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A History of Israel: From the Rise of Zionism to Our Time
First published in 1976, Howard M. Sachar’s A History of Israel: From the Rise of Zionism to Our Time was regarded one of the most valuable works available detailing the history of this still relatively young country. More than 30 years later, readers can again be immersed in this monumental work. The second edition of this volume covers topics such as the first of the Aliyahs in the 1880s; the rise of Jewish nationalism; the beginning of the political Zionist movement and, later, how the movement changed after Theodor Herzl; the Balfour Declaration; the factors that led to the Arab-Jewish confrontation; Palestine and its role both during the Second World War and after; the war of independence and the many wars that followed it over the next few decades; and the development of the Israeli republic and the many challenges it faced, both domestic and foreign, and still faces today.
This is a truly enriching and exhaustive history of a nation that holds claim to one of the most complicated and controversial histories in the world.
This is a truly enriching and exhaustive history of a nation that holds claim to one of the most complicated and controversial histories in the world.
1184 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1976
135 people are currently reading
1145 people want to read
About the author
Howard M. Sachar
26 books8 followersHoward Morley Sachar was an American historian. He was Professor Emeritus of History and International Affairs at the George Washington University in Washington, D.C. and the author of 16 books, as well as numerous articles in scholarly journals, on the subjects of Middle Eastern and Modern European history.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
January 8, 2023
It is very difficult to accurately and comprehensively analyse this work.
The fact is that Sachar go's out of his way to be even-handed, which leads to a dilemma in itself.
The truth is that one cannot be objective in a conflict where it is clear to any fair-minded and honest observer who the agressors are and always have been: The Jews peacefully returned to their ancient land, and for nearly a century the Arabs have been trying to drive them into the sea.
There are times when I am uncomfortable with the author's particularly unfair treatment of the Jewish freedom fighters- the Irgun and Lechi- whom he labels as 'terrorists'.
At the same time, he honestly appraises the history of the situation as he see's it, and does not like the malevolent 'new historians' and revisionists, like Chomsky, Finkelstein, Said, Lenni Brenner and Israel Shahak, go back and rewrite history to suit their own destructive and malicious agenda against Israel.
This is an honest appraisal, in which the author strives to be fair.
Though his commentary is not always to my liking, he sticks to the facts, except in cases like the so-called massacre of Deir Yassin, where he has accepted the 'official' version' of events, despite clear evidence that there had been no deliberate killing of Arab civillians by the Jews.
The author begins by outlining the beginnings of the Zionist movement, the work of pioneers such as Moshe Hess, Leo Pinsker, Moses Montefiore, Achad Ha'am, Theodore Herzl, Chaim Weizmann and Vladimir Jabotinsky. He describes their strugles to adapt to harsh terrain, in the land which had flourished two thousand years before, when their ancestors lived there.
He describes how sucessive waves of Jews returning to the Land of Israel, struggled to adapt, often, to the homeland that was being restored.
He writes of the purchase by the Jews from Arab absentee landlords. The book describes the revival of the Hebrew language, thanks to the efforts of Eliezer Ben Yehuda, and of the the long tradition of discrimination and dhimmni status of the Jews, in the Holy Land, and Arab countries under Islamic domination.
We learn of the origins of Communist hostility to Zionism and the Israeli people, of the originally warm attitude to Zionism by forward thinking Arab leaders such as King Feisal of Syria, and the bloody pogroms by Arabs on Jewish communities in the Land of Israel in 1920, 1921, 1929 and 1936-1939.
The truth is that a very large part of the Arab hostility to Zionism, and the returning Jews originated in the fear among the Arab aristocracy in the Holy Land, and elsewhere in neighbouring lands, that the egalitarian spirit of the Jews, the democracy and emphasis, on social justice and democracy would influence the Arab masses, and therefore threaten the powerbases of the Arab elites.
We read of Hitler's ally and Jew-hater Mufti Haj Amin el Husseini, one of the original founders of Islamic jihad against the Jewish people, and his impassioned preaching of venom and genocide against the Jews.
