The Story of Israel (Universal Gravitation Series)

For a long time, Israel has been seen as a nation born and sustained by war, and as a major cause of the turmoil in the Middle East. But during its difficult path to statehood and development, was Israel really a crude "warmonger"?

This illustrated edition of the classic history Israel: A History by world-renowned historian Sir Martin Gilbert includes more than 150 rare historical photographs, 12 historical documents, and 14 maps. It provides a comprehensive record of Israel's long history and the lives of its people, lifting the fog of war that surrounds the country and reframing the story of Israel's peaceful founding.

Against the backdrop of conflict in the Middle East, this book tells the story of how Israelis have striven for peace, built their country, and pursued development. Building on this classic work, the edition adds a wealth of rare photographs and historical documents that capture important moments since Israel's founding, making it an essential guide to Israel's history and the turmoil of the Middle East.

Setting aside preconceptions, this book recounts the hopeful origins of Israel and its achievements in building a nation, tracing its evolution. In 1897, Theodor Herzl launched the Zionist movement and called for the establishment of a Jewish state in Palestine. Fifty years later, in 1948, the State of Israel was born, giving Jews around the world a homeland of their own.

After independence, Israel brought together three-quarters of the Jews living in Arab lands. Five wars tested the Israelis' ability to survive. Despite wars, terrorist attacks, and two large-scale Palestinian uprisings, Israel continued to seek peace through both secret and public negotiations, striving to achieve reconciliation.

These persistent efforts continue to this day.