Israel Books

Author Zvi Ruder explains the historical meaning of national symbols of the State of Israel and their roots in the Jewish tradition. Ruder cites a myriad of Hebrew-based traditions, quotes from religious figures, and the significance of milestones in Jewish history in an effort to expand his reader's knowledge of the unique culture and outlook of the People of Israel and their symbology. Throughout Ruder weaves scripture and quotes from Hebrew authors and poets, such as that of renowned Hebrew poet Avraham Shlonsky: "My country wraps itself in light as in a tallith...Here the beautiful town prays . .to the Creator." Those unfamiliar with Jewish history and traditions are provided extensive references at the conclusion of each chapter to assist in their understanding of the topic. Very well done indeed!

The book covers all aspects concerning the origin and meaning of Israeli flag. I recommend this book to everybody who is interested in Jewish history.

The most comprehensive study that ever done about the origin and meaning of the Israeli national flag colors. The author covers any possible aspect of the issue including tradition, religion , philosophy and politics. The book also include description of athor colors that are used in Israeli flags (Military, municipal etc.) and include color images of historical, local and international flags. The book is a "must" for every vexillologist and anybody who is interested in jewish history.

A fine, balanced, insightful, scholarly survey of Zionism and its dark side. This Israeli scholar issues an effective call for readers to take a more enlightened stand on an issue often clouded by ignorance and (anti-Palestinian)racial prejudice. As a former relief worker in the Middle East, I heartily endorse Prof. Beit-Hallahmi's book as an introduction to clear thinking and action about the realities of Palestine/Israel and other, broader, issues. As a professor of social ethics, I find this book well documented and well researched, bringing light to a question which often generates only heat and darkness.

This Haifa University Israeli scholar credibly demolishes the myths successfully established by a century of Zionist propaganda. He joins Marc Ellis and Meron Benvenisti(CITY OF STONE)as a courageous "voice in the wilderness" in an Israel where few leaders are willing to acknowledge the massive injustice done to the Palestinian people over the past fifty years. That such a devastating critique of the flawed foundation of a society can come from within it's own intelligentia is, oddly enough, a tribute to Israel and a sign of hope.

This book is remarkable. It ranges widely but is quite incisive! Covering about 200 years of Jewish life with special attention to the Zionist movement and the State of Israel.
Despite the title, it is not the breast beating of a bleeding hear liberal. It just states that facts and examines the arguments and concludes with a way forward.

True, he probably dwells too much on the "failures" of Zionism. (Zionsim failed to work as intended, that doesn't mean necessarily that it failed.) One might want to compare Tom Segev's ELVIS IN JERUSALEM assessment.

The chapter on religion is worth the price alone! He disentangles the groups like Gush Emunim, the Kach party, Agudat Israel, and Neturei Karta, which tend to get lumped together. Along the way the does much to give the lie to Israel Shahak JEWISH HISTORY, JEWISH RELIGION which sought to lay the sins of Zionism at the doorstep of "Classical Judaism." On the contrary, even today, there is an strong negative correlation between orthodoxy and zionism in Israel.

As for anyone who wishes to question his discussion of religious groups, I would like to point out that religion in Israeli life is a Dr. Beit-Hallahmi and his previous book DESPAIR AND DELIVERANCE deals with this very subject.

This book can provide plenty of help and guide for anyone traveling to Pakistan, foreigners in particular (she mentioned a few things in Lahore, my hometown, which even I did not know). I picked the book from my father's bookshelf to kill my time and ended up reading all of it. She explains most things about the local culture extremely well, without the usual negative tone that most other authors unconsciously get into (no offence for anyone please).

For me if a book gives you the information that you need and makes you read more than what you initially planned, is a five star, so is this one!

We visited North Pakistan, looking at the archaeology, and this guidebook was excellent- it covered virtually everything.
We ordered it from London, and it arrived very promptly - and cheaper than the price quoted by amazon.co.uk!

My journey home to Pakistan started a little over five years ago when I married a Pakistani national who had immigrated to the United States in the early nineties. The decision to visit my family back home in Lahore City was one that took nearly five years to make. After securing my flight at the height of the summer travel season and I might add the hottest time of year in that part of the Indian subcontinent I desparately sought out the most comprehensive travel guide I could find. Isobel Shaw's book is informative and a godsend to a novice traveller to the Indian subcontinent such as my self. From her descriptions of famous landmarks to the locations of hotels and hospices she gives an accurate account of what to expect. The index of Urdu phrases came in handy on several occasions as I do not speak or read the language and was often dependent on my husband's translating capability. The maps and descriptions of the different regions allowed us to the luxury of travelling to areas of Pakistan I might never have seen otherwise. My only regret is that we were unable to see more of Kashmir than the border checkpoint. Due to my blonde hair and western features the border guards were relunctant to let us in. Perhaps next time I shall be allowed to travel in that region. I would not hesitate to recommend Ms. Shaw's guidebook to anyone travelling in Pakistan. It is an informative and enjoyable book on the people and the country of Pakistan.

