Rating: 
Summary: Long, comprehesive but biased history.
Review: At times reading this book was a chore, but like any chore there is value from the work. Mr. Gilbert probably did not need to tell us in excruciating detail about how every kibbutz in Israel was founded, in honor of whose slain relation, and from what part of Europe they came from. But if he did not, we wouldn't get the feel of how the country was founded, settlement by settlement from barren desert. And that's part of his point as he tells the history of Israel: "Think whatever you want of Zionism and the Israelis, but they uprooted their homes from around eastern Europe, Russia, and the middle East and made the desert bloom"The book covers what is on the cover: Herzl, Netanyahu, and a dozen in between. You learn about the wars, the politics, the historical founders, and the conflict with Arabs. Now, I am a big fan of Israel, but even I must say there is bias in this book. The Arab point of view is not given its due. Everyone not from the Labor/left/Ashkenazi seems to be a misguided radical. The institutional belligerence against the Palestinian Arabs are glossed over or dismissed as part of Likud policies. If you can put aside this bias, the book is a good comprehensive history of Israel. Especially good reading is the recounts of the 1956, 1967 and 1972 wars with a good smattering of heroic stories from both sides.
Rating:
Summary: Long, comprehesive but biased history.
Review: At times reading this book was a chore, but like any chore there is value from the work. Mr. Gilbert probably did not need to tell us in excruciating detail about how every kibbutz in Israel was founded, in honor of whose slain relation, and from what part of Europe they came from. But if he did not, we wouldn't get the feel of how the country was founded, settlement by settlement from barren desert. And that's part of his point as he tells the history of Israel: "Think whatever you want of Zionism and the Israelis, but they uprooted their homes from around eastern Europe, Russia, and the middle East and made the desert bloom" The book covers what is on the cover: Herzl, Netanyahu, and a dozen in between. You learn about the wars, the politics, the historical founders, and the conflict with Arabs. Now, I am a big fan of Israel, but even I must say there is bias in this book. The Arab point of view is not given its due. Everyone not from the Labor/left/Ashkenazi seems to be a misguided radical. The institutional belligerence against the Palestinian Arabs are glossed over or dismissed as part of Likud policies. If you can put aside this bias, the book is a good comprehensive history of Israel. Especially good reading is the recounts of the 1956, 1967 and 1972 wars with a good smattering of heroic stories from both sides.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Primer
Review: Being born in 1966 I grew up constantly hearing and seeing bits and pieces about Israel. This book has connected the dots for me, my view of Israel being permanently altered. The author's maps are many and excellent. At the top of each page he gives the corresponding year of that part of the narrative which I was constantly referring to in this fast moving history. Make no mistake about it though, the author is pro-Labour and secular Jew, and at best not sympathetic to Likud or the religious Jews. My impression was that his vantage point was standing next to Ben-Gurion and Rabin, while Begin, Netanyahu and the religious Jews were over yonder, almost intruders. He is very even with the Ashkenazi and Sephardi divide. Great book.
Rating: 
Summary: disappointing
Review: Buy this book if you want to learn about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict from a Zionist's perspective. If you are looking for an unbiased account, look elsewhere.
Rating: 
Summary: Superbly Presented Historical Research.
