Israel Books

This book is a must read. The author begins speaking of the two rabbis who approached the so-called "land without a people" in 1898 and observed how beautiful a place it was but that it was 'married to another man'. Karmi focuses on the point that the 1948 'Nakba' has over time been sidelined in negotiations and mainstream media to be replaced by more recent 'realities on the ground' caused since 1967 in the occupied (now "disputed" due to weak journalism) territories. There is also some extremely interesting early European Jewish history in the opening stages of the book, later only to be wiped out by the apathy of Europe and the horrors of the Nazi holocaust.
Karmi's summary of the timeline from this date through the first Camp David accords to the 2006 Gaza implosion is told beautifully. Each time she describes the internal inefficiency that paralysed the Palestinians from coherent action in talks, she explains how Israel rejected every attempt by the Arab states who compromised for peace and preferred to do separate deals with them individually fragmenting their unity. Eventually the Arab states must take responsibility for their weakness.
This was a diplomatic coup for Israel but aded to the catastrophic situation in the occupied territories.
Karmi uses UN Resolutions, international law, and the International Declaration of Human Rights throughout the book as a basis for her argument and her greatest achievement in the end is to suggest various alternatives and solutions to the situation. She provides analysis of why each might fail and succeed, but she is the first author since Richard Crowley's 'Dispatches from the Middle East' that has succeeded in suggesting plausible answers. Both authors have produced the finest accounts of the conflict I have read, and both acknowledge that no Peace Treaty between the two sides can hope for LASTING success, unless it starts on the foundation of equality and most importantly justice.

A Solution for an Enduring Dilemma from a Renaissance Type Scholar and Activist

Nineteenth Century Europe witnessed the height of nationalism and colonialism. Almost every nation ventured out to conquer a piece of the world, believing that any land not inhabited by Europeans is figuratively empty. And why not the Jews? Central and East European Jews, of Turkic/Slavic stock, commonly known as Ashkenazim, and currently constituting 80% of world Jewry, established their first colony in Palestine in 1882. That same year, the British invaded and occupied Egypt, and the colonialist Cecil Rhodes established a colony in south eastern Africa naming it after himself (now Zimbabwe).
It is said that the leaders of the Zionist Movement dispatched two rabbis to report on the country of their colonialist ambition. The rabbis reported back: "The bride is beautiful, but alas, she is already married to another man", meaning that the country was well- populated. That did not deter the leaders who persisted with their project to create a colonial-settler state, to be named Israel, and in the process cleansing out most of its endogenous population. Thus the enduring dilemma of what is to be done with the Palestinians and resolve this conflict that continues to cause so much misery for the whole population of that area and threaten world peace. This is the meaning of the title of this book.
The relationship of an author to her book is akin to that of the mother to her daughter. Thus a brief introduction of the author is worthwhile. Ghada Karmi, the nine year old of a prominent scholar, was more fortunate than most of those who were driven out of Jerusalem. Her family landed in England in 1949. If every cloud has its silver lining, the catastrophe that befell the Palestinians had its positive effects. Losing their land and homes, they turned to education as their means of survival and source of pride.
Ghada seems to have internalized this culture par excellence. She first qualified in and practiced medicine, and followed this with a doctorate in History of Medicine, and continues to teach, research and consult on these subjects. At the same time, she has been continuously involved in politics as a scholar and activist. I know of a man who would be proud of Dr. Karmi. He is Rudolph Virchow, the great German physician and scientist, and a leader of the 1848 revolution in Germany and Europe. When asked how he justified taking time from his medical pathology research to be active in politics replied: " Politics is medicine on a large scale".
This book is the latest of several books in and scores of articles written by this author. One of these books is an autobiography entitled "In Search for Fatima". Consider this fact: this memoir is rated as 9 on the Flesh-Kincaid Readability Index, meaning that it can be understood by a reader with 9 years education. In contrast "Married to Another Man" is rated 16. Few authors can be so versatile.
Eloquent, assertive and attractive, Dr. Karmi gained access to high political circles. This book benefits from her first-hand experience. It is also a scholarly and well- documented treatise. Even the most informed will find new material in it. The book is divided into seven chapters, an introduction, and an epilogue. Each chapter can be read on its own, but all serve as a useful background to understand the dilemma and the logic of the proposed solution. Two of the chapters are on the cost of Israel to the Arabs and the Palestinians.
Two others delve into the reasons the Jews and the West established and continue to sustain Israel. A chapter is titled " The Peace Process", and another discusses the various solutions that have been proposed, including the two-state proposal. The book culminates with a chapter arguing that the only logical solution is one democratic state for all those who live on the land of historic Palestine and Palestinian refugees.
To those who are pessimistic about finding a satisfactory solution to this enduring conflict, the author answers that this pessimism is unwarranted if one thought through the logic of the situation. To those with quick accusations of utopianism, anti-Semitism , or even treachery, she counters that such judgments are a lazy way out of having to think about ideas that conflict with what has become familiar, conventional and also serves vested interests. It is worthwhile taking the time to find out.

