Zionism and the Creation of a New Society (Tauber Institute Series for the Study of European Jewry) [Paperback]

Ben Halpern (Author), Jehuda Reinharz (Author)

Book Description

Series: Tauber Institute Series for the Study of European Jewry | Publication Date: April 1, 2000

Two experts trace the development of the Zionist idea from its earliest expressions up to the birth of the State of Israel.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The late Halpern (emeritus, Near Eastern studies, Brandeis) wrote The Idea of the Jewish State in 1961. Coauthored by Reinharz (president and professor of modern Jewish history at Brandeis), the noted biographer of Zionist leader Chaim Weizmann, this continuation of Halpern's densely argued book addresses Zionist ideas and institutions through the prism of historical development, political thought, and the social makeup of pre-independence Israel. As the authors state in their introduction, "our examination comprehends the whole range of ideas and values attached to the Zionist enterprise in Palestine and the institutions built upon them." Presupposing a strong background knowledge, this rich book would be most useful in a research library or a library with strong holdings in political science and sociology. Public libraries may consider two of the standard introductions more accessible to the general reader: Walter Laquer's A History of Zionism (Schocken, 1989) and The Zionist Idea: A Historical Reader and Analysis (Greenwood, 1970). [Reinharz was a longtime LJ reviewer.?Ed.]?Paul M. Kaplan, Lake Villa Dist. Lib., I.
-?Paul M. Kaplan, Lake Villa Dist. Lib., IL
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

"In general, Halsmish's argument is convincing as it is backed up with a wealth of documentary and oral evidence. On the whole, the English translation suits the style and content free of academic jargon, with an occasional colloquialism to emphasize a particular point."-- Zionism,Israel, and the Middle East

"Authors bring unusual insight to the circumstances and concepts that made the Jewish state a possibility. Lucid, learned, and thoughtfully written, the book is a must for every student of Zionism and Israeli society."-- Shlomo Avineri, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

"The authors have provided an extraordinarily wide and rich historical analysis of Zionism from its inception to the creation of the State of Israel in 1948. Their control of both source material and secondary work is exhaustive and exact, and their interpretation of specific events always judicious and informed. One need not agree with them on all issues--as I do not--to recognize that this is a truly outstanding work."-- Steven T. Katz, Director of the Center for Judaic Studies at Boston University.

"This is an excellent history of Zionist ideas and politics, mainly in Palestine, and of the early 'heroic' period leading to the establishment of the State of Israel. It was written by two leading students of the subject with admirable clarity and conciseness."-- Walter Laqueur, Institute for Strategic and International Studies, Washington, DC

"This is a book about the power of faith, rather than faith in power. It reveals how the impossible became possible--and how a dream gave birth to a state. It is written in a real attempt to uphold intellectual integrity and adhere to factual chronology."--I Shimon Peres, former Prime Minister of Israel

"This book reflects the combined work of two eminent historians, the late Ben Halpern and Jehuda Reinharz. A cross between historical and sociological approaches, this book manages admirably to present a dynamic picture of the Jewish society in Palestine and the Zionist movement in its most creative period--on the verge of statehood. Change and stability, revolution and tradition, ideologies and institutions: all are depicted here in their immense diversity as competing factors in Jewish life. This book is long overdue; I can hardly think of another book in the English language that so successfully presents the full spectrum of Zionist society in pre-state times. Combining a critical approach with a sympathetic view of Israel and Zionism, it avoids the pitfalls of eulogizing or excessive criticism, finding the right balance between the two. Any scholar or student of Israeli history would be wise to make use of this book."---- Anita Shapira, Tel Aviv University

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 356 pages
• Publisher: Brandeis (April 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584650230
• ISBN-13: 978-1584650232
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,065,294 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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