Review: Drawing on his vast experience of this subject Sir Martin Gilbert has documented a superlative history of Israel which is extremely thorough and accurate. This study surveys in some detail the first 50 years of Israel's history following the nation's re-birth in 1948. The book also tells of the involvement of the nation's pioneers and founders extending back into the latter half of the nineteenth century, together with many stories pertaining to the individuals who contributed to the re-birth of the Jewish state and to it's very survival during the ensuing conflicts. The book begins with a chapter entitled "Ideals For Statehood" and describes how, since the destruction of the Second Temple by the Romans in 70AD, Jews dispersed throughout the World have prayed for a return to Zion. "Next Year in Jerusalem" being the hope expressed at the end of every Passover meal. Later in the book the incredible hostility towards such Zionism is addressed. The book initially describes the "considerable Jewish activity in Palestine" as the nineteenth century came to an end and extends to the Balfour Declaration and the work towards a Jewish homeland in Palestine that the latter promised. Unfortunately the book lacks any appropriate or real attention to the creation of the state of Transjordan in 1922 and how this affected the eventual rebirth of Israel. An issue where Britain detached 78% of the original area of Mandate Palestine to create another Arab entity in order to satisfy Arab aspirations for independence. This area east of the Jordan was thereafter called Trans-Jordan, and remained legally part of the British Mandate until 1946, when it was declared an independent Arab state, renamed Jordan in 1953. (Jordan then comprising 78% of Mandate Palestine with the vast majority of Jordanians being Palestinians.). The latter, although not discussed in detail here is evident from the contents of the book. Maps illustrating the issue further. The book on page 37 reveals that the potential of the land following the First World War, (on which fewer than a million people were living on both sides of the Jordan), was regarded as enormous. The reader is shown how less than 10 per cent of the land was actually under cultivation at that time with no Arab needing to be dispossessed, or their rights infringed, for the "Zionists" to make substantial land purchases. The considerable Jewish population already in the land is also mentioned, together with reference to the Arab violence against these Jewish populations even in 1919. Coverage also being given to the increase of this violence through the ensuing decades as Jewish immigration increased with any attempt to reassure or compromise with resident Arabs being rejected. Violence, riots and Arab general strikes described as attempts to stop any influx of Jews to their ancient homeland. The contents further describing how the rise of Hitler to power in Germany during 1933 affected the situation pertaining to Jewish immigration and the relationship on the ground between Arabs and Jews. The actions of the occupying British forces described as they enforced declared strict quota restrictions on Jewish immigration, even in the face of Nazi persecution and the Holocaust. This whilst illegal Arab immigration from surrounding areas was allowed to proceed unhindered. The British action restricting immigration by Jewish refugees from Nazi occupied Europe is described as a continuing priority even after the war's end in 1945, with imprisonment being afforded those captured in British "detention camps" on Cyprus. Some 50,000 Jews being imprisoned in this manner. From here the conflict in the land is described in some detail until the declaration of independence by the Jewish State of Israel in May 1948. This is followed by a commendable coverage of the ensuing "War Of Independence" during which surrounding Arab nations sought to eradicate the Jewish State by all military means at their disposal. The ingathering of Jewish exiles to the newly born Jewish State is documented, as is the Suez conflict and events leading up to the Six Day War in 1967. Continuing acts of violence by Arabs against the Jewish population during these periods are also covered, including the formation in 1964 of the "Palestine Liberation Organisation". Another organisation is described as being formed in 1965, whose leader was Abu Ammar (Yasser Arafat). The group being Fatah, and it's goal the "national liberation of Palestine". All this whilst the Gaza Strip and the "West Bank" were in Arab hands, occupied by the Arab nations of Egypt and Jordan. Respectable coverage is also given to the 1973 Yom Kippur War, amid the seeming impotence or unwillingness of the UN to intervene, plus the political susceptibility of the World to an Arab oil boycott. A conflict which the book describes as showing the growing independence of Israel upon the USA. Increasing Palestinian terrorism is described in the context of the Israeli invasion of Lebanon during 1982, again with credible coverage. The study extending to include the Oslo Accords and the present "peace process", together with the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin. Numerous photographs are provided, together with a large selection of maps which are relevant to the major issues surrounding the history of the Jewish state. An invaluable piece of historical research and an excellent addition to anyone's library. I would also recommend reading "From Time Immemorial; Origins of the Jewish-Arab Conflict Over Palestine" by Joan Peters.
Rating:
Summary: Comprehensive, Informative and highly readable!
Review: Gilbert applies his well known method to a very complex topic: the history of Israel and Zionism. He does so in a dedicated and thorough manner, emphasizing both the good and bad in that state's history. Where others would use selective examples to back a particular argument, Gilbert lets the actual history speak for itself. What emerges is a complex, yet hopeful depiction of one of the most remarkable ongoing stories of the 20th century. Gilbert should be commended for undertaking the unenviable job of compiling over a hundred years of history into one volume.
