Synopses & Reviews
The troubles in Palestine between the end of World War II and the declaration of the state of Israel on May 14, 1948, ruptured Middle Eastern history and left an indelible mark on the modern world. Chronicling in gripping detail this critical period that led, for the Jews, to the establishment of their national homeland, and, for the Palestinians, to their Nakba ("Catastrophe"), this book gives powerful expression to all those who took part in these stirring events: Britons, Jews, and Arabs alike. Drawing on a rich medley of official documents, private papers, biographies, memoirs, diaries, letters, newspapers, novels, songs, plays, and reminiscences, this book vividly reconstructs the attitudes and experiences of the many diverse participants. Whether foot-soldiers or generals, politicians or diplomats, dissidents, terrorists, writers, teachers, or simply men and women on the street, each voice tells its own story, and is woven into a compelling historical narrative that shifts seamlessly from one level of experience to another.
Review
"Eloquent, comprehensive and even-handed." —Spectator
Review
"Vividly records the experiences of people embroiled in problems of governance and territorial rights which are still proving intractable 60 years later." —Sunday Times
Review
"A lucid, humane and fair-minded guide to a hugely contentious history." —Times Higher Education Supplement
Review
"Fascinating." —Daily Telegraph
Review
"A scholarly book . . . but no dry academic account." —Upfront
Review
"The most complete and detailed account of the British and Zionists during the era of the mandate . . . All in all, a masterpiece." —Wm. Roger Louis, Editor-in-Chief, The Oxford History of the British Empire
Synopsis
The troubles in Palestine between the end of World War II and the declaration of the state of Israel on May 14, 1948, ruptured Middle Eastern history and left an indelible mark on the modern world. Chronicling in gripping detail this critical period that led, for the Jews, to the establishment of their national homeland, and, for the Palestinians, to their Nakba ("Catastrophe"), this book gives powerful expression to all those who took part in these stirring events: Britons, Jews, and Arabs alike. Drawing on a rich medley of official documents, private papers, biographies, memoirs, diaries, letters, newspapers, novels, songs, plays, and reminiscences, this book vividly reconstructs the attitudes and experiences of the many diverse participants. Whether foot-soldiers or generals, politicians or diplomats, dissidents, terrorists, writers, teachers, or simply men and women on the street, each voice tells its own story, and is woven into a compelling historical narrative that shifts seamlessly from one level of experience to another.
About the Author
NORMAN ROSE is a graduate of the LSE and now holds the Chair of International Relations at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem. A distinguished historian and Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, he is also the author of much acclaimed biographies.