The Zionist Idea: A Historical Analysis and Reader [Paperback]

Dr. Arthur Hertzberg (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1997

A classic since its initial publication in 1959, The Zionist Idea is an anthology of writings by the leading thinkers of the Zionist movement, including Theodor Herzl, Ahad Ha-Am, Martin Buber, Louis Brandeis, Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook, Judah Magnes, Max Nordau, Mordecai Kaplan, Vladimir Jabotinsky, Chaim Weizmann, and David Ben-Gurion.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This 1960 "historical analysis and reader" gathers the writings of the most important Zionists of the time. LJ's reviewer stated that the "stress is upon the men's ideas and works as they relate to Zionism. Although the profiles are brief, they are penetrating" (LJ 4/15/60). This edition contains a new introduction and afterword by scholar/editor Hertzberg.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 656 pages
• Publisher: The Jewish Publication Society (October 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0827606222
• ISBN-13: 978-0827606227
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #81,375 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #26 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Judaism > Theology

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars splendid compelation, July 13, 2003

By 

Irina Danilova (NY, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Zionist Idea: A Historical Analysis and Reader (Paperback)

the a hundred page introduction of this work is absolutely essential for people of every ilk who want to undertand the whole zionist idealogy in one fine, easy-read scoop. the rest of this work is a presentation of every important leader of zionism in the course of 19th and 20th centuries with a short description of the writers life, endeavors, and accomplishments in the beginning of every excerpt.
this book serves on two fronts which makes it into a bona-fide classic of zionist literature: (a) someone who wants to throughly understand the conception of the movement must read this book because without it even fine, scurpulous research is incomplete. (b) someone who wants to cursorly scan the movement to form a capsule of the zionist idea in his mind for all practical intents and purposes.
i'm not a zionist, but this book gave me a clearer percpective of zionism. now i'm confident to vouch that i know precisely what zionism holds and so should you!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Zionist Idea, November 25, 2011

By 

Bruce Wolf (JUPITER, FL, US) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Zionist Idea: A Historical Analysis and Reader (Paperback)

This is an excellent compilation of classic writings of the pioneers of Zionnism. I gained so much insight into their thoughts and writings . This a must book for anyone interested and involved inZionism.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Optimistic Jew, August 31, 2007

By 

Tsvi Bisk - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Zionist Idea: A Historical Analysis and Reader (Paperback)

This is an anthology of works by major Zionist thinkers. It introduced me to the fact that Zionism was primarily a radical project of self-criticism and not a whining diatribe against the Gentiles. The ruthless mode of thought and pitiless self criticism of the founding fathers of Zionism makes one realize that this is our strength in the face of our enemies, who clearly lack the ability to engage in self-criticism. I try to follow in the footsteps of this tradition of Zionist self-criticism in my own book "The Optimistic Jew: a Positive Vision for the Jewish People in the 21st Century"
The Introduction by Rabbi Hertzberg is brilliant and worth the price of the book alone. If you want to know something about Zionism, Israel, and modern Jewish history, buy this book and read the Introduction!