Product Description

This is the first volume in Dr. Uri Milstein's comprehensive study of Israel's War of Independence. A Nation Girds for War surveys the political and diplomatic background to Israel's War of Independence. Based on newly declassified material, it describes how the Jewish Defense functioned in the 1948 War of Independence and reveals the internal functions among the Jewish commanders. This book is based on a 30-year research effort. It charts the emergence and development of the Jewish militias and intelligence services. Because more than 1,500 people were interviewed for this book, including every surviving senior commander and decision-maker, this book sets forth the competing strands of Zionist thought and profiles the major figures in Europe, the United States and Mandatory Palestine, whose actions shaped the course of Israel's birth. Dr. Milstein is the only independent researcher with free access to the archives of the Israel Defense Forces. With that special privilege, the author is able to detail this war and the critical events leading to the United Nations' historic partition resolution in 1947 as have never before been told.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1751747 in Books
• Published on: 1996-01
• Original language: Hebrew
• Binding: Hardcover
• 484 pages

Review
...the most thorough and comprehensive to date...It is highly recommended. -- Benny Morris Choice These...volumes constitute the most important work of military historiography ever published on Israel's War of Independence. Milstein has produced a broad, honest, in-depth, well-documented study that goes far beyond anything else previously publishedin Israel or abroad. -- Benny Morris Ha'aretz Milstein has written an excellent political history of one of the most significant events in Jewish history. Perhaps, the best compliment that this reviewer can make is for the author to quickly expedite the publication of volume 2. -- Benny Morris National Jewish Post and Opinion Readers who are not afraid to test their previous views would do well to read Milstein. His findings are meticulously researched and annotated... -- Benny Morris Jerusalem Post Seeing his work published in English is thus cause for celebration. -- Benny Morris Ha'aretz Milstein provides a detailed and intricate account of events leading up to the war...this carefully documented work fills an important niche in Zionist history. Highly recommended for university libraries. Choice ...the most thorough and comprehensive to date...It is highly recommended. -- Benny Morris Choice These...volumes constitute the most important work of military historiography ever published on Israel's War of Independence. Milstein has produced a broad, honest, in-depth, well-documented study that goes far beyond anything else previously published in Israel or abroad. -- Benny Morris Ha'aretz Milstein has written an excellent political history of one of the most significant events in Jewish history. Perhaps, the best compliment that this reviewer can make is for the author to quickly expedite the publication of volume 2. -- Benny Morris National Jewish Post and Opinion Readers who are not afraid to test their previous views would do well to read Milstein. His findings are meticulously researched and annotated... -- Benny Morris Jerusalem Post Seeing his work published in English is thus cause for celebration. -- Benny Morris Ha'aretz ...a must for every American Jew who wants to identify himself with the establishment of Israel 50 years ago. -- Benny Morris The Jewish Post

About the Author
Uri Milstein is Senior Lecturer at Bar Ilan University in Israel and has written many books on or relating to war. Alan Sacks, a lawyer in Philadelphia, has been translating Hebrew for nine years.