The role of the Virgin Mary in the Church is misunderstood by many. Bertrand Buby discusses Mariology is a straighforward and interesting manner. He deals with issues such as the brothers and sisters of Jesus, the image of Mary, The Woman as a symbol of the Church and the gospel references to Mary in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Buby writes is a refreshingly understandable manner.

This is a very fine look at the role of Mary in the New Testament. It is the first in a 3 volume series that covers Mary from the Bible through the early Patristic period. Certainly it is quite good for scholars who are looking for a solid introduction to Mariology. It follows the guidelines set out in Lumen Gentium chaper 8 and the encyclical Marialis Cultus. A very solid work in general although it depends rather heavily on Fr. Raymond Browns views of the New Testament.

Any writer who grows up in Camden N.J. and still manages to climb up the ladder to Rockaway Beach is obviously excellent.Note: All Stuyvesant H.S. students should be sure to read Me and Brenda

On the surface, this is the story of a scam perpetrated against an Atlantic City hotel. It's a neat scam, and fun to read about, and in the end you realize that it's about more than what appears on the surface.

Compiled, organized and edited by Rachel Elior (Professor of Jewish Philosophy and Mysticism, Depart. of Jewish Thought, Hebrew University of Jerusalem), and published in cooperation with the Van Leer Jerusalem Institute, Men And Women: Gender, Judaism And Democracy is an impressive and diverse collection of essays and articles contributed by eleven scholars and writers on the socio-legal status of women in Israel; the religious and cultural context of women's rights in Israel; and women's equality within the context of the religious codes and civil laws of Israel. A seminal contribution to Women's Studies, Judaic Studies, and Contemporary Israeli Social Issues Studies, Men And Women is especially recommended reading for students of the legal, social, and cultural issues under debate in Israel, along with insightful commentary with respect to the religious and political heritage of the past.

In her introduction to this volume Rachel Elior points out something, I for one, despite years of learning in Jewish sources, had never thought of i.e. that there is not a single Halachic, or Jewish philosophical or musar work authored by a woman until the eighteenth century. Things certainly have changed since then in the world of Jewish learning, but in its most frum bastions it is still an exclusively male reserve.
This group of scholarly essays discusses various aspects of the woman's present role in Judaism. It will provide original and interesting perspectives even for those who may be reserved about some of its arguments and conclusions.

Hillel Seidman (the author) has experienced Jewish history as few others have. As a survivor of the Holocaust who was active in Polish politics before the war and Israeli after the war, he has a broad and encompassing perspective. As an added facet to his personality he was a religious leader as well. He has a story to tell.

His story is uniquely Jewish - and uniquely honest. He introduces us to former Prime Minister Menachem Begin from the perspective of a friend and follower. He isn't carefull about how he presents his story, he just lets it gush out as it comes to him. Many have written about Menachem Begin but none as compellingly honest as Dr. Hillel Seidman.

There are few Jews today who still share the "survivor" emotion and waultenschaung of Seidman and Begin - and that's a shame. The classical cliche about Jews is: "Two Jews? Three opinions!" Our infighting and devisiveness are legendary. Only one with a real "survivor" perspective is able to say, "Ahavat Yisrael above all".

I highly recommend this book. Meet Menachem Begin.

Seidman does a wonderful job recounting the life of Menachem Begin. He does so from first hand experience from his long standing friendship with Begin. He explodes the myth that Begin was merely a war-mongering radical, and explains what real Zionism meant to him. Explored is the genius that made Begin both poltically controversial and for most of his career unpopular: that is his ability to distinguish potential peace partners from intractible enemies. Begin is portrayed accurately as a true hero to the Jewish people.

A badly needed tribute to the original Likud leader, now sadly lost to history, infrequently remembered and rarely celebrated.

Although physically petite, Menachem Begin was a true giant among statesmen in general, and the Jewish people in particular. This book explains why.

