The first full-scale biography of one of the most important—and enigmatic—leaders in Israeli history This riveting biography is the first to provide a satisfactory answer to the question, Who was Menachem Begin? Based on wide-ranging research among archival documents and on testimonials and interviews with Begin's closest advisers, the book presents a detailed new portrait ofIsrael's founding leader. Among the many topics Avi Shilon holds up to new light are Begin's antagonistic relationship with David Ben-Gurion, his controversial role in the 1982 Lebanon War, his unique leadership style, the changes in his ideology over the years, and the mystery behind the total silence he maintained at the end of his career. Through Begin's remarkable life, the book also recounts the history of the right-wing segment of Israeli society, a story essential to understanding the Israel of today.
Format:
CONTRIBUTORS: Avi Shilon, Danielle Zilberberg, Yoram Sharett
EAN: 9780300162356
COUNTRY: United States
PAGES:
WEIGHT: 953 g
HEIGHT: 235 cm
PUBLISHED BY: Yale University Press
DATE PUBLISHED: 2012-11-27
CITY:
GENRE: BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Political, BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Presidents & Heads of State, HISTORY / Middle East / Israel & Palestine, HISTORY / Modern / 20th Century
WIDTH: 156 cm
SPINE:
Book Themes:
Israel, Later 20th century c 1950 to c 1999, Biography: historical, political and military, Political leaders and leadership, Middle Eastern history
"I read this book, which was written with immense talent and based on profound research, with great interest. This biography represents a decisive contribution to the truth."—Shimon Peres, “The most comprehensive and thorough biography published to date about Begin . . . will be of particular interest to American Jews”—Benny Morris, author of 1948: A History of the First Arab-Israeli War, "Avi Shilon has beautifully documented Menachem Begin's remarkable life and explained his complex character; in addition, this well-translated biography provides important insights into Begin's historic prime ministry."—Daniel Pipes, Middle East Forum , "The first comprehensive biography about the leader and the man. . . . A pioneering event in its field."—Time Out Tel Aviv, “A fully realized, important portrait of a significant 20th-century leader.”—Kirkus, starred review
Avi Shilon is an independent journalist and a Ph.D. student at Bar Ilan University. He is the op-ed page editor for Israel Hayom, Israel's most widely read and circulated newspaper. He lives in Tel Aviv, Israel.
