Israel Books

Came on time and was in wonderful condition.

this is an absolutely great read if you don't mind reading research. The book takes Weinberg's research of nurse staffing issues caused by managed care flaws, and makes it understandable- if you're an experienced, and policy-savvy nurse.

She uses the downfall of Beth-Isreal Hospital, once the best hospital in the nation (and the model for the Magnet Program), as an example of how disseminating nursing staff from the top to the bedside can result in horrendous quality failures.

A must-read for any nursing activist, or anyone who wants the low down on why there really isn't a nursing shortage, just a shortage of nurses willing to work in current conditions.

Although this book is based in the U.S., so much is the same in Canada. I would highly recommend this book for nurses [who may be trying to figure out 'what it's all about Alfie'], for nursing students and no doubt, the public - so they can gain a better understanding of what it is that nurses are up against. As one wise person put it - it's a pity that these corporate entities in charge of running our healthcare, know the cost of everything...yet the value of nothing ("The Peter Principle")! So much needless suffering all for a race to the "bottom-line"/dollar. Thank you for such an intelligent book!

I really enjoyed Code Green: Money Driven Hospitals and the Dismantling of Nursing. By telling the story of two hospitals that merged, one with a history of primary nursing and another with a team task driven approach the author speaks to the lack of a consistent role definition for nursing that caused the breakdown of service and quality at these two hospitals...also talked about the bottom line issue of money, the power issues in nursing, the importance of having nursing leadership in top hospital administration positions and so much more. Really gave me an insight into the pitfalls inherent in professional nursing practice as viewed through real problems which developed in the lives of real nurses in two prestigious medical institutions.

This is the greatest book. The Chaplain who lived this experience was very brave, caring and brilliant.

When my aunt told me about this book being published, I found and purchased it. The author, Monica Yost, was a high school classmate and friend of mine who I had lost touch with over the years. I started reading the last part of the book first about his family and now have a deeper respect for this Combat Chaplain and admiration for Monica for publishing this labor of love. I plan to read the entire book in the near future. My best wishes go to the whole family whom were blessed with his presence and guidance.

I purchased the book for my mom. Pastor Yost was the pastor at the church where she grew up and he confirmed her. She is enjoying the book very much.

Our present day army has only a relatively few divisions when compared to the 99 divisions it had at the end of World War II. As it has gotten deactivated divisions, it has retained the divisions that hold the highest honor. The 1st Division and the 29th Division went into Omaha on D-Day; they are still Army divisions.

The 100th Battalion of the 442 still exists.

The 100th entered combat with 1,432 men. Its nickname was 'Go For Broke.' It alsoearned the nickname 'Purple Heart Battalion' as it was depleted down to 521 men by 1944.

This book is by the chaplain of the 100th. It is based on letters that he wrote home, the journal he kept while in Europe and comments from members of his family and of the 100th. It was put together by Rev. Yost and was been prepared for more formal publication by his daughter after his death. It's a very worthwhile book, presenting an entirely different view that that usually seen by soldiers or commanders.

If you can read the appendix, which is a memorial speech he gave at a reunion of the 100th without tearing up, you have no soul.

To go with this book, I recommend the old Van Johnson movie 'Go For Broke.'

Moshe Aumann has come up with a critical book for these times. "Conflict and Connection" is a compelling read on changes taking place in the Jewish-Christian-Israel triangle. After 2000 years of antisemitism often orchestrated by traditional Christianity, it is refreshing to see Christian repentance over such past actions and a desire instead to build bridges of unconditional love to the Jewish community.

Aumann's book exposes the tragic past, discusses present-day cooperation as well as major differences, and provides ideas for a future where Jews and Christians must learn to walk together in unconditional friendship without forcing either side to agree theologically. May this book find its way into many hands and homes.

Frank Eiklor, President
Shalom International
Oceanside, California

This is a worthwhile look at some of the issues involved in the current mideastern conflicts. I suggest Victor Mordecai's books as an interesting counter point.

For those Christians who want to understand better the intricate and often difficult obstacles on the road to a better understanding and relationship between Jews and Christians this book of Moshe Aumann offers a wealth of insights and helpful information.

Jan Willem van der Hoeven, Director
International Christian Zionist Center in Jerusalem

Moshe Aumann has come up with a critical book for these times. "Conflict and Connection" is a compelling read on changes taking place in the Jewish-Christian-Israel triangle. After 2000 years of antisemitism often orchestrated by traditional Christianity, it is refreshing to see Christian repentance over such past actions and a desire instead to build bridges of unconditional love to the Jewish community.

Aumann's book exposes the tragic past, discusses present-day cooperation as well as major differences, and provides ideas for future where Jews and Christians must learn to walk together in unconditional friendship without forcing either side to agree theologically. May this book find its way into many hands and homes.

Frank Eiklor, President
Shalom International
Oceanside, California

This book is a collection of many of Saul Singer's columns and editorials for the Jerusalem Post.