I picked this book in the library. I began reading it that night and could not put it down. It's incredible reading and gives insight into the beginning of the Israel's secret agency. It is an honest look at the Mossad, inspiring awe to eyebrow raising blunders. There is a poignant account of Eli Cohen, one of Israel's most famous spies who almost became Minister of Defense in SYRIA! His story alone could be a Hollywood movie. Great book for almost or atleast 13 and over.

if you're interested in spies & inteligence agency's this is the book to read!

I was entranced by this book. I began reading it to relive my own experiences of growing up on the Natal South Coast in the 1960s. The author's descriptions took me right back: the beaches, the climate, the vegetation, the culture, and even the coastal train are all described with affectionate precision. Her reference to amathungulu berries as `martin-gulus' gave me a `shock of recognition' at a distance of forty years. Her accuracy and honesty make this a valuable first-hand witness to what it was like to grow up there, then.

This attention to language is reflected in the presentation of the text. Non-English words are italicized and expressions peculiar to South Africa are placed in bold. Both are explained in the glossary, with aids to pronunciation when necessary. The author is an accomplished artist, and her clear maps and diagrams, and original artwork and photographs (some by other family members) enhance the book throughout.

As a direct contemporary of the author, I recognised the authenticity of her accounts of other life experiences that are similar to mine, such as the process of coming to Christian faith as a young adult or the controlled pain of emigrating with a young family. Again, I found that her recollections rang true, capturing with simplicity some of the complexity of these experiences.

The author's personal narrative is helpfully located within a wider historical perspective. The shaded `bhansela' (bonus) boxes offer a shift of focus that places her story in 3-D. Chapter 7, `Suid Afrika,' differs from the others in offering an overview of South African history, from the arrival of the Dutch in 1652 to 2006. The use of the Afrikaans name for the country reveals that this is a re-telling of the former `official' Afrikaner view from the perspective of an English-speaker. It is an example of oral history, artfully incorporating within it the recognition that others will have their own `meta-narrative', and that these are all likely to differ from whatever the official version is at the time.

A beautiful book, then, that deserves a wide readership. Readers familiar with South Africa will find much to enjoy, celebrate and regret. Others, curious about what life was like for South Africans of British descent in the apartheid era, will find here an honest, enlightening and appreciative family story with implications for us all.

Writer's Digest 15th Annual International Self-Published Book Awards.

Judge's Commentary: I greatly enjoyed the artwork and the juxtaposition of the art with the stories and locations described within the text. The writing is excellent and all is purposeful. The author has truly lived a remarkable life. Unlike many life-story/memoir writers, this author seems to see beyond herself and is able to reflect on the community at large, namely, South Africa and the U.S. She is one of the most learned, brilliant people I have ever read/learned from. From cover to cover: most ingenious.


Jeanette Gilks: Artist/Educator

Here is a story that sweeps broad and deep. Shelley manages to engage with both the micro and macro visions of things: minute, intensely personal details are seamlessly woven into the larger web of world events. Everything and everyone that has touched Shelley has been remembered - no, resurrected - in meticulous and often humorous detail. You peep into her world as you peep through a jeweller's loupe, where even the smallest worlds are vast landscapes of great clarity, colour and depth. Her world, our world, is made precious. The wisdom in this anecdotal tale is dished out with spice and flavour. Entirely to my taste!


Andre van Niekerk: Sculptor

An exquisite read for another expat. I relived my life in South Africa through the prose on these pages. Shelley brought back the vibrancy, the smells and sounds, the joy and pain that is Africa. The unbiased historical background will give readers a deeper understanding of the 'White Tribe of Africa'. To quote the author; 'True art is a sacrificial offering, a precious gift tremulously given to fellow human beings. The gift can be accepted, appreciated, thirstily imbibed - like sweet water from the last oasis on a parched planet'. This reader drank gratefully from this gift and in his humble opinion, considers the author to be a true artist.

With all the stuff going on in the world at this time, global warming, hurricanes, inflation, middle east problems and bird flu, you can only wonder, "what on earth is going on?" The book addresses each of these and provides interesting answers from Bible prophesy- serious stuff!

Reviewed by William Phenn for Reader Views (6/06)

F. J. Colberg is a professional counselor and educator. Mr. Colberg is married, has three grown children, and lives in Puerto Rico. He has written "Multitudes at the Crossroads" as a result of his deep involvement with church ministry.

Nostradamus step aside, F.J. Colberg has arrived. Powerful and believable is the way to describe "Multitudes at the Crossroads". In these 221 pages, Mr. Colberg cautions us to look to the past for answers about the future. He begins with an explanation about Cycles and their affect on modern times. How history does and will repeat itself is one of his major points.

