Synopses & Reviews
The Lavi fighter program, the largest weapons-development effort ever undertaken by the State of Israel, envisioned a new generation of high-performance aircraft. In a controversial strategy, Israel Aircraft Industries intended to develop and manufacture the fighters in Israel with American financial support. The sophisticated planes, developed in the mid-1980s, were unique in design and intended to make up the majority of the Israeli Air Force. Though considerable prestige and money were at stake, developmental costs increased and doubts arose as to whether the Lavi could indeed be the warplane it was meant to be. Eventually the program became a microcosm for the ambitions, fears, and internal divisions that shaped both the U.S.-Israel relationship and Israeli society itself. But the fighter never made it to operational service, and until now, the full breadth and significance of the Lavi story have never been examined and presented.and#160;Lavi: The United States, Israel, and a Controversial Fighter Jet traces the evolution of the Lavi fighter from its genesis in the 1970s to its scrapping in August 1987. John W. Golan examines the roles of Israeli military icons and political leaders such as Ezer Weizman, Ariel Sharon, Menachem Begin, and Yitzhak Rabin in the program and in relation to their counterparts in the United States. On the American side, Golan traces the evolution of government policy toward the program, detailing the complex picture of the U.S. foreign policy apparatus and of U.S.-Israel relations in generalandmdash;from President Reaganandrsquo;s public endorsement of the program on the White House lawn to Defense Secretary Caspar Weinbergerandrsquo;s unremitting attempts to cancel it in succeeding years.
Review
"The first comprehensive biography about the leader and the man. . . . Aand#160;pioneering event in its field."and#8212;Time Out Tel Aviv
Review
and#8220;The most comprehensive and thorough biography published to date about Begin . . . will be of particular interest to American Jewsand#8221;and#8212;Benny Morris, author of 1948: A History of the First Arab-Israeli War
Review
"Avi Shilon has beautifully documented Menachem Begin's remarkable life and explained his complex character; in addition, this well-translated biography provides important insights into Begin's historic prime ministry."and#8212;Daniel Pipes, Middle East Forumand#160;
Review
"I read this book, which was written with immense talent and based on profound research, with great interest. This biography represents a decisive contribution to the truth."and#8212;Shimon Peres
Review
“A fully realized, important portrait of a significant 20th-century leader.”—
Kirkus, starred review
Kirkus
Review
and#160;andldquo;This first comprehensive biography of Menachem Beginandhellip;reveals a man of great contradictions and influence in the shifting political developments of his time.andrdquo;andmdash;Publishers Weekly
Review
“Shilon masterfully details Begins life.”—
Choice Choice
Review
Finalist for the 2012 National Jewish Book Awards in the Biography, Autobiography, Memoir category.
Review
and#8220;A fully realized, important portrait of a significant 20th-century leader.and#8221;and#8212;
Kirkus, starred review
Review
and#8220;Shilon masterfully details Beginand#8217;s life.and#8221;and#8212;
ChoiceReview
andldquo;A fascinating read, Lavi includes multiple books in one, discussing the tactical reasons leading to the development of the Lavi; examining the evolving political and budget intrigue leading to its cancellation; and offering a detailed technical analysis of the Lavi versus its alternatives. An important addition to Middle East aviation history.andrdquo;andmdash;Lon O. Nordeen, author of Air Warfare in the Missile Age and Fighters over Israel and commentator on the History Channel
Synopsis
The first full-scale biography of one of the most important—and enigmatic—leaders in Israeli history
Synopsis
The first full-scale biography of one of the most important--and enigmatic--leaders in Israeli history
This riveting biography is the first to provide a satisfactory answer to the question, Who was Menachem Begin? Based on wide-ranging research among archival documents and on testimonials and interviews with Begin's closest advisers, the book presents a detailed new portrait ofIsrael's founding leader. Among the many topics Avi Shilon holds up to new light are Begin's antagonistic relationship with David Ben-Gurion, his controversial role in the 1982 Lebanon War, his unique leadership style, the changes in his ideology over the years, and the mystery behind the total silence he maintained at the end of his career. Through Begin's remarkable life, the book also recounts the history of the right-wing segment of Israeli society, a story essential to understanding the Israel of today.
Synopsis
This riveting biography is the first to provide a satisfactory answer to the question, Who was Menachemand#160;Begin? Based on wide-ranging research among archival documents and on testimonials and interviews with Begin's closest advisers, the book presents a detailed new portrait ofIsrael's founding leader. Among the many topicsand#160;Avi Shilonand#160;holds up to new light are Begin's antagonistic relationship with David Ben-Gurion, his controversial role in the 1982 Lebanon War, his unique leadership style, the changes in his ideology over the years, and the mystery behind the total silence he maintained at the end of his career. Through Begin's remarkable life, the book also recounts the history of the right-wing segment of Israeli society, a story essential to understanding the Israel of today.
About the Author
John W. Golan has served as a designer, structural analyst, and engineering manager in the U.S. aerospace industry for the last two decades, developing future-generation technology concepts. He has published articles with Air Forces Monthly, Combat Aircraft, Aviation History, and the Jerusalem Post Magazine.