One might think that there would be little for him to say. After all, Israel is a small nation. What it does probably isn't very important. Even if it were to do something drastically different, such as giving away most of its land, or starting a war with a neighbor, or forming a military alliance with Syria, one might wonder why that would be interesting. Worse, Israel's options are heavily constrained: it is unlikely to do much of anything at all.

Nevertheless, there's still quite a bit of value in these articles. For one thing, while Israel's options may be limited, it's still worth trying to keep track of what is happening in the region and in the world. A second point is that much of what is written about Israel is intentionally inaccurate, misleading, or simply thoughtless. It's good to have someone around to provide some accuracy and clarity. Finally, many of the problems we see in the Levant have larger implications, and this makes what Singer writes important for everyone.

One theme of Singer's is the folly of "evenhandedness." That is, the European Union tends to support the Arabs in their war against Israel. The United States purports to be a fair and honest broker that can bring peace to both sides. Singer points out more than once that this doesn't work. A neutral approach towards ending fights favors bullies. After all, if the aggressor and the victim are to be treated equally, why not be an aggressor? And this is in fact one of the reasons that we don't have serious progress towards peace between Israel and the Arabs.

I liked the variety of subjects that Singer addressed and found his views thoughtful and interesting. I recommend his book.

Topical essay collections are often a hit or miss proposition since the essays can appear dated by the time they are re-published in collection form. Yet somehow, writing about the Middle East never seems irrelevant no matter how much time has passed. This is true of Saul Singer's new book. Singer, Jerusalem Post editorial writer and columnist has collected much of his writings for the Post between the year 1998 and the summer of 2003, particularly those concerning the war on terrorism being fought and faced by both the United States and Israel. Singer contends this is the same war and I agree with him. The essays, most of which are unsigned editorials Singer penned for the Post and a number of which are from his weekly column "Interesting Times", are arranged largely, though not totally chronologically and each one is proceeded by an introduction written by Singer this summer, before the book was published. These introductions create a cohesiveness of the essays by tying them to current conditions. For example, on many occasions, post 9/11, the Post was critical of what it saw as American equivocation on Palestinian terrorism. In a number of his introductions to editorials of this nature, Singer acknowledges where his assumptions turned out to be pre-mature or mistaken.

Taken together the book is a striking history of the major issue of Islamic fascism facing Israel and the world since Sept. 2000. Looking back at these events reminded me of many things I had forgotten. It is always useful to go back and examine events one lived through since the perspective is very different when one has knowledge of the future.

From my perspective Singer, an American who made aliyah a number of years ago, is a centrist, which is to say he would give up land to create a Palestinian state if he thought such a state would live peacefully with Israel. But like much of today's "neo-cons", Singer believes that Israel must win the war in which it is engaged just as the United States must. He is scornful of Israel and American "elite" which try to appease the terrorists. It should also be noted that Singer is a firm believer in the free market and many of his editorials have called for serious economic reform of the Israeli economy, which is still essentially socialist.

All in all this book is a must read for anyone interested in a sensible review of the events affecting the peace of Israel and the United States over the past three years. And the Jerusalem Post is a must read for anyone looking for sensible commentary on the current world scene.

Covering the Palestinian/Arab war against Israel from 1997 to the present day, a writer for the Jerusalem Post presents here a series of essays that should be mandatory reading for anyone with the remotest interest in the Middle East.

The book covers a whole series of issues relating to the so called "peace process" which cannot all be addressed within the space of a review. One of the principal issues covered in this work is the ongoing construction of the so called "security wall/fence" along the boundaries of Judea/Samaria (West Bank) etc.. The "security wall/fence" being cited in the book as really being "constructed" by the Palestinians and not by the Israelis, with an elaboration being made that the structure only came into being following the many thousands of Palestinian terrorist attacks upon Israelis. Further amplification being made that if the Palestinian leadership fulfilled their requirement under the so called "road map" in disarming and disbanding the Palestinian terrorist groups then the "security wall/fence" would be irrelevant in any case.

Further to the "peace process" itself the book describes the European Union as largely taking the Palestinian side in the conflict and that a refusal to label the Palestinians as the "aggressors" has made the conflict virtually impossible to end by providing an "inbuilt incentive" for Palestinians to restart hostilities as soon as any "talks" break down. This is discussed in some detail. Reference is made to the Palestinian Authority, Yasser Arafat, Mahmoud Abbas, or anyone else in authority, having given no indication whatsoever of being prepared/willing to confront Hamas, Islamic Jihad and other terrorist groups. The latter shown to be allowed to operate freely by the Palestinian leadership within all the Palestinian autonomous areas.

Page 136 discusses the attitude depicted within these Palestinian groups where they claim a right to "retaliate" after Israel kills what is termed as one of their "terrorist masterminds" responsible for attacking Israelis etc.. The book discusses the matter at length and describes the underlying attitude of the Palestinian terrorist groups as being of "schoolyard logic" which cries "it all started when he hit me back".