Much of the Arab hostility and agression towards the Jews of the then named 'Palestine' was encouraged by intense propaganda directed at the Arabs by Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy, this at a time when hundreds of thousands of Jewish refugees where fleeing from Nazi Germany to the Holy Land.
The book also highlights the Balfour Declaration and how the British later reneged, under Arab pressure, on the promises to the Jewish people of restoration to their ancient land.
Many of the British actively assited the Arabs against the Jews, and the British blocked the netry of hundreds of thousands of Jews, attempting to enter 'Palestine' as an escape from Hitler's infernos.
The book discusses the persecution of Jews in Iraq, Syria, Libya, Algeria, Tunisia, Yemen and Egypt, and their mass expulsion from these countries after they fled from the Arab states, with nothing more than the clothes on their backs from the countries they had lived in for centuries.
The book describes the miraculous survival of the Jews of Israel, during the Second World War, and their victories against overwhelming odds in the War of Independence, the Six Day War and the Yom Kippur War.
The book describes how before the Six Day War, the Arabs had surrounded Israel ,and openly issued hideous threats of genocide against all the Jews of Israel, forcing Israel to fire the first shots in order to survive(after Nasser had closed the Straights of Tiran) , and of the decades of infiltrations into Israel of marauding Arab terror bands killing Israeli men, women and children, including the massacres of Jewish children at Kiryat Shmona and Ma'alot, by the terrorists of the 'Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine'. And we also read of the cowardly attack by Arab states on Israel, that started the Yom Kippur War, and the unpreparedness of Israel's leadership that was scared to strike first for fear of upsetting world opinion.
This was a tragic mistake that imperilled the Israeli nation, and led to many unnecesary deaths of Israelis.
The book also describes the other triumphs of Israel: the absorbtion of millions of Jews, the struggles of the Oriental Jews (Jews from North Africa and the Middle East)for equality, the admirable building up of Israel's welfare state, and the capture and trial of Adolf Eichmann in the early 1960's.
He also reflect on the conflicts within Israeli society and, contrary to the allegations by an earlier reviewer, focuses much on the issues of Israeli Arabs.
The trial of Eichmann brought home the horrors of the holocaust, and the lessons derived by the holocaust, by emphasizing the dangers inherent towards a Jewish minority living among a non-Jewish majority, and the need for an ingathering of Jews from all parts of the world in a homeland of their own.
During a break in the court sessions of Israel's thirteenth Independence day, David Ben-Gurion referred to the Eichmnn trial in a speech:
"Here for the first time in Jewish history, historical justice is being done by the sovereign Jewish people. For many generations it was we who suffered, who were tortured, who were killed-and were judged...for the first time, Israel is judging the killers of the Jewish people...and let us bear in mind that only the independence of Israel could create the necesary conditions for the historic act of justice".
Never again can catastrophy allowed to overtake the Jewish people, and the Jewish people subjected to genocide, especially not in their own homeland.
In a hostile world, much of which wants Israel destroyed, Israel must and will survive...with the help of the Allmighty
The fact is that Sachar go's out of his way to be even-handed, which leads to a dilemma in itself.
The truth is that one cannot be objective in a conflict where it is clear to any fair-minded and honest observer who the agressors are and always have been: The Jews peacefully returned to their ancient land, and for nearly a century the Arabs have been trying to drive them into the sea.
There are times when I am uncomfortable with the author's particularly unfair treatment of the Jewish freedom fighters- the Irgun and Lechi- whom he labels as 'terrorists'.
At the same time, he honestly appraises the history of the situation as he see's it, and does not like the malevolent 'new historians' and revisionists, like Chomsky, Finkelstein, Said, Lenni Brenner and Israel Shahak, go back and rewrite history to suit their own destructive and malicious agenda against Israel.
This is an honest appraisal, in which the author strives to be fair.
Though his commentary is not always to my liking, he sticks to the facts, except in cases like the so-called massacre of Deir Yassin, where he has accepted the 'official' version' of events, despite clear evidence that there had been no deliberate killing of Arab civillians by the Jews.