Pakistan is a fascinating and unfairly under-rated country. It certainly is one of the poorest in the world but its people are the most welcoming you will ever meet and the scenery is enthralling. I promised myself I'll keep returning to Pakistan every year since my first discovery trip (1998). Look no further for the best guidebook to Pakistan. This new edition is VERY detailed and informative and has even succeeded in improving on the already brilliant previous edition. In my opinion, Lonely Planet's updated 1998 edition is not bad either but does not compare. Have a wonderful journey ! And please, if you go to Lahore, don't miss the beautiful Wazir Khan mosque !

I really enjoyed this book and found it to be indespensible during two trips to Pakistan in the Summers of 03 and 04. A little skimpy on photos and the prices were outdated (it has not been updated since 1998 I wish they would too). other than that it was/is the best on the market, far more engaging and extensive than Lonely Planet. I see Footprint is expected to release a Guide to the Northern Areas. Although I welcome this I think far too many tourists neglect the four provinces down country. This is really where the guide book shines for it reveals so much about the majority of the country that other books neglect or skim over.

While in pursuit if my passion of travel, I have had the chance to use several types of guides, but never have I enjoyed reading any guide as this one. Very detailed, yet simply arranged, and excellent recommendations. Very accurate trekking information is also included in it, along with the typical "touristy" material. Maps could use a little more detail, as I saw it. Prices and other recommendations were excellent! Awesome job!

If anyone is going to Pakistan, I would highly suggest getting this book. There are so many things that I have never known even though I was there for several months.

I purchased this as a source for a class presentation. If my professor had not required that I have three sources, I would not have needed anything else. Great, up-to-date, practical information from someone who has been there. Great buy!

This succinct, highly readable guide to understanding Israeli culture and dealing with Israelis in business and social contexts makes observations solidly supported by academic research on the subject. Topics range from negotiating with Israelis to hot-button issues like religion and politics. The bibliography of books and Internet sites provides additional resources for those who want to know more. A must-read for Americans seeking successful intercultural communication with Israelis, whether in the U.S. or Israel.

I had originally purchased this book to use for a school project. While the book was extremely useful for my Human Resources class, I also found the issues and topics presented in the book to be of great interest. This book is easy reading, short and to the point.

After completing Paul Thompson's History of the Jews, I revisited my first reading in '95 of Personal Witness. This reading was much more meaningful in light of Thompson's outstanding work. Eban's cogent testimony of Israel's struggle for nationhood was filled with dextrous gems of awesome and often droll prose.

Eban's book also gives valuable insight into the workings of the United Nations and its genuine as opposed to perceived role in world government. His insights on the character of national leaders and venerated diplomats is frosting on the cake.

Highly recommend this difficult to lay down book for some eye-opening lucidation on Israel and its struggle against absurd obstacles.

Abba Eban was Israel's most articulate and persuasive Israeli spokesman to the world. His remarkable presentation of Israel's case at the time of the Six- Day War made many friends for Israel. He was a career diplomat of enormous intelligence and skill. In this work he looks at the struggle of Israel for statehood, recognition and peace with its neighbors. He is an inside observer , and one who does not refraim from criticism where he feels it due. His great intelligence and wisdom, his understanding of diplomacy and political reality are revealed in every page of this volume.
Read this book and you not only get to know about the history and development of Israel you also get to feel and perceive the heart and mind of one of its greatest representatives.

Known as the man with the "golden tongue," Eban recounts his years in Washington and at the U.N. as Israel's first envoy, and later as foreign minister. As the saying goes, he has been there, seen it and met with everyone who is anyone among the world's leaders in Israel's formative years.

I read a lot of books, but sometimes one comes along that really surprises me with its excellence, and this is one of those books. In this book, Professor Neil Bierling presents up-to-date information on those bad guys of the Old Testament, the Philistines. Combining the Biblical references to the Philistines with recent archeological finds, Prof. Bierling fleshes out the Philistines, following their history from their origination in the Aegean(!), through their arrival in Egypt and Canaan, their interaction with the Israelites, and on to their final destruction by the Babylonian Empire.

This is an excellent resource for any student of the Bible who has wondered who the Philistines really were. The author uses the Biblical references to them in a skillful way, showing where the archaeological finds have complemented the Biblical narrative, and where they have not. Indeed, he does not simply follow the Bible (though the Bible does give the book its organization), but follows the history of the Philistines as they interacted with such Middle Eastern nations as Egypt and Assyria.