The book makes a number of comparisons between Israel's "war against terrorism" and the parallel "war against terrorism" of the US. Both are described as facing the same enemy with the same strategy. The US & Israel both also depicted in the book as being at the receiving end of what the same "jihad" & an expansionist war by militant Islam that cannot tolerate any form of non-Islamic power.

Having said that, at the beginning of the book the writer describes his first visit to the US following the September 11th terrorist attacks and goes to some length to describe his shock at a fundamental difference in the society of both nations. The book recounts astonishment at the number of US civilians at outdoor cafes and shopping malls without the presence of any noticeable security guards checking people at the entrances etc.. Something described as a far cry from Israel's stringent, ever present security measures, which are depicted as an almost unnoticed part of everyday life in the Jewish state. The shock at the lack of such measures in the US being illustrated as an "almost reckless form of freedom". The book not decrying the situation in the US but just using this as an example of how terrorism has affected two nations in a different manner at the present time, as if the respective peoples currently live in "different worlds".

This is an extremely interesting, composed, well written, incisive study into the common threats facing the US, Israel and the West, as well as an informed insight into the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Highly recommended. Thank you.

I read many of the pages of this book in the Jerusalem Post where Saul Singer has both a weekly column, and often writes the editorial page. He is very insightful on the whole subject of the Terrorist war now being waged against Israel. And he understands very well the kinds of media - bias Israel continually faces. He is a very sane and balanced writer, a rationalist who builds his arguments carefully. He is also it can be seen a decent person motivated not by hatred of the ' enemy' but by a strong desire to find a way toward peace in a better Middle East. American born he too has a good insight into the political realities of the world's single superpower and of the US- Israel relationship. There is much to be learned from reading this excellent collection. And for the honest and open- minded there is a deeper understanding of the Arab - Israel conflict than is generally presented in the world's media.

The book is exacly what the title says. If you want to become a better teacher or would like to know what to do when your asked to be one, this is the book. I now use this book as a foundation to prepare lessons, different methods, styles and motivational tactics.

"Galindo's book is practical and helpful for those who want to become better and more effective teachers. Galindo is a careful writer and uses humor well to make his points. The book is full of helpful illustrations. The title comes from one of his workshop attendees who said that she took his class so that she "could become a very good teacher." For pastors or church educators-perhaps one in the same-this book offers an ample array of ideas. Teachers can easily apply Galindo suggestions. This book would make an excellent gift for a staff person or volunteer who oversees any church's educational ministries."
-excerpted from a review in Clergy Journal, March 2000

This is a very accessible, practical book on basic Christian teaching-learning--from theory to "how to". We bought copies for all of our church teachers!

I'm giving this book 5 stars despite some reservations I have about some of what Galindo offers here, particularly in the area of learning psychology. I'll discuss this more below, but in terms of specific methodologies and approaches to learning in a Christian context, I think this book is full of very good information that teachers and even preachers can refer to repeatedly in their pursuit of becoming very good teachers.

In discussing the craft of teaching, Galindo spends considerable time at the outset of the book discussing how people learn, and how learning itself is multi-faceted and fluid. Galindo interacts with many secular studies about the psychology of learning, what kind of teaching stimulates certain kinds of learning, retention levels, and the all important issue of application of learning. Galindo's extensive interaction with secular studies could be considered either a strength or a weakness in his approach. I consider it to be a strength, though it is noteworthy that at the same point in the book where Galindo is laying the groundwork for Christian teaching by relying heavily on secular studies, he also says that Christian teaching is unique and altogether different from non-Christian teaching. There's an appearance of inconsistency here that Galindo doesn't really deal with, but it's probably minor and I didn't think it ultimately undermined the good stuff he gets to later on in the book. The same could also be said of the notion that 'you can't teach anybody anything'. Galindo too often resorts to bumper sticker axioms in the first section of the book which are easily misconstrued and frankly lessen the impact of his otherwise serious treatment of the subject matter. But again, these things were more annoyances than anything else and do not significantly detract from the meat he offers later.

The strengths of the book are Galindo's assertion that Christian teaching is unique because we are not dealing in teaching merely about facts or events, but about relating to a Person, Jesus Christ. This should necessarily impact on how we conduct our teaching, according to him, and I think that's correct. In the second part of the book, Galindo puts the groundwork laid in the first section to use in suggesting very practical teaching methodologies and approaches to stress relational learning that emphasizes application and relationship. There's lots of good stuff in here that's very practical and should prove very helpful to teachers throughout the church, as well as to church leaders who are looking to strengthen their education programs. While it's true that the reader can get the impression that Galindo is unnecessarily downplaying traditional learning methods by so stressing relationality and application, I do think he's pretty much on the mark in making a case that in Christian teaching specifically, if learning in the classroom doesn't translate into application on the street, our teaching can't really be considered successful.