The author begins by outlining the beginnings of the Zionist movement, the work of pioneers such as Moshe Hess, Leo Pinsker, Moses Montefiore, Achad Ha'am, Theodore Herzl, Chaim Weizmann and Vladimir Jabotinsky. He describes their strugles to adapt to harsh terrain, in the land which had flourished two thousand years before, when their ancestors lived there.
He describes how sucessive waves of Jews returning to the Land of Israel, struggled to adapt, often, to the homeland that was being restored.
He writes of the purchase by the Jews from Arab absentee landlords. The book describes the revival of the Hebrew language, thanks to the efforts of Eliezer Ben Yehuda, and of the the long tradition of discrimination and dhimmni status of the Jews, in the Holy Land, and Arab countries under Islamic domination.
We learn of the origins of Communist hostility to Zionism and the Israeli people, of the originally warm attitude to Zionism by forward thinking Arab leaders such as King Feisal of Syria, and the bloody pogroms by Arabs on Jewish communities in the Land of Israel in 1920, 1921, 1929 and 1936-1939.
The truth is that a very large part of the Arab hostility to Zionism, and the returning Jews originated in the fear among the Arab aristocracy in the Holy Land, and elsewhere in neighbouring lands, that the egalitarian spirit of the Jews, the democracy and emphasis, on social justice and democracy would influence the Arab masses, and therefore threaten the powerbases of the Arab elites.
We read of Hitler's ally and Jew-hater Mufti Haj Amin el Husseini, one of the original founders of Islamic jihad against the Jewish people, and his impassioned preaching of venom and genocide against the Jews.
Much of the Arab hostility and agression towards the Jews of the then named 'Palestine' was encouraged by intense propaganda directed at the Arabs by Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy, this at a time when hundreds of thousands of Jewish refugees where fleeing from Nazi Germany to the Holy Land.
The book also highlights the Balfour Declaration and how the British later reneged, under Arab pressure, on the promises to the Jewish people of restoration to their ancient land.
Many of the British actively assited the Arabs against the Jews, and the British blocked the netry of hundreds of thousands of Jews, attempting to enter 'Palestine' as an escape from Hitler's infernos.
The book discusses the persecution of Jews in Iraq, Syria, Libya, Algeria, Tunisia, Yemen and Egypt, and their mass expulsion from these countries after they fled from the Arab states, with nothing more than the clothes on their backs from the countries they had lived in for centuries.
The book describes the miraculous survival of the Jews of Israel, during the Second World War, and their victories against overwhelming odds in the War of Independence, the Six Day War and the Yom Kippur War.
The book describes how before the Six Day War, the Arabs had surrounded Israel ,and openly issued hideous threats of genocide against all the Jews of Israel, forcing Israel to fire the first shots in order to survive(after Nasser had closed the Straights of Tiran) , and of the decades of infiltrations into Israel of marauding Arab terror bands killing Israeli men, women and children, including the massacres of Jewish children at Kiryat Shmona and Ma'alot, by the terrorists of the 'Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine'. And we also read of the cowardly attack by Arab states on Israel, that started the Yom Kippur War, and the unpreparedness of Israel's leadership that was scared to strike first for fear of upsetting world opinion.
This was a tragic mistake that imperilled the Israeli nation, and led to many unnecesary deaths of Israelis.
The book also describes the other triumphs of Israel: the absorbtion of millions of Jews, the struggles of the Oriental Jews (Jews from North Africa and the Middle East)for equality, the admirable building up of Israel's welfare state, and the capture and trial of Adolf Eichmann in the early 1960's.
He also reflect on the conflicts within Israeli society and, contrary to the allegations by an earlier reviewer, focuses much on the issues of Israeli Arabs.
The trial of Eichmann brought home the horrors of the holocaust, and the lessons derived by the holocaust, by emphasizing the dangers inherent towards a Jewish minority living among a non-Jewish majority, and the need for an ingathering of Jews from all parts of the world in a homeland of their own.
