Israel: A Concise History of a Nation Reborn

"Israel: A Concise History of a Nation Reborn" by Daniel Gordis (Oct. 2016).Although it touts itself as a "Concise History" of Israel, the author has packed a lot of information and thoughtful analysis in this 546-page book. This is much more than a chronological time-line of the highlights regarding the creation and existence of the Jewish state of Israel.  The author re-plows the basic history as to how Theodor Herzel advocated for pogrom-weary European Jews to move to Palestine.  The author not only details how Eastern European Jews were divided over whether or not a Jewish state should be created, the author notes the arguments and diverse personalities that debated this challenge.  (The author provides some interesting commentary as to how the American writer Mark Twain reflected upon this issue.) [This book does a better job in explaining the "workings" of the early Zionist movement than what is discussed in the recently published "Zionism" by M. Viorst.]Rather than reviewing all of the Zionist arguments here, I found that the author really provided a lot of insight as to the various Zionist and anti-Zionist arguments and how personalities were split between secularists and religious fundamentalists..  I found that the author provide new insights as to the developments in the "return to Israel" movement, and how the Balfour Declaration was born.  I found that the author reviewed many sources and provided great, informative insights into how the Zionist movement campaigned throughout Europe to entice Jews to return to the Palestine region. The author provided fine insight into the political and military disputes between Ben-Gurion and Begin during the 1940s.  While the author noted that the Israeli government had a very difficult time in absorbing and caring for new, and oftentimes impoverished immigrants, I felt the author failed to convey the seriousness of the really desperate economic conditions of Israel during its first decade.I found it interesting to learn that Begin had opposed Israel receiving financial "war reparations" from the West German government. Also, perhaps it was due to his remembrance of the Holocaust he resigned as prime minister rather than receive a new German official.In reviewing the various political parties, it seemed that the primary disputes were more over personalities rather than economic policies -- although Begin certainly and consistently advocated for a greater "free market" economy that was in contrast to Ben-Gurion's socialistic Labor Party. It was interesting to learn how the high large influx of secular, Soviet-Jews starting in the 1980s changed the political dynamics of Israeli politics.I was surprised to learn that the kibbutzim accounted for only about 15% of the Israeli population, and how they eventually declined in popularity and economic influence.While the various wars are discussed, and casualties are noted, the author really doesn't spend much time in providing details as to how some military unit conducted some maneuver -- except to note how it affected the outcome of a war.Yes, it is a strong pro-Jewish Israel book -- the author doesn't lament much about the plight of Palestinian Arabs, except to claim that much of their problems were of their own doing by failing to accept a peaceful coexistence with a Jewish state.  While the author noted that within the occupied/administered "West Bank" [Samaria-Judea] there are three areas/zones of control or semi-control that are governed/administered by the Palestinian Authority (PA), the author doesn't dwell on analyzing the successes or failures of the PA's administration (that would take several other books to accomplish) -- except to say that Israelis themselves are deeply divided over the future "independence" of that area, and how Jewish settlements within are to be either expanded or reduced. (The author doesn't analyze the theological aspects of the Quran as to why the Muslim-Arabs won't accept a Jewish state.)The author has produced a fine book in revealing the determination of the Zionists to birth a secular, Jewish state -- and he analyzes how the original Zionist dream/hope that both Arabs and Jews could live peacefully together has not and most likely will not be achieved.  This is more than just a history of Israel, it is a history -- well, for the lack of a better word -- of the "revival" of the Jewish spirit in reclaiming a homeland; or as the author put it in the book's sub-title: "of a Nation Reborn".  A book that I can highly recommend.

This is a great history, essential information for any world citizen. When there is so much disinformation being spread about Isreal and the Palestine conflict every day, this is a light shining in the darkness. It is a history of Modern Israel, so that is the perspective, but the author Gordis goes out of his way to be fair to the Palestinians and Arab countries surrounding. To my mind, he went a little too far in his effort to be fair to the Arab nations, leaving out some pertinent information. But overall, this is the most balanced account I've read yet. I've been reading books about Israel and the situation there for several years, but I'm still learning, and this book is very helpful. Most Americans, unfortunately, are woefully ignorant of the history of the region, and I recommend this to anyone who wants to know the facts. This is a very inspiring story of group of people who overcame all the odds and found a place where they can be safe from the persecution of the world, Europe, Russia, and the Arab countries have a history of trying to destroy the Jews, which they have done nothing to deserve. It's painful to read about the persecution and massacres the Jews have endured down through the centuries, but their triumphs are glorious.