So while there is some minor chaff here that we could do without, there is a good harvest of healthy wheat in here that is worth paying attention to. Churches expend a lot of resources in their education programs, and I have yet to meet a single pastor who is totally satisfied with the results. That alone makes Galindo's book worth reading, and possibly worth providing to those people in the church whom God has called to teach.

I've heard this book had a hard time getting published, before it received an award for best book on American diplomacy in its year and got strong endorsements from Henry Kissinger, George Schultz, and others on that level. I guess that says something about how willing US publishers are to expose hard truths that the book was finally self-published. Cursed is a well-written, meticulously detailed and documented independent writer's investigation into some sad realities of our recent history in Lebanon, alongside an admiring portrait of the late US diplomat Philip Habib and a scathing one of Ariel Sharon. If you wonder why diplomacy might be tough, especially given the US agenda in the Middle East, this book will give you some insights. If you're thinking about going into the Foreign Service, this book will draw the veil aside.

Here is a true and engaging story that goes to the heart of a
bloody feud unresolved since 1947. "Cursed is the Peacemaker" is
the go-to book for the historical drama of what it took to
negotiate that brief shining moment when there was-- as close as
it gets-- to a cease-fire between Israelis vs. Palestinians and
others in the Arab world.

Author John Boykin (a former editor at Stanford Magazine)
recounts the gripping story through the eyes and viewpoint of
Philip Habib, Reagan's Special Envoy charged with the enormous
task of staunching the bloodshed and destruction in Beirut in
1982...in 1947 and left with an unfulfilled United Nations mandate that
was to have been, like Israel, the provision for their homeland,
some Palestinians relocated to West Beirut where Palestinian
leaders carried on the battle against Israel, which retaliated.
In June 1982, Israel invaded Lebanon and laid siege to Beirut to
destroy the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) once and
for all. The PLO is the umbrella of organizations that leads the
Palestinian diaspora.

President Reagan gave Habib, the Brooklyn-born son of Lebanese
immigrants, the task of talking to the warring sides and
persuading them to make some changes. Everything from vitally
important matters down to the price of Israeli pickles was thrown
on the table and it was up to Habib to sort it out. He convinced
the Israelis to stop shooting long enough for thousands of
Palestinian guerrillas to sail from the Mediterranean port city
under the watchful eyes of a multi-national force of 800 U.S.
Marines, 900 French and 500 Italian soldiers. This was no easy
feat. Habib persuaded the Palestinians to leave their families
behind in the West Beirut refugee areas of Sabra and Shatila with
their safety guaranteed by the multi-national force and the word
of Ariel Sharon.

This very readable story explains how imperfectly Habib
accomplished his task and yet how Habib's work stands as the
blueprint for the diplomacy that a person of iron will and
stature will need if ever there is to be a negotiated end to
this war that rips at the heartland of Christian, Jewish and
Muslim civilizations.

Boykin recounts the history in an engaging way and he's careful
not to assert his own opinions. The viewpoints he presses are
those that he documents were those of Habib, the talented, hard-
working, often gruff U.S. negotiator.

The book's completeness is a tribute to Boykin's persistence in
using, among other resources, the Freedom Of Information Act,

archives at Georgetown University's Foreign Affairs Oral History
Program, and extensive interviews with Habib's peers, his bosses
and underlings to piece together this important story about a
critical juncture in the life of an historical figure who
steadfastly refused to talk to reporters during negotiations.

Boykin provides the listening post for readers to "overhear" the
blunt conversations between Habib and the Marine Colonel James
Mead whom Habib came to rely upon to keep warring parties apart.
But Mead was no patsy. While he came to grudgingly respect Habib,
he was protective of those in his command. Boykin lays out the
negotiating positions of the various sides, noting that the
intransigence, the absolutist positions by Israel and Syria were
non starters.

Boykin conducted interviews with dozens of well-known diplomatic
players who knew Habib well-- everyone from Nobel Laureate Oscar
Sanchez Arias to Henry Kissinger (who knew Habib from his days
negotiating an end to the U.S. war in Viet Nam).

It can safely be said that there can be no peace in the Middle
East until there is a measure of justice for the massacre at
Sabra and Shatila, refugee camps that resemble acres of the
crowded tenement buildings that dot working class areas of New
York City. In these camps, Christian Phalangists went door to
door wantonly murdering more than 800 Palestinians while Israeli
soldiers stood guard seeing to it that no Palestinian could
escape. Details of what led to the massacre, for which even the
Israelis hold Ariel Sharon culpable, are of historical
importance.

Boykin describes what went on behind the scenes just before the
massacre of Palestinians on September 16-18, 1982. It was the
tragedy Habib had labored all summer to prevent and in the end,
he didn't, in part because Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger
withdrew the Marines who were charged with keeping the warring
parties apart. When the Marines left, the French and Italians
also left Beirut. That their families would be protected was the
key to persuading the Palestinians to lay down their guns and
leave Beirut. That Ariel Sharon broke his word and allowed his
soldiers to stand guard while mass murder was committed can not
be glossed over, especially since two decades later, Sharon
became Israel's elected leader.