During a break in the court sessions of Israel's thirteenth Independence day, David Ben-Gurion referred to the Eichmnn trial in a speech:
"Here for the first time in Jewish history, historical justice is being done by the sovereign Jewish people. For many generations it was we who suffered, who were tortured, who were killed-and were judged...for the first time, Israel is judging the killers of the Jewish people...and let us bear in mind that only the independence of Israel could create the necesary conditions for the historic act of justice".
Never again can catastrophy allowed to overtake the Jewish people, and the Jewish people subjected to genocide, especially not in their own homeland.
In a hostile world, much of which wants Israel destroyed, Israel must and will survive...with the help of the Allmighty
March 6, 2025
Howard M. Sachar’s A History of Israel: From the Rise of Zionism to Our Time is a sweeping chronicle that captures the audacity and resilience of a nation born from both idealism and necessity. Sachar, a historian of immense erudition, draws from a multilingual array of sources—Hebrew, Arabic, French, German, Russian, Yiddish, Spanish, and English—to construct a detailed account of Israel’s evolution.
His work is not merely a recounting of events but a deeply contextualized analysis that situates Israel’s story within the broader currents of global history. The book’s significance lies in its ability to balance scholarly rigor with an accessible style, making it a vital resource for understanding the Jewish state’s origins, struggles, and triumphs. Sachar’s approach avoids simplistic binaries, presenting a nuanced portrait of a nation shaped by both external pressures and internal debates.
The book meticulously documents defining moments in Israel’s history, each illustrating the nation’s capacity to overcome adversity. The First Aliyah of 1882 marks the beginning of Jewish agricultural settlement in Eretz Israel, a movement driven by both idealism and pragmatism. The Balfour Declaration of 1917, with its promise of a Jewish national home, is portrayed as a diplomatic milestone that galvanized Zionist aspirations. The 1948 War of Independence, a David-and-Goliath struggle, saw a nascent state defend itself against overwhelming odds. Sachar recounts the 1967 Six-Day War, a conflict that redefined regional geopolitics and demonstrated Israel’s military ingenuity. The Entebbe raid of 1976 is highlighted as a daring operation that combined tactical brilliance with moral clarity.
This new(er) edition also examines the Oslo Accords of 1993, a fraught attempt at peace that revealed the complexities of Israeli-Arab relations. Israel’s technological and scientific advancements, particularly in fields like water conservation and cybersecurity, are celebrated as contributions that have global implications. Each event is rendered with a clarity that emphasizes its historical weight and human dimension.
Zionism, as Sachar argues, remains a vital force in contemporary geopolitics, offering Jews a means of self-determination in a world where antisemitism persists. The book does not shy away from addressing Arab aggression, detailing conflicts like the 1973 Yom Kippur War and the intifadas that have challenged Israel’s existence. Yet it also highlights Israel’s remarkable achievements, from pioneering drip irrigation to developing life-saving medical technologies.
Figures like Theodor Herzl, whose visionary leadership laid the groundwork for the Jewish state, and David Ben-Gurion, whose determination steered Israel through its formative years, are presented as architects of modern Jewish sovereignty. Sachar’s portrayal of leaders like Golda Meir and Menachem Begin reveals their complexities, blending political acumen with personal vulnerabilities.
For Jews worldwide, Israel represents not just a nation but the culmination of a millennia-old dream of return and renewal. Sachar’s work leaves readers with a profound appreciation for Israel’s resilience and an anticipation of what the future holds for this extraordinary nation. The story, as he suggests, is far from over.
His work is not merely a recounting of events but a deeply contextualized analysis that situates Israel’s story within the broader currents of global history. The book’s significance lies in its ability to balance scholarly rigor with an accessible style, making it a vital resource for understanding the Jewish state’s origins, struggles, and triumphs. Sachar’s approach avoids simplistic binaries, presenting a nuanced portrait of a nation shaped by both external pressures and internal debates.
