Given that today is Yom HaZikaron and tomorrow is Yom Haatzmaut, I thought it was a good time for a survey of some great books on Israel, both fiction and nonfiction, that are worth reading (some of which I’ve written about in this space).
The Making of Modern Zionism: The Intellectual Origins of the Jewish State, by Shlomo Avineri. This is an outstanding chronological and comparative survey of the ideas (and people whose ideas) became the substrate of modern “Zionisms.” I use the word in plural intentionally, as the book shared many threads, sometimes contradictory, that came together in the creation and development of the idea that became the modern State of Israel. It’s a fascinating read, and one that sheds enormous light on many parts of what has become the Israel that we know today.
The Prime Ministers by Yehuda Avner. This is a classic, written by someone who worked up close and personal with many Israeli Prime Ministers. It’s a long and fascinating read. My only ‘gripe’ is that, while it’s pretty clear Avner revered Menachem Begin the most, he went on a bit long and was a tad too starry eyed when describing Begin’s time in office.
Catch 67, by Michah Goodman. In the first part of the book Goodman provides an overview of the left-right side of Israeli politics and how each plays off of and misunderstands the other. He then tries to suggest ways to ‘reduce’ the tensions between Israel and the Palestinians. I’m curious how this book reads after October 7th.
1948: A History of the First Arab Israeli War, by Benny Morris. Perhaps the best indication that Morris is a pretty honest historian is that he’s criticized by people on the left and right. This detailed and powerful history of the 1948 war is rich in detail, and eminently readable.
Six Days of War: June 1967 and the Making of the Modern Middle East, by Michael Oren. This is a classic book about the 1967 war. I sometimes found the battle descriptions hard to follow, but what wasn’t hard to make sense of was the palpable miracles throughout.
Now, a turn to Israeli fiction and memoir:
A Tale of Love and Darkness, by Amos Oz. This is one of the most magical memoirs I’ve ever read. It’s a story very much of a time and place – pre-war and early state; an intellectual European Ashkenazi immigrant family; a family’s struggles with poverty and mental illness.
The Blue Mountain, by Meir Shalev. This is also of a particular time and place – the pre-war Kibbutz. Shalev does an incredible job bringing this idealistic moment of the Israeli experience to life, with memorable characters and an engaging storyline.
The Bus Driver Who Wanted to Be God and Other Stories, by Etgar Keret. Keret, who only writes short stories, has a style all his own. It’s funny, painful, personal, and critical. He’s certainly one of Israel’s great writers, and well represents the generation that follows people like Shalev and Oz.
Just Because I Liked It:
- I’m a big Coleman Hughes fan, and loved this conversation he had on Conversations With Tyler. Both Coleman and Tyler are such thoughtful, reflective public intellectuals.
- The journalist Douglas Muarry has been a hero in sharing the truth about what’s happening in Israel. He recently received the prestigious Alexander Hamilton Award from the Manhattan Institute. Please take a look at his acceptance speech, focusing on Israel’s example for the West.