This story is a microcosm for what has gone wrong in the Middle
East. If peace is to come to the region, this story may contain
kernels of the reconstructed blueprint for what, along with iron will, is needed to find a peaceful solution.

Habib told Asad of Syria, he (Habib) was nothing if not a man of principle.
Habib saw in Hafiz Asad a staunch supporter.
Rigidly and puritanically attached to neutrality considering the political animosities between Lebanon (Bashir) and Syria (Asad), Habib was labelled `adventurous' when he took and maintained firm stand supporting the election of Bashir Gemayel to the Presidency of Lebanon.

Habib's faith never faltered at times USA's image was construed as one of vacillation and indecision.
From the beginning, he kept reminding his listeners that USA traditional policy, for the better sake of each party, had been to maintain neutrality.
Initially he had come to Lebanon strenuously dedicated to easing the tension between PLO and Israel, to find himself walking on tight rope attached to four corners, Israel/Lebanon/PLO/Syria, and each side had his `knife' readily available to cut the rope.

His biggest pressure was to put an end to civilians' bloodshed preceded only by Mother Theresa.

Philip Habib had an impressive opponent in the person of Menahim Begin the Prime Minister of Israel, but perhaps his main challenge remained the portly protective and aggressive shadow of Ariel Sharon.

"Cursed is the Peacemaker" tells the story of how legendary diplomat Philip Habib negotiated an end to the Israeli siege of Beirut in 1982. The book is based on declassified documents and interviews with friends and colleagues of Habib. It is well-written and does a great job of conveying the atmospherics and intrigue of a sensitive, high-level diplomatic mission. As pure diplomatic history, however, it leaves much to be desired, since it glosses over the negotiating details and often fails to put developments into a broader political context -- at times, the history gets buried beneath the war stories, great quotes, inside-Washington gossip, and focus on Habib's colorful personality. But these are quibbles: the book is a real page-turner. Anyone interested in State Department history or the modern Middle East will love it.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book. As a praise and worship leader, the book really brings home the ultimate message which is having a deeper relationship with God. highly recommended.

I highly recommend this book! It brought meto a new level of understanding worship and what it means to be a true worshipper of God from my heart. You will be blessed!

The cover alone touches the spirit!!! You can actually see his heart beating!!! The reading? Soul-touching. You will go to a deeper level!!

Israel Houghton challenges you to deeply explore and live your spirituality - today! Worship leader of Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church and Grammy Award-winning artist, Houghton quickly describes how fame and fortune are NOT the answer to a successful, vibrantly alive ministry. Indeed, that path begins IS a consecration of one's life, which means that the sacred penetrate every facet of one's mental, emotional, and physical experience. This is not a book for dabblers or observers!

Houghton and the New Breed Band ministry set aside a forty-day time period in which each person would conduct a media fast, healthier lifestyle and deeper prayer. The latter would mean more listening and perceiving rather than talking about one's desires or needs.

The results have been outstanding for each member and the band as a sacred body. Naturally the gap was filled with awareness of relationships needing forgiveness, an invitation to commune with God both with and without the Bible, a relinquishment of self-directed or useless busyness, a clarity about what foods or activities are actually essential to life, a union with God in place of ego-driven performance, an emphasis on spiritual character rather than visible talent, seeing the blessings in whatever comes one's way, and so much more. Each band member comments on what he or she has experienced and song lyrics written during this time are included, as well as a companion study guide for the reader's journey in experiencing a similar blessing that is only the beginning of worshipping at a deeper level.

World visions and dreams begin at home and then grow large, in that order! A Deeper Level is MUST READING for every Christian or spiritual being serious about the anointing that is one's divine birthright!

This is a must have book to live and share, in that order! One of the best spiritual books this reviewer has read in a very long while!

Reviewed by Viviane Crystal on August 26, 2007

A truly great book! Maoz has shown that Israel, like other nations, has failed to take in the best interests of its people by failing to see the outcome of their actions. That's not to say they always tried to do the wrong thing, but unfortunately it comes across that way. The United States and its disastrous war in Iraq is another example. Read and learn!

Prof. Maoz analyzes the evidence underlying the basic beliefs about Israel's military policy and history, held by most Israelis and supporters of Israel. From a pro-Israel perspective, Maoz's work is a call for change within Israel to promote new institutions that would lead to non-military solutions. The chapter pointing out the flaws in Israel's nuclear policy is extremely important in view of the current nuclear build-up in Iran.

This is a truly weird book. It is really big and thick, with all sorts of references. It's very scholarly. And it even discusses some interesting issues. But I still don't like it very much.