In "Multitudes at the Crossroads" Mr. Colberg explains the Elliot Wave and how it reflects social moods. In one chapter, he discusses the Roman Empire and how those people never dreamed of world domination. The original settlers just wanted a nice place to live and prosper. Then, as time went on, that's when the problems started.
Page by page, chapter by chapter, Mr. Colberg explains in very much historical detail how the past is coming back to haunt us. He talks about our Economy and The Politics of Oil, the race among the superpowers for the oil reserves, and in-depth coverage of what is going on in these nations, Mr. Colberg makes you aware of future implications of present day actions.

In Part II of "Multitudes at the Crossroads," Mr. Colberg brings it all together. He shows how the Biblical teachings and Prophesy coincide with what is happening in today's world such as Israel becoming a souvergn country and the exodus of the Jews. He also shows how we are ruining the planet by destroying all of Nature but how the Bible gives us hope. Hope in the form of a cleansing that will bring forth earthquakes, famines and pestilence in various places. Then he goes on to tell of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse. Deceit on the white horse, War on the red, Hunger on the black one and on the pale horse rode Death. After this, it is written, there will be a new heaven, a new earth, the new Jerusalem. In the concluding pages, Mr. Colberg drives his point home with these words: A category 10 hurricane is upon us, the wind blowing from all sides and the seas confused. Your only safe harbor is Jesus Christ. Find a church; discover a whole new life in and with your creator. Or prepare for the worst, eternity awaits us all.

"Multitudes at the Crossroads" was a very direct, no nonsense look at what the Bible says and what is happening around the world. Colberg hit the nail on the head with this compelling and scary write. Yes, scary even to a believer and good Christian.
From the start I could not put it down; "Multitudes at the Crossroads" has all the excitement of the Davinci Code and the Quatrains rolled into one. I give it my highest rating of A+.

Dr. Beblis's Myth of "Enuma Elish" is a welcome event in the world of Assyriology.
So many books have been written on the subject, that, one might think, everything has been said about it. Yet, this book brings something new, a new outlook and a new interpretation of the events described in the myth. I have always believed that I know all that is needed to know about "Enuma Elish", but, reading Dr. Beblis's book, showed me that this myth is more beautiful than I had perceived it, and that there was a direct relationship between the evolution of the social and political life of society, on the one hand, and its reflection into people's mind in the form of a myth. George Yana.

The Myth of Enuma Elish (Assyrian and Babylonian Myth): First story of Evolution is another masterpiece of its genre by Dr. Oshana Beblis. His deep knowledge of ancient history, mythology , religion and philosophy is combined with wisdom and analysis. When he poses the questions of "Who" rather than "How" or "I" and "Thou" and "man without power and will", he is telling us that mythology is a way of making sense of the world in which we live.

I first became aware of the conflicts between Israel and its neighbors during and after the Six-day War in 1967 (I was just short of fourteen years old). However, I had not heard of the PLO until 1972 in the slaughter of Israeli athletes in Germany. It was the first time I had heard of "Palestinians". When the Yom Kippur War came in 1973, I was living in Australia and followed the news in the papers and in Time and Newsweek (which I no longer find useful reading). Since then the press has continually turned against Israel and taken on the rhetoric, propaganda, and causes of its enemies, especially outside America.

Hundreds of books are written each year on the history of this conflict and many of them are tendentious. Some are honestly so because they are simply describing what their side believes and are open about their bias. Others are mendacious because the present falsehood as history and partisan causes as universal values.

This book is very useful because it tells of the entire history of the military engagements Israel has faced since the Arab Revolt of 1936-39, before the Arabs were suppressed during WWII. The authors admit that this is all told from the Israeli point of view, but insist that they are trying to be as factual as possible. It consists of 12 chapters with each being about twenty pages in length. Each chapter is by different authors (sometimes the article is by multiple authors) and each is fully illustrated with maps and there are endnotes for each chapter to aid further study.

There are a number of pages of black and white photographs in the middle of the book that provide useful orientation to what is being discussed in various chapters of the book.

I found the information quite useful and the discussions are useful antidote to the current assumption that Israel is the cruel aggressor in this conflict. Therefore, I recommend this to you as part of an education of the history of the current conflict and for the background it provides that will almost certainly change your perceptions of the current discussion in the popular culture and media.

But this is a MILITARY history, not so much a political one (although some is unavoidable).

I read this book in two days. It was great!If you want to know how Israel has survived until today,this is your book!