The book meticulously documents defining moments in Israel’s history, each illustrating the nation’s capacity to overcome adversity. The First Aliyah of 1882 marks the beginning of Jewish agricultural settlement in Eretz Israel, a movement driven by both idealism and pragmatism. The Balfour Declaration of 1917, with its promise of a Jewish national home, is portrayed as a diplomatic milestone that galvanized Zionist aspirations. The 1948 War of Independence, a David-and-Goliath struggle, saw a nascent state defend itself against overwhelming odds. Sachar recounts the 1967 Six-Day War, a conflict that redefined regional geopolitics and demonstrated Israel’s military ingenuity. The Entebbe raid of 1976 is highlighted as a daring operation that combined tactical brilliance with moral clarity.
This new(er) edition also examines the Oslo Accords of 1993, a fraught attempt at peace that revealed the complexities of Israeli-Arab relations. Israel’s technological and scientific advancements, particularly in fields like water conservation and cybersecurity, are celebrated as contributions that have global implications. Each event is rendered with a clarity that emphasizes its historical weight and human dimension.
Zionism, as Sachar argues, remains a vital force in contemporary geopolitics, offering Jews a means of self-determination in a world where antisemitism persists. The book does not shy away from addressing Arab aggression, detailing conflicts like the 1973 Yom Kippur War and the intifadas that have challenged Israel’s existence. Yet it also highlights Israel’s remarkable achievements, from pioneering drip irrigation to developing life-saving medical technologies.
Figures like Theodor Herzl, whose visionary leadership laid the groundwork for the Jewish state, and David Ben-Gurion, whose determination steered Israel through its formative years, are presented as architects of modern Jewish sovereignty. Sachar’s portrayal of leaders like Golda Meir and Menachem Begin reveals their complexities, blending political acumen with personal vulnerabilities.
For Jews worldwide, Israel represents not just a nation but the culmination of a millennia-old dream of return and renewal. Sachar’s work leaves readers with a profound appreciation for Israel’s resilience and an anticipation of what the future holds for this extraordinary nation. The story, as he suggests, is far from over.
April 17, 2008
Reading this book is like asking someone for some water, and then having your house flooded. I tried to stick with this book, but it's so verbose and minutely detailed, that in the end one is unable to pull out, or care about, the important details. While I am confident that this is the definitive source on the subject, the text is barely readable. It's worthwhile as a reference book, little more.
September 28, 2008
Essential for anyone trying to form intelligent opinions about the Middle East, Israel, and our world today.
May 16, 2023
A History of Israel: From the Rise of Zionism to Our Time is an ambitious and comprehensive account of one of the most complex and controversial nations in the world. At a staggering 1180 pages, it is undeniably a lengthy read, and it requires a significant commitment from the reader. While the sheer volume of information may be daunting to some, the author's ability to maintain a clear and engaging narrative throughout is truly commendable.
The book delves into the origins of Zionism and meticulously traces the tumultuous journey of Israel from its establishment to the present day. The author's extensive research is evident, and the depth of analysis provides invaluable insights into the historical, political, and cultural factors that have shaped the nation.
Despite its length, the book is surprisingly readable. The author's writing style is accessible and engaging, making even the most complex historical events comprehensible to the average reader. The narrative flows smoothly, keeping the reader captivated from start to finish.
That being said, the length of the book does become a point of contention. It could have benefited from some judicious editing to condense certain sections without sacrificing the overall depth of the content. While the level of detail is commendable, at times it feels overwhelming, potentially deterring readers who seek a more concise overview.
In conclusion, A History of Israel: From the Rise of Zionism to Our Time is an exhaustive and well-written account of Israel's history. Its readability is a notable strength, but the sheer length might be off-putting to some readers. Nonetheless, for those willing to embark on a comprehensive exploration, this book is a valuable resource that sheds light on the intricate tapestry of Israel's past.
The book delves into the origins of Zionism and meticulously traces the tumultuous journey of Israel from its establishment to the present day. The author's extensive research is evident, and the depth of analysis provides invaluable insights into the historical, political, and cultural factors that have shaped the nation.