First of all, the topic is strange. Plenty of Arabs want to destroy Israel. Does it even make sense to ask what Israel ought to do? Israel is a small nation and it is at great risk no matter what it does. In any case, this book not only asks such a question but gives some answers.

Zeev Maoz appears to believe that most of Israel's wars were simply folly. After all, there are indications that with hindsight, Israel had other options! Well, maybe that's true. But most nations make plenty of errors when they have to make decisions about whether or not to fight a war. In my opinion, Israel has done an above average job here. And even Maoz points out that he is not trying to deny that other nations (especially the Arabs) have often made far worse decisions than has Israel; he just wants to point out where Israel could have done better in the past and where it could improve in the future.

I disagree most with the author when he characterizes various Israeli wars as optional. The Israelis might indeed have avoided war for a short time by doing something else. The Israelis might even have gotten a couple of pieces of paper in exchange for something of real value at various times. But such speculations are not only counterfactual (that's not what happened, so we can't be totally sure it could have), they also ignore much of what might have happened after that.

As an annoying aside, this characterization of Israel's wars makes it look a little like the Israeli people and their leaders simply did not want to survive. After all, when the easiest way to die is to get into a war, it's suicidal to choose war when peace is available! I don't believe that the Israelis or their leaders have been suicidal, and I doubt that Maoz believes it, so I am wary of a book that might imply such nonsense.

Time after time, Maoz criticizes Israel for doing something that seemed reasonable at the time. Israel's serious attempts to avoid or deter the 1973 war look as though they are dismissed out of hand. When we get to the Arab attacks on Israel in 2000, Maoz casually (and very dubiously) blames the start of the violence on Sharon's visit to the Temple Mount! I don't mind asking a lot of tough questions, but I think Maoz goes overboard when he implies that virtually everything Israel has done has been wrong. He should have done a better job of separating really clear errors from decisions which made far more sense (and may even have been ideal).

Still, there is good news about the book. Maoz does ask about various Israeli strategies for retaliation against attacks (including limited ones). And I think these are very good questions to ask, even though they may, quite unfairly, imply that everything would be just fine were Israel to do the right thing all the time. There is also an interesting section dealing with Israel's nuclear strategy. Here, Israel is encouraged to give up its nuclear weapons as part of a deal to make the region free of such weapons. If it were that simple to make such a deal and have it honored, I think there would already be peace in the Middle East, so I am not so sure how brilliant Maoz is being here.

With all due respect to the author, I think this book exaggerates Israel's ability to influence its own future. I suspect that Maoz would (possibly quite correctly) reply that I am underestimating Israel's ability to do just that.

I think even the detractors of this book will have to at least admit that this book is a very brave endeavor by the author. The analysis that Maoz gives us here is at times subjective which does leave the author open to criticism, but he takes such a scientific approach in analyzing the evidence that any critic will be hard pressed to find flaws in his methodology.

The book is not for the casual reader or those with just a passing interest in Israel or the Arab/Israeli conflict. The author uses almost fifty pages at the very beginning of the book to explain to readers his methodological approach to analysis of Israeli defense policy. I for one have never read such a detailed analysis of an approach to analysis before. Any potential reader should be prepared for a dense work that requires a lot from the reader.

If you decide to take on this book I think you will be rewarded with the best analysis of Israeli defense policy there is out there. The information is neutral and based on the best evidence available and presented in a rational and almost clinical fashion.

Maoz goes into great detail about how the IDF has had too much influence on policy making decisions within the government, and how civilian leadership has played a subservient role to defense needs. He goes on to explain how this lack of civilian leadership has created a process by which military solutions to conflicts take a priority role over political solutions. This has affected Israel's peace making efforts in the region. Israel has been all to willing to embark on some extremely risky military adventures to seek an end or at least an improvement vis-à-vis its neighbors, but at the same time Israel has been unwilling to try even moderately risky attempts at political solutions.

Maoz attributes some of this to the fact that Israel's founding elites instilled a siege mentality during the founding and early days of the Israeli state. Unfortunately this siege mentality has persisted even after the realities on the ground have taken on some fundamental changes. Israel now has a large conventional edge on all of its enemies, and Israel, for the foreseeable future, has no real existential threat from those states in the area. This does not mean that Israel is safe, but what it should mean is that Israel should have more political room to maneuver and seek political solutions that will further its security.

When Israel has taken some risk for political solutions it has benefited enormously, as when Israel finally accepted Sadat's overtures for negotiations which lead to the Israeli/Egyptian peace treaty. This peace, even though it has been a cold peace, has lifted an enormous burden from Israel. This should have been the template for Israeli peace policy towards its neighbors but unfortunately Israel seemed to take no lessons from this peace, but instead Israel insists on focusing on Arab rhetoric which is not grounded in reality nor are these states pursuing policies that could make their rhetoric a reality.

