About book The Prime Ministers: An Intimate Narrative Of Israeli Leadership (2010)
Quick read about some of Israel's more notable Prime Ministers (Ben Gurion, Begin, Rabin, etc.). Fascinating read, if you're into contemporary Israeli history, especially Ben Gurion; how he used his dynamic personality to get what he wanted and what he felt was best for Israel. Begin and how he gave back the entire Sinai peninsular in the interest in peace. Book provides an interesting different perspective on a nation's leaders who are not Presidents, such as ours. Yehuda Avner has lived an amazing life. He was in Jerusalem during the War of independence, served directly with four Prime Ministers, interacted with US Presidents and clearly was immersed in numerous historical moments. I would love to meet with him and just listen- ok I would also pose lots of questions. Having said that, and knowing I would really like this guy, his book seriously disappointed me. In large part, the breath taking stories he refers to , have often been told better by others. I learned very little that was new. As an example, the authors love of Begin is fine, but a bit over the top. He sugar coats some of the opposing views, Begin's towering intellect, will power and eloquence comes thru, but the arguments of his opponents are not as well articulated here. Begin was able to stand up to these arguments in real life, but the nature of his intellectual triumphs are understated in Avner's book in direct proportion to the authors understating the voices of Begin's detractors. I had also hoped to learn more about Begin after his resignation and to learn more of his reasons for his subsequent silence- had Begin lost his mental capacities?, was he bitter?, did he conclude in the end he was wrong? As close as Avner was to Begin, The author says he does not know. So I suspect I would love to dialog with Avner, but I was disappointed with his work product .
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This is one of the best books I have ever read. A must for anyone interested in the Middle East.
—Gracie92
I learned much I hadn't known and reinforced what I had already known.
—vvsundaram