Despite its length, the book is surprisingly readable. The author's writing style is accessible and engaging, making even the most complex historical events comprehensible to the average reader. The narrative flows smoothly, keeping the reader captivated from start to finish.
That being said, the length of the book does become a point of contention. It could have benefited from some judicious editing to condense certain sections without sacrificing the overall depth of the content. While the level of detail is commendable, at times it feels overwhelming, potentially deterring readers who seek a more concise overview.
In conclusion, A History of Israel: From the Rise of Zionism to Our Time is an exhaustive and well-written account of Israel's history. Its readability is a notable strength, but the sheer length might be off-putting to some readers. Nonetheless, for those willing to embark on a comprehensive exploration, this book is a valuable resource that sheds light on the intricate tapestry of Israel's past.
January 27, 2022
Τεράστιων διαστάσεων, αλλά πραγματικά κατατοπιστικό, για όσους ενδιαφερόμενους. Δυστυχώς, αμετάφραστο.
November 15, 2007
Not the easiest of reads, but a very thorough, clear, and fair treatment of the history of Israel.
August 30, 2014
I am giving this book four stars because I do not know the subject well enough to be sure that the author's judgements are sound in all areas. I would not be surprised if in fact this book merited an additional star because it is indeed very impressive.
The strength of this book is its one weakness, it is extremely detailed and thus very long. For many readers who are only marginally interested in the topic, Sachar's work may in fact be too long. However, it is very rewarding for perseverant reader. The book is extremely well researched with consistently fair-handed analysis.
While he stops short of saying that it is God's will that Israel exist and prosper, Sachar clearly loves the Jewish Homeland. This gives him the courage to criticize Israel's leaders whenever he believes they merit it, which in fact proves to be quite often.
Sachar's views are largely consistent with those of most North American liberals. Israel's founders simply did not anticipate that their presence would be resented by their arab neighbours. By the time they discovered the truth, the problem was too big to be easily solved. Whenever the Israelis have tried to make amends, they have been kicked in the teeth. Sachar also has strong criticism of Menachem Begin, Ariel Sharon and other recent political leaders in Israel. He suspects they are only too happy when their proffered hand is met with violence because it permits them to respond with aggression and seize more land.
Keep in mind however that the strength of Sachar's book is not the large thesis but the wealth of detail. You will learn a great deal about Israel from this book and will be glad you read it even if you disagree violently with Sachar's conclusions.
Sachar is very comprehensive. He covers the development of Israeli industry, their commercial relations with Europe, the nation's early problems with an unprofessional civil service. the issue of chronic political corruption and the incredible difficulties in creating a governing coalition in the Knesset. He explains how each wave of immigration brought with it different cultural values and fresh challenges for the political classes. Sachar loves the recent Russian immigrants who brought with them entrepreneurial skills and an intense dislike of the Orthodox rabbis both of which Sachar felt were desperately needed by Israel.
Sachar is not an historian of the Christian, Muslim and Druze arabs. Consequently he refrains from any analysis of the Palestinians other than to note that they live in conditions of physical depravation and humiliation which has contributed to the periodic outbursts of violence against the Israeli occupation.
The weakest parts of this book are those covering the nineteenth century. Here Sachar exhaustively analyzes the various currents of Western European Zionist thought (Herzl et al.) while showing scarcely any interest in the early settlements. Having recently read Simon Schama's Two Rothschild's and the Land of Israel which provides a very good history of the founding of the agricultural colonies, I believe they deserved more emphasis that they received in Sachar's book.
In his rather less satisfactory survey history of Israel that I read three or four years ago Martin Gilbert describes Howard Sachar as being the leading historian Israel. I am now grateful to Martin Gilbert for having nudged me in the direction of his wonderful book by Sachar.
The strength of this book is its one weakness, it is extremely detailed and thus very long. For many readers who are only marginally interested in the topic, Sachar's work may in fact be too long. However, it is very rewarding for perseverant reader. The book is extremely well researched with consistently fair-handed analysis.
