Israel: A History

“The most comprehensive account of Israeli history yet published.”  — The Sunday Telegraph

“An epic history . . . a picture of an Israel that persevered and prevailed, that was determined to survive and was unwilling to trust its independence to others but sought peace whenever possible.” — Foreign Affairs

Israel is a small and relatively
young country, but since the day of its creation more than half a century ago, its
turbulent history has placed it squarely at the center of the world stage. For
two millennia the Jews, dispersed all over the world, prayed for a return to
Zion. Until the nineteenth century, that dream seemed a fantasy, but then a
secular Zionist movement was born and soon the initial trickle of Jewish
immigrants to Palestine turned into a flood as Jews fled persecution in Europe.

From these beginnings, preeminent historian Martin
Gilbert traces the events and personalities that would lead to the sudden,
dramatic declaration of Statehood in May 1948. From that point on, Israel’s
history has been dominated by conflict: Suez, the Six Day War, the Yom Kippur
War, the Lebanon and the Intifada.

Using contemporary documents and
eyewitness accounts, and drawing on his own intimate knowledge of the country
and its people, Martin Gilbert weaves together a riveting, page-turning history
of a powerful and proud nation, from the struggles of its pioneers in the nineteenth century up to the present day.

“It is difficult to write dispassionately about Israel, so strong are the feelings it arouses among critics and friends alike. But that is what Martin Gilbert has done in his magisterial new history of the state . . . a superlative history of Israel” - London Times

“An epic history . . . a picture of an Israel that persevered and prevailed, that was determined to survive and was unwilling to trust its independence to others but sought peace whenever possible.” - Foreign Affairs

"Gilbert’s impassioned history adds immeasurably to our understanding of the forces that have shaped contemporary Israel." - Publishers Weekly

"Rich in detail. ... A grand, heroic narrative." - Times Literary Supplement (London)

"Not just an invaluable piece of historical research, it is also a joy to read. ... Required reading for anyone who wants to understand that most extraordinary and perplexing country."  - Jewish Chronicle

"Thorough and thoroughly entertaining. ... A rich history." - Kirkus Reviews

“The most comprehensive account of Israeli history yet published.” - The Sunday Telegraph