Rating: 
Summary: A detailed look at Mid-East War
Review: The author's knowledge of the subject matter is evident throughout the book. While the book covers both the political and military aspects of the war, the author's strength clearly lies in his intimate knowledge of the Israeli political system. Many of the chapters take the reader into the inner chambers of the Israeli political and military command. The book is politically balanced, but the author did not appear to have the same level of access for the Arab side as he did for the Israeli. As a result a larger percentage of the book describes the how Israel dealt with the crisis. It was amazing to read how many of today's major Mid-East leaders, where also involved in the 1968 war.
Rating: 
Summary: Well done
Review: A well written account of the six day war, the events which led up to it, and it's consequences. This book is especially strong dealing with the pressures on Israel's civilian leadership to wait until the Arab's struck. This pressure would be repeated, successfully and with dire consequences, six years later. This is particularly important given current international circumstances (mid-February 2003). Six Days of War also skilfully handles the attack on the USS Liberty. The most important aspect of the book, however, is the way in which the outcome of the six day war has shaped the last 35 years in the mid-east. I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Well Researched History of Israel's Incredibly Swift Victory
Review: Michael Oren's book is a must for anyone who wants to understand the world political context of the Six Day War. The author has researched U.S., Soviet, U.N., Israeli, and Arab archives and documents to show the superpower background of this incredible war. Other books on this war are excellent summaries, but this one specializes in the political context, both within Israel, among the Arab nations, and the international scene. While the many footnotes and nuanced views may be laborious for the general reader--thus the four of five star rating--those who want to know the full story of one of the swiftest military victories in all of history must read Mr. Oren's account. Especially interesting is the section on the Israeli's mistaken attack on the U.S. reconnaisance ship the Liberty, still a source of contention at times, yet shown decisively here to have been a tragic and unintentional mistake by the Israelis.
Rating:
Summary: The most balanced, complete history of the 6 Day War (1967)
Review: I could not put this book down. It encapsulates the prior history of the Zionist movement and takes a good look at the War of Independence and the 1956 blockage of the Straits of Tiran by Egypt. It continues on and gives at first a look at the crisis that led to and then the countdown before the 6 day war. It then gives a day by day accounting of events. Unlike other works on the subject, this one carefully balances the memos, diary entries, court records, newspaper accounts, first hand accounts and other documents, not only from Israel but from Jordan, Syria, Egypt, Russia, France, the U.S., LBJ's cabinet, the CIA, the FBI and England. It even goes into Lyndon B. Johnson's diary to get his personal feelings on the events. The documentation and footnoting is extraordinary. The author benefits from recently declassified information from all of the above countries. You really understand the issues at hand with regards to the Cold War, the Viet Nam War, and in general, the state of the U.N. during this time. The surprising thing about the whole event is how easily the Arab nations could have won the war. If they weren't subject to political favoritism, internal squabbling and fighting, instability (of both regime and of individuals-Nasser for example), they might have put together an offensive that might have succeeded in their goal of destroying the Jewish State. Although the author is a former member of Israel's political world, this book does not suffer from preaching or a political point of view. Rather this should be the text book for all teachings about this momentous event in the Middle East, an event with repercussions to this day, over 35 years past. A fine work that I can heartily recommend...no matter which side you stand upon...
Rating:
Summary: great book
Review: this is an interesting and accurate book. It draws on thousands of documents and sources from the arab, israel, soviet and american archives. It also features interviews with numerous influential people asociated with the war.
this is a must read for anyone with interest in middle eastern politics.
Rating:
Summary: Magnificent book
Review: The depth of this book is remarkable. Not just a chronology of events, Six Days relives the psychology and emotion precipitating the amazing battles of this conflict. You learn about the characters that played out the conflict and you gain insight into each person's perspective on the causes for it. The history lesson tells like a dramatic story. Oren tries and succeeds in capturing the personal side of the conflict. You will not be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding perspective
Review: As someone born in 1968, with a general idea of the history of the region, I have always yearned for a comprehensive book on the Six-day war. Although the story is well known, I had never known much about the run-up to the actual outbreak of hostilities. The behind the scenes diplomacy, the possibility of a wider-conflict involving the U.S. and Soviet Union, and finally the war itself are all chronicled supurbly.
With so much being talked about the "1967 borders" in the current conflict, this book felt even more timely than ever.
Rating:
Summary: The best book on the subject
Review: Stands head and shoulders above other texts about the Six Day War, fascinating insights into how it happened and why. A must-read for anybody who wants to understand the current Israeli-Palestinian violence and the terms of that debate. Outstanding use of new material as well.
Rating:
Summary: THERE IS A LOT MORE TO IT!
Review: ...WHY THE LIBERTY WAS WHERE IT WAS AND WHO SENT IT. IF YOU THINK THIS IS A DEAD ISSUE, VISIT USS LIBERTY AND SEE IT IS HOTTER NOW THAN 20 YEARS AGO. OREN WRITES SOME MORE BUT THERE IS A BIG ASSOCIATION OF APOLOGISTS AND SURVIVORS AT THAT GENERAL SEARCH LOCATION.... HAVE SOME SENSE ABOUT GETTING IN THE WAY OF SOMEONE ELSE'S WAR?
Rating:
Summary: Six Days of War, by Michael Oren
Review: Outstanding read, clear, concise, and very thoughtprovoking. The best book on this important subject written. Especially poinent with all the events going on in the world today.
| 