While he stops short of saying that it is God's will that Israel exist and prosper, Sachar clearly loves the Jewish Homeland. This gives him the courage to criticize Israel's leaders whenever he believes they merit it, which in fact proves to be quite often.
Sachar's views are largely consistent with those of most North American liberals. Israel's founders simply did not anticipate that their presence would be resented by their arab neighbours. By the time they discovered the truth, the problem was too big to be easily solved. Whenever the Israelis have tried to make amends, they have been kicked in the teeth. Sachar also has strong criticism of Menachem Begin, Ariel Sharon and other recent political leaders in Israel. He suspects they are only too happy when their proffered hand is met with violence because it permits them to respond with aggression and seize more land.
Keep in mind however that the strength of Sachar's book is not the large thesis but the wealth of detail. You will learn a great deal about Israel from this book and will be glad you read it even if you disagree violently with Sachar's conclusions.
Sachar is very comprehensive. He covers the development of Israeli industry, their commercial relations with Europe, the nation's early problems with an unprofessional civil service. the issue of chronic political corruption and the incredible difficulties in creating a governing coalition in the Knesset. He explains how each wave of immigration brought with it different cultural values and fresh challenges for the political classes. Sachar loves the recent Russian immigrants who brought with them entrepreneurial skills and an intense dislike of the Orthodox rabbis both of which Sachar felt were desperately needed by Israel.
Sachar is not an historian of the Christian, Muslim and Druze arabs. Consequently he refrains from any analysis of the Palestinians other than to note that they live in conditions of physical depravation and humiliation which has contributed to the periodic outbursts of violence against the Israeli occupation.
The weakest parts of this book are those covering the nineteenth century. Here Sachar exhaustively analyzes the various currents of Western European Zionist thought (Herzl et al.) while showing scarcely any interest in the early settlements. Having recently read Simon Schama's Two Rothschild's and the Land of Israel which provides a very good history of the founding of the agricultural colonies, I believe they deserved more emphasis that they received in Sachar's book.
In his rather less satisfactory survey history of Israel that I read three or four years ago Martin Gilbert describes Howard Sachar as being the leading historian Israel. I am now grateful to Martin Gilbert for having nudged me in the direction of his wonderful book by Sachar.
September 19, 2019
A thorough history of Israel over the course of the twentieth century that covers major historical events as well as the country's political system and cultural achievements. For the most part, the included maps are helpful, though I would have liked to see a few more detailing the changing borders during the early Zionist movement and the Oslo Accords. Sachar also repeatedly refers to Arabs as "backward," which could use some explanation, since it's not clear if this description is meant to be derogatory. Those minor concerns aside, this is a great book for anyone seeking to understand the recent history of the Middle East and get a better grasp on the current Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
February 3, 2010
Incredibly comprehensive. At 1100 pages, it was quite a commitment.
August 26, 2013
You really need to be concentrated to read this +1K pages book. Get your papers and pencils ready for notes. You also will need to know a bit of the Zionism history before starting this book.
December 22, 2025
In 2001, I got my hands on this book. This is one of the most comprehensive single-volume accounts of Israeli history, spanning from ancient Jewish roots to the modern state.
First published in the late 20th century and updated over time, the book reflects a traditional Zionist historiographical framework, while maintaining academic depth.
Sachar situates modern Israel within the long arc of Jewish history, emphasising continuity, survival, and national revival. The early chapters stress the impact of European antisemitism, the Holocaust, and Zionist political organisation.
The founding of Israel in 1948 is presented primarily as a moment of historical necessity and moral urgency.
The book excels in its coverage of Israeli political institutions, internal debates, economic development, and social transformations. Sachar gives detailed attention to party politics, immigration waves, religious–secular tensions, and Israel’s relationship with the diaspora.
However, Palestinian history appears largely as a parallel narrative, often framed through conflict rather than autonomous development. While Sachar acknowledges Palestinian displacement and suffering, these themes do not occupy the same central space as Jewish national experience.
