel's leadership. He served as a close advisor to four Israeli prime ministers, and was ambassador to Canada. Herzog became best known for his public debate with renowned British historian Professor Arnold Toynbee, who had described the Jews as a "fossilized" nation and compared Israel's military actions against Palestinians to Nazi atrocities. Herzog immediately invited Toynbee to a public debate, reminiscent of medieval debates between Jewish and Christian scholars. Herzog's performance bested Toynbee and won international accolades.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Michael Bar-Zohar is the author of the official biography of David Ben Gurion. He has also written thirty non-fiction books, and has been translated into sixteen languages.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Halban Publishers (March 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1870015932
• ISBN-13: 978-1870015936
• Product Dimensions: 1.5 x 5.8 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,991,287 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Born in Bulgaria, grew up in Israel, studied in Jerusalem and in France (Ph.D. in Political Science), fought in four Israeli-Arab wars (1956, 1967, 1973, 1982), spent nine years beside David Ben-Gurion, Israel's founder, became a fervent supporter of peace between Israel and her neighbors, served two terms in Parliament, Professor at Haifa University then at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, represented Israel at the Council of Europe, wrote more than 30 books and a few screenplays,won several awards including the French Academy award, the Ben-Gurion award, the International migration award and was knighted by the President of France as Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Brilliant, September 22, 2005

By 

Seth J. Frantzman (Jerusalem, Israel) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Yaacov Herzog: A Biography (Hardcover)

Yaacov Herzog's name will never be famous but he was, in Isaiah Berlins words "one of the most attractive and morally most impressive human beings". Herzog was a descendant of a major Rabbinical family, his father was the Chief Rabbi of Ireland and then Israel, a family of Torah scholars immersed in Zionism and progressive for their time, perhaps more progressive than today's orthodox Jews.
Yaacov's brother was a commander in the IDF and president of Israel. Yaacov himself served as a special advisor on minority, mostly Christian Affairs, in Israel, he was a liaison to the Christian community, then an advisor to Ben-Gurion, then initiating secret contacts with King Hussein. As a Diplomat he went to Africa and other places, cultivating Milton Abote and other 3rd world leaders. In 1961 he was advisor to Canada and debated noted professor Toynbee when the professor compared Israel in 1948 morally to the Nazis. In his debate he was seen to have won many points. Throughout his life he was an erudite, an intellectual, a diplomat, advisor to four prime ministers, a Torah scholar, and an extraordinary human being.

This book includes the CD of the Toynbee debate and is wonderfully written, artfully capturing Jewish life from Ireland to Israel and one mans extraordinary touch upon the world.

Seth J. Frantzman