I flew USAF airlift missions into Israel in the Yom Kippur war, --so I have an interest in the history. Gordis has done an excellent accounting in what is actually a quick read. Very well documented with a Glossary of non English terms to aid in understanding the many foreign words and more...In today's world... --this is a must read.

Since I was a kid, I've seen countless news stories about Israel, most of which have involved Palestinians, the PLO, Hamas, Hezbollah, battles, border skirmishes, and/or peace attempts. I have a vague understanding of the region's major problems, but I purchased this book because I wanted to take a deeper dive into the conflicts, to explore the complexities--and I was certain there were many to explore. If there weren't, surely the issues would've been resolved long ago, right?Gordis does a great job of explaining how Israel got its start. I enjoyed learning about the World Zionist Congress; about the array of factors driving Jews to move to Palestine, forsaking their homes in Europe, Africa, and elsewhere in the Middle East; and about Israel's zig-zagging path to independence. For the first eight chapters, Gordis manages to put all of that neatly in perspective.Unfortunately, Gordis loses his way in the second half of the book, as he races through high points and low points of the last 70 years. He still tries to put things in context, but the narrative moves so quickly that there's little time for him to do so. It feels like a lost opportunity.A more significant problem--and frankly, the biggest issue I had with this book--is the lack of outsider perspective. Gordis was born in America but emigrated to Israel over 20 years ago. In his introduction, he admits that he is a proud Israeli citizen and that that has perhaps colored his analyses.I give Gordis credit for his honesty. I also give him credit for a solid overview of Israeli history told from an Israeli point of view. However, I feel like a Palestinian would've had a very different story to tell.I'm not saying that Gordis avoids the issue of Palestinian refugees--in fact, he spends a fair bit of time addressing it. I'm only saying that I'd like to hear the same history told from a Palestinian perspective. Both POVs would be biased, of course, but at least I'd be able to compare and contrast the two sides.In sum:If you're looking for an overview of Israeli history from the 19th century through independence, this is a great book to read.If you're looking for a recap of important moments in Israeli history post-independence, it's still pretty good.If you're looking for a discussion of Israel and the Palestinian conflict--how it began, how it evolved, and where it stands today--this will do in a pinch, but you may want to look elsewhere.

Totally brilliant! This book tells the story of Israel from the beginnings of Zionism to the present day.For the most part, it reads like a gripping piece of non-fiction narrative and it's packed with all the facts you need to piece it together. The research needed to write a book like this must be ridiculous!! I loved how the people involved are fleshed out as characters as it really helps you understand why events happened in the way they did.The account is thorough and truly concise at the same time. Of course there's always more detail that could have be included but there are books about every aspect of Israel's story for those who'd like more in-depth study.Many have tried to pen similar volumes but no one has succeeded with the balance and panache of Daniel Gordis. I highly recommend this book!

I found this a really interesting book and provided me with a much better insight into events in Israel. It is very well written and broken down into well defined chapters and at the back of the book there is a good glossary of people mentioned and a list of Jewish/Yiddish terms used in the book as well. Well recommended.

Great concise history of modern Israel. I’m not a Jew but I feel much respect and sympathy for Jews, who despite all the odds and all the horrors unleashed upon them over the centuries have not only survived but recreated their state.

Probably the best one volume history of the coming of the only liberal democracy in the Middle East. Well written, well paced, and as comprehensive as a book this size could be.

Wow, what a truly appallingly badly written book. How can anyone write so much so badly. But if you enjoy being bored senseless then it's the book for you. It needs a serious red pen editing, reducing its size by a factor of 2 or 3, then perhaps it will be readable.