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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
Beautifully written and thoughtfully composed. Shavit gives a truly in-depth, personalised history of the creation of Israel, much of which looks at several different, and often conflicting, perspectives.
My only issue was the chapter on the threat of Iran, which I felt was really quite exaggerated, and played into many conceptions I have of Israel as a paranoid state. I would very much like to hear Shavit's opinions following the Iran nuclear deal of 2015.
This is still a beautiful book, written in a style to be understood by Israel experts and those new to the subject. One of the best non-fiction books I have read all year
My only issue was the chapter on the threat of Iran, which I felt was really quite exaggerated, and played into many conceptions I have of Israel as a paranoid state. I would very much like to hear Shavit's opinions following the Iran nuclear deal of 2015.
This is still a beautiful book, written in a style to be understood by Israel experts and those new to the subject. One of the best non-fiction books I have read all year
informative
slow-paced
Filled in gaps for me in understanding Jewish history. I felt like it was an enriching read that helped me understand the current situation, although a little more than ten years have passed since it was originally published. I appreciated that Shavit understands the "tragedy" of Israel, in terms of the violent exclusion of Palestinians (one might say "genocide") from the foundation and the naivete or willful ignorance of the Zionist project, while at the same time maintaining empathy for those that sought to create an Israel as a place of Jewish refuge. He also highlights some of the internal divisions within Israeli society, including Ashkenazi-centrism and multiple visions of what Zionism should be. Towards the end of the book, however, he lost me as he turns surprisingly hawkish with respect to Iran. Where was the balance and empathy he showed before?
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Book #10 of 2024
A great book to understand the founding of Israel and its complicated history. No matter what side you're on, there's always more to the story and this book does a good job presenting one man's perspective on the country he calls home.
A great book to understand the founding of Israel and its complicated history. No matter what side you're on, there's always more to the story and this book does a good job presenting one man's perspective on the country he calls home.
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Really great read to get understanding of historical Israel. Gives personal stories as well as factual information so it's an easy read.
informative
reflective
medium-paced