So, let me just sum up by saying that this is a great book on the Philistines, one that is sure to amplify your understanding of who they were.

Thank you Prof. Bierling for writing a new study of the Philistines with all the latest archaeological information. This book is a fantastic resource for the subject and I really appreciate the lavish use of color plates. It should be required reading for every Bible student.

This is a completely new study, lavishly illustrated with 30 color plates... a must have for anyone interested in the Bible!

I enjoyed reading this book. It's written by an insider, a priest, who has lived in the Holy Land, and knows it well. He is quick to point out why certain places are believed to be actual sites where events occurred and what not to believe. He includes appropriate hymns and prayers for the holy sites. It is written for those taking a spiritual journey to the Holy Land.

I am leading a group of 48 people to the Holy Land and originally intended to compose a liturgy/sacred reading book for the group to use at each of the sites of our visit. I began to research all the relevant Scripture passages; for example, Elijah's battle with the Baals for our stop at Mt. Carmel; the Capernaum passages, etc. Then I discovered Fr. Doyle's book and Hallelujah! Saved me a ton of time. All the relevant Scripture references etc. and passages for all the key sites, along with appropos reflections, suitable hymns etc. This book is not an exegesis nor a history nor archeological text, but an excellent liturgical accompaniment.

I ordered 4 copies of this book last Sunday and paid for shipping next day air. You needed 1/2 days for handling. The books have not arrived and I'm leaving tomorrow (Sunday) for Israel. Please note: I'm not paying and will need to send these books back due to delay in arriving

I have grown up reading the biblical stories recounted in the Hebrew bible as essentially historical recollections. I have always had some reservations about their accuracy as historical fact and their exaggerations of the scale of the Exodus. This book dispels any notion that the Bible records history accurately or factually. This book strongly suggests that the Exodus, as described in the Bible, is a work of fiction and that the 40 year wandering in the desert is more a theological wandering than a historical event. It does appear, from having read this book twice, that much of Israel's history is fabricated for political purposes and exaggerated toward the Southern Kingdom's benefit. Even the revered Solomon's very existence is questionable. At best he may be a fairly minor king whose exploits and building projects are either non-existent or greatly enhanced by later scribal embellishment.

This is an excellent introduction to the latest research in Biblical Archaeology, presenting a middle ground between the Minimalist and Maximalist debate which has sought to polarise the issue over the last 15 years. Both Finkelstein and Mazar are leading exponents in the field of Post-processual Archaeology, but neither are afraid of examining where the Biblical record is confirmed or challenged by the findings of modern archaeology. For a balanced view, with good editorial summaries, this book looks at the various periods and brings the reader up-to-date with the findings of the latest ecavations.

This book is a great resource for those who are interested in the history of ancient Israel. It is written in a manner that is very informative, but not so academic that the material is meaningless to people to aren't scholars. The book is divided into sections, with each part consisting of a chapter by Finkelstein and a chapter by Mazar. The intent of the authors is to examine and evaluate the archaeological data that pertains to the history of Israel, which includes a look at what archaeology says about the period of the patriarchs, the story of the exodus, the conquest, and the monarchy. The book demonstrates in an engaging way that, while the authors disagree on the interpretation of some of the archaeological data they are both in agreement that the Hebrew Bible (the Old Testament) contains historical data within its pages, and is not, as some scholars would assert, a completely fictional work. The book also serves as a handy summary reference for the archaoleogical data pertaining to these topics.

I LOVE this book! Having traveled with Eva and Miriam and our happy band of six, all of these memories came flooding back. I'm giving it to family and friends for Christmas. If you know someone who also loves Israel, and may not easily travel there, this is a true gift. Fabulous!
Virelle Kidder, conference speaker and author

I was amazed, opening and flipping through, at how beautiful this book is. The photos and layout are just gorgeous. Digging a little deeper, I was pleased that the book isn't just a history or a Scripture lesson. Finding the history of Israel, written scriptures, personal accounts of Eva Marie's time spent there, married with beautiful photography by Ms. Feinberg Vamosh - what a feast!

This is my new coffee table book, to be picked up and read a bit at a time, when I need a cold, refreshing drink for my soul.

Wonderfully done. Incredible images. Poetic prose.

This is not a book that you will pick up once to look at just the pictures. Soak up Miriam's knowledge. Feel Eva Marie's joy, longing, and elation. No, this is a book that you will pick up over and over and over.

And you will be changed each time. A yearning will begin to stir in you, a yearning to draw closer to God.

Fall into this book and experience God's Holy Land like never before.