Rating:
Summary: The bread & butter of a student of history.
Review: Gilbert did it again. His style of writing makes a century of history a pleasure to read. Being that the book covers such a large time span, it is difficult to spend enough time on certain events. I feel that he could of elaborated more on momentous points in Israel's history such as Entebbe and the Liberation of Jerusalem. Another point is that Gilbert's bias toward the Labor point of view albeit slight comes through. All in all this is yet another gem in Gilbert's collection of jewels. Enjoy it, I definitely did.
Rating:
Summary: Fabulous book!
Review: I wondered whether or not this book, as long as it is, would hold my attention. It certainly did! I highly recommend it for anyone who wants to learn about the history of modern-day Israel. The author starts at about 1897 with the "Zionist Movement," and continues through about 1997 and the assassination of Prime Minister Rabin. He quotes frequently from biographies of such persons as Golda Meir, Shimon Peres, and other influential Israelis. The only beef I had with the book was I wished the author would have gone into more detail on such events as the Israel attack on the Iraqi nuclear reactor, the rescue of the hostages in Uganda, and the attempted rescue of the Israel Olympic athletes in 1972. After reading a history such as this it just astounds me that Israel is still in existence, after (at times) almost the entire world is against it. Surviving five wars in less than 60 years of existence (and ususally outnumbered), it is a vivid testimony to God's preservation of His people. Yes, Israel has made some mistakes (both morally and tactically), but there's not a nation on earth that hasn't. It is also in the unusual position of being the most hated nation on earth. The book is well written, and seems to have been researched extensively. Again, I couldn't recommend it more for someone wanting to learn of Israel's history.
Rating:
Summary: Fabulous book!
Review: I wondered whether or not this book, as long as it is, would hold my attention. It certainly did! I highly recommend it for anyone who wants to learn about the history of modern-day Israel. The author starts at about 1897 with the "Zionist Movement," and continues through about 1997 and the assassination of Prime Minister Rabin. He quotes frequently from biographies of such persons as Golda Meir, Shimon Peres, and other influential Israelis. The only beef I had with the book was I wished the author would have gone into more detail on such events as the Israel attack on the Iraqi nuclear reactor, the rescue of the hostages in Uganda, and the attempted rescue of the Israel Olympic athletes in 1972. After reading a history such as this it just astounds me that Israel is still in existence, after (at times) almost the entire world is against it. Surviving five wars in less than 60 years of existence (and ususally outnumbered), it is a vivid testimony to God's preservation of His people. Yes, Israel has made some mistakes (both morally and tactically), but there's not a nation on earth that hasn't. It is also in the unusual position of being the most hated nation on earth. The book is well written, and seems to have been researched extensively. Again, I couldn't recommend it more for someone wanting to learn of Israel's history.
Rating:
Summary: Very Biased book
Review: If you are an Israeli or a Jews who's interested in feeling good about Israel, then that's your book. It gets you so high to the point that you need no Hash. On the other hand, if you're a historian who seeks the truth, this book is extremely misleading, the quotes are selective, and the presented facts are often contradictory. For example:
1-On page 47 Martin stated the Palestinians were close to half a million, while on page 50 he stated a different number ( close to three quarter of a million).
2- He always presented Arab-Jewish fights as being racist in nature, which can not be further from the truth. The same incidents were described by Tom Segev (One Palestine Complete) and Benny Morris (Righteous Victims) to be on personal or criminal basis. Actually, as an Arab, I like to inform you that Arabs often fight against each other with even more violence.
3- Martin often selectively quoted Ben-Gurion and Ahad Ha'Am. For example, he never mentioned that Ben-Gurion always advocated "Compulsory Transfer" of Palestinians or his anti-Arab speeches, or the famous speech by Ahad Ha'Am informing the Zionists congress in the early 20th century that most of the fertile land in Palestine is being planted and taken care off by the indigenous population.
Finally, as a historian I find this book useless from historical research stand point since Martin did not provide a numbered notes for the quoted source where his findings could be verified, which often lead him to contradict himself. You are better off reading other books such Iron Wall, One Palestine Complete, andRighteous Victims
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