Israel is in a relatively safe position right now. They have an economic, social and military edge over every one of their potential enemies and Israel should try to capitalize on its improved position by bargaining for peace and establishing a WMD free zone in the Middle East. These types of policies could possibly go along way in bringing security to the Israeli state and it could lighten the defense burden which could free up money that is needed for infrastructure and social programs within Israel.

Maoz goes into all of this and more. His discussion of Israel's nuclear policy is fascinating, and his information on the economic aspects of Israel's defense policy and its economic situation as a whole was extremely elucidating. All in all I found this book to be an invaluable contribution to the discussion. This is one book that anyone who seriously studies this region and Israel cannot do without. I highly recommend this book.

This book has been an excellent help in my Bible study, as it helps me locate the area I am reading about in the Bible and shows on the map overlay what that country is called now.
Highly recommended.

This is a full-color Bible atlas that includes the following Bible maps and clear plastic modern overlays showing today's cities and countries. Below is a listing of (1) each map, (2) each overlay, and (3) the contents of the CD-ROM and (4) how this product compares to other Bible map books on the market.

#1 & #2 What maps and overlays are included?
o The Middle East during Old Testament Times
o Clear Overlay of modern-day Middle East
o Map of the Assyrian Empire at three different time periods
o Clear Overlay of same areas with modern-day countries
o The Holy Land during the time of the Old Testament (12 Tribes)
o Clear Overlay of modern-day Israel and surrounding countries
o The Holy Land with territory of Kings Saul, David, and Solomon.
o Clear Overlay of modern-day Israel and surrounding countries
o The Holy Land showing the United and Divided Kingdoms
o Clear Overlay of modern-day Israel and surrounding countries
o Map of the Babylonian Kingdoms and Persian Empire
o Clear Overlay of same areas with modern-day countries
o The Holy Land during the time of Jesus (and a list of where Jesus walked)
o Clear Overlay of modern-day Holy Land
o Paul's Journeys (Roman Empire at AD 60)
o Clear Overlay of modern-day Mediterranean area.
o List of Paul's journeys and routes
o Chart of Paul's letters (date, where written, and to whom)
o Abraham's Journeys (2 maps)
o Jacob's Journeys
o Joseph's Journey to Egypt
o The Exodus and Wilderness Wanderings
o The Tabernacle layout (birds-eye view)
o Map of Jerusalem at the time of Kings David and Solomon
o Map of Jerusalem at the Time of Jesus
o Tomb of Jesus
o Chart of major and minor prophets, location, to whom they prophesied
o Kingdoms of Daniel 2
o New Testament and Old Testament Time Line
o Journeys of Peter and Philip
o Expansion of Christianity in the Roman Empire
o Index

3. On the CD-ROM
o JPG's of all of the maps listed above, so that can be used in your own Bible material or make your own PowerPoint® presentations. If you don't have time to make your own PowerPoint presentation, there is a 50-slide presentation using the same maps: Then and Now Bible Maps: PowerPoint Presentation (PowerPoint Presentations).
o PDF's of all of the maps listed above, so that can be used to make overhead transparencies or full-page handouts


Larger type size than most Bible atlases.

4. How does this compare to the other Rose Publishing (and Ascension Press) Then and Now Bible Map books?
1. This book has 29 base maps (the other two have 8 base maps)
2. This book has 40 pages (the other two have 20 pages)
3. This book has 8 plastic overlays (the other two have 7)
4. This book has a CD-ROM that gives you all of the maps in a reproducible way (the other two are not reproducible and have no CD)
5. The book has a spine (the other two do not)
6. This book is $10 higher (list price) than the other two.

The historical facts presented, with overlays of present-day situations are extremely useful for Bible study and teaching. The JPGs of the maps save so much of time in preparing notes and presentations.

This is definitely a great source for finding Biblical locations and referencing them to present day geography however it is so much more than that. Biblical history is summarized in charts and diagrams. The Time Lines of the Old Testament and New Testament reference the books of the Bible to Biblical history, World history, and politcal rulers (Old Testament) of the time. Activities of Jesus' life are indexed by date on the NT Time Line. Much attention is given to Paul's travels in text as well as with maps. The fold-out maps(seperate item) are a great help to quickly locate areas however this source provides even more details to the maps and offers much more than can be summarized on the fold-outs.

"Who knew? Who knew the answers to some of life's big questions? At forty-eight she was starting to feel that she had more questions than answers." Thus Elizabeth sets out on a courageous journey to look backward in order to make sense of her future. This is an engaging story about a woman's quest for her inner spirituality and finds it deep in the beauty, love and death she encounters in the Holy Land. What starts as a "getaway" turns into a reclamation of Elizabeth's love for her family. But she must receive it first from the people who take her in as family and love her unconditionally. She must receive it first from a God that was a concept and turned into a warm, living Savior. Read it twice!

