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Moshe Dayan
Israel's Controversial Hero
Series: Jewish Lives
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Check link for latest rating. ( 90 ratings, 10 reviews)
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Moshe Dayan
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?
This book is ideal for readers interested in Israeli history, military strategy, and Middle Eastern politics, as well as those who appreciate detailed biographical accounts of complex political figures.
A vivid portrait of one of the most powerful leaders in Israel's first decades of statehood
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Description
From the prizewinning Jewish Lives series, a vivid portrait of one of the most powerful leaders in Israel’s first decades of statehood
Instantly recognisable with his iconic eye patch, Moshe Dayan (1915–1981) was one of Israel's most charismatic—and controversial—personalities. As a youth, he earned the reputation of a fearless warrior, and in later years as a leading military tactician, admired by peers and enemies alike. As chief of staff during the 1956 Sinai Campaign and as minister of defence during the 1967 Six Day War, Dayan led the Israel Defence Forces to stunning military victories. However, in the aftermath of the bungled 1973 Yom Kippur War, he shared the blame for operational mistakes and retired from the government. He later proved himself a principled and talented diplomat, playing an integral role in peace negotiations with Egypt.
In this memorable biography, Mordechai Bar-On, Dayan's IDF bureau chief, offers an intimate view of Dayan's private life, public career, and political controversies, set against an original analysis of Israel's political environment from pre-Mandate Palestine through the early 1980s. Drawing on a wealth of Israeli archives, accounts by Dayan and members of his circle, and firsthand experiences, Bar-On reveals Dayan as a man unwavering in his devotion to Zionism and the Land of Israel. Moshe Dayan makes a unique contribution to the history of Israel and the complexities of the Arab-Israeli conflict.
About Jewish Lives:
Jewish Lives is a prizewinning series of interpretative biography designed to explore the many facets of Jewish identity. Individual volumes illuminate the imprint of Jewish figures upon literature, religion, philosophy, politics, cultural and economic life, and the arts and sciences. Subjects are paired with authors to elicit lively, deeply informed books that explore the range and depth of the Jewish experience from antiquity to the present.
In 2014, the Jewish Book Council named Jewish Lives the winner of its Jewish Book of the Year Award, the first series ever to receive this award.
More praise for Jewish Lives:
“Excellent.” – New York Times
“Exemplary.” – Wall Street Journal
“Distinguished.” – New Yorker
“Superb.” – The Guardian
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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
"This well-written and absorbing book offers an authoritative account of the life of Moshe Dayan and places him in the context of larger events," praises Itamar Rabinovich, highlighting its appeal to general readers and scholars alike. Jay Freeman of Booklist calls it "a revealing and engrossing account," while Neil Rubin of the Baltimore Jewish Times commends Bar-On's first-person perspective and correction of the historical record. The book is noted for its elegant writing and insightful glimpses into Dayan's pivotal roles in Israel’s military and politics.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780300149418
Publisher: Yale University Press
Format: Hardback
Date Published: 17 July 2012
Country: United States
Imprint: Yale University Press
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 24.0mm
Width: 140.0mm
Height: 210.0mm
Weight: 435g
Pages: 264
About the Author
Mordechai Bar-On is senior research fellow, Yad Izhak Ben-Zvi Institute, Jerusalem. He served in the Israel Defense Forces as General Moshe Dayan's bureau chief during the Sinai Campaign, and in 1984 was elected to the Knesset, Israel's parliament. He lives in Jerusalem.
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