Cheryl Dickow masterfully guides her readers through a journey to the Holy Land in her new fiction novel Elizabeth. Readers will experience the culture and customs of a land that is wonderfully different from our own. Join Liz Gantry, the main character of Elizabeth, as she rediscovers meaning in a life with which she has become so dissatisfied. Readers will identify with the desire that drives each of us to constantly seek the value of our own existence. Join Elizabeth on a memorable journey that will lead her full circle back to the treasures she already has. My compliments to Cheryl Dickow on her wonderful new book, Elizabeth!
Rosemary McDunn/ Author of The Green Coat A Tale from the Dust Bowl Years and When Kids Dream and Trucks Fly

Cheryl has written an excellent book which I had a hard time putting down. Those women who are feeling down about getting older will come away encouraged to know that what they are feeling is felt and understood by others. She is to be praised for the importance she puts on being a wife and mother in a world that devalues that calling and service. Even though it is inspirational it is also a great work of fiction.

While the title would make you think you were going to read about the land of Israel it is really about the most important part of the Holy Land, it's people. They have endured hardships just because they are Jewish yet Cheryl touches on their secret of survival which is loving God and as commanded by Him loving their fellow man. In this book Christians are given insight into the richness and beauty of the Jewish roots of our faith.

There are surprises in the book , some of which I won't share so as not to spoil it for anyone. You will have an unanswered question which will make you want the sequel to be released soon. And just when you think it has ended Cheryl has added some information for each chapter to help apply some of her insights to your own life and also she shares some of the web sites where we can get more information.

Cheryl Dickow is a fairly new writer who will soon be in the ranks of the best.

Beth Gantry, Liz, Elizabeth...the main character of Elizabeth: A Holy Land Pilgrimage is many things to many people. What seems unclear in the opening pages of this debut novel from established non-fiction author Cheryl Dickow is how Elizabeth will be able to reconcile her roles as wife, mother and teacher with the woman she feels she has always wanted to become.

In the opening pages of this engrossing story, we meet Elizabeth and depart with her on the journey of a lifetime: her solo trip to Israel. She has dreamed of this pilgrimage for many years, but in the end it appears to be her discontent with her life that drives her to finally embark on her voyage. Beth has given her life to serving others and has come to feel only disappointment and resentment in return for her loving efforts. Her relationship with her husband Luke is strained to the point of near divorce. She feels a growing gulf between herself and her teenage children, the oldest of whom has flown the coop for college. Even her spiritual life seems dry and distant.

Beth looks at her journey to Israel as an opportunity to regain the life she feels she has missed out on in all of her efforts to care for others. "Her ache for what life hadn't yet held was becoming almost unbearable at times." Leaving her children in the care of her very driven and increasingly distant husband, Beth throws herself into her travel. Her desire is not to have the typical tourist experience of the Holy Land. Rather, she arranges for apartment housing in hopes of truly experiencing the traditions of the Jewish people. After having spent years studying the Jewish culture, "Elizabeth wanted to know, up close and personal, what is was like to live as a `chosen one'."

Elizabeth's logistical efforts are rewarded immediately when she meets the friendly neighbors at her Jerusalem accommodations. Meir and Ayala Goldfarb, along with their adult children David and Miriam, immediately embrace Elizabeth as a part of their family's Sabbath celebrations and she finds herself invited to dine and worship with them.

Just as the reader is joining Elizabeth in settling in to her wonderful scenario, unexpected tragedy strikes. Beth, at the urging of a very concerned Luke, contemplates cutting her trip short but eventually decides to remain in Jerusalem. The ensuing events draw her even more closely into the Jewish rituals and traditions she has longed to experience. Ultimately, through her wonderful relationship with the Goldfarb family, she meets Sipporah and Rachel, who will become her guides. Their tutelage is both historical and spiritual - embracing their companionship Elizabeth ultimately reconnects with her own personal spirituality. A fire is lit within her as she reconnects with God with a new intensity.

Interspersed throughout the accounts of Elizabeth's trip, we find Luke experiencing his own journey of sorts. As he steps in for the role his wife has played within the family, he begins to understand her perspective and his part in the damage that has occurred in their relationship. Like Beth, he finds himself longing for a deeper and more convicted connection with God. But has his marriage suffered too greatly to be repaired? The closing chapters of this lovingly crafted novel bring a tender response to this dilemma.

Elizabeth: A Holy Land Pilgrimage is not the typical inspirational novel. Part travelogue, part history lesson, part Bible study, this book blends a wonderful story with empathetic characters. Author Cheryl Dickow's research and attention to detail are apparent in this smartly written tale. Dickow's strengths lie in both character development and in educating the reader without taking on an overly dogmatic tone. In reading this novel, I learned a tremendous amount about Jewish culture and its relevance to the roots of Christianity. The close connection I felt with several of the characters in this book, along with my admiration for the wisdom and spiritual reflections of author Cheryl Dickow, leave me hoping that we will be treated to a sequel to Elizabeth: A Holy Land Pilgrimage.