This imbalance has been a point of critique, particularly in light of newer historiography.
Sachar’s prose is formal and encyclopedic, making the book ideal as a reference work but less engaging for casual readers. Its strength lies in synthesis rather than reinterpretation. Compared to later “New Historians,” Sachar remains cautious in revising foundational Israeli narratives.
A History of Israel remains valuable for understanding how Israel has historically understood itself. Read alongside Palestinian-centered works, it provides an essential counterpoint, illustrating how national histories diverge not only in facts but also in moral emphasis and narrative priority.
Recommended.
First published in the late 20th century and updated over time, the book reflects a traditional Zionist historiographical framework, while maintaining academic depth.
Sachar situates modern Israel within the long arc of Jewish history, emphasising continuity, survival, and national revival. The early chapters stress the impact of European antisemitism, the Holocaust, and Zionist political organisation.
The founding of Israel in 1948 is presented primarily as a moment of historical necessity and moral urgency.
The book excels in its coverage of Israeli political institutions, internal debates, economic development, and social transformations. Sachar gives detailed attention to party politics, immigration waves, religious–secular tensions, and Israel’s relationship with the diaspora.
However, Palestinian history appears largely as a parallel narrative, often framed through conflict rather than autonomous development. While Sachar acknowledges Palestinian displacement and suffering, these themes do not occupy the same central space as Jewish national experience.
This imbalance has been a point of critique, particularly in light of newer historiography.
Sachar’s prose is formal and encyclopedic, making the book ideal as a reference work but less engaging for casual readers. Its strength lies in synthesis rather than reinterpretation. Compared to later “New Historians,” Sachar remains cautious in revising foundational Israeli narratives.
A History of Israel remains valuable for understanding how Israel has historically understood itself. Read alongside Palestinian-centered works, it provides an essential counterpoint, illustrating how national histories diverge not only in facts but also in moral emphasis and narrative priority.
Recommended.
April 28, 2020
A huge book that is quite magnificent in terms of both its breadth and level of detail. It has some amazing early chapters on the birth of Zionism that goes much deeper than the usual list of pioneers, and then later chapters that cover both the domestic and international challenges that the Israeli state faced in the second half of the twentieth century. The book is fairly balanced in terms of its presentation, though it is written obviously from a point of view sympathetic with Israel but attune to some of the left-leaning criticisms of Israeli state practice. From the point of view of today's reader, the biggest problem is ending in 1995. Despite the last paragraph being dedicated to Rabin's assassination, clearly the story ends on an optimistic note and seems to suggest that peace is only a matter of time. That optimism has been blown up by events since the end of the 1990s--the breakdown of the Oslo process, the second Intifada, the wave of terrorism of the early 2000s, and the replacement of the PLO by Hamas as the most important Palestinian leaders.
September 19, 2021
Having read quite a number of books on Zionism and the History of Israel, I found this one to be well worth reading, The author goes into a wide variety of topics including internal Israeli politics and finances that shaped some of the decisions made. It also gives the reader a basic understanding of the complexities of the government and the different segments of Israeli society.
Sadly, the book only goes up to the Yom Kippur War. Reading the author's perspective, especially as Israel emerges as a major technological powerhouse would be very welcome. In addition, his perspective on the current day politics would also be an interesting read.
The one aspect of the book I did not appreciate was he from time to time sprinkled in judgements and value statements in a way it was hard to distinguish fact from analysis to opinion. In such a work, heavily researched, and meticulously mapped out, I would have preferred a clear indication of what was fact and what was opinion or intepretation.
Sadly, the book only goes up to the Yom Kippur War. Reading the author's perspective, especially as Israel emerges as a major technological powerhouse would be very welcome. In addition, his perspective on the current day politics would also be an interesting read.
The one aspect of the book I did not appreciate was he from time to time sprinkled in judgements and value statements in a way it was hard to distinguish fact from analysis to opinion. In such a work, heavily researched, and meticulously mapped out, I would have preferred a clear indication of what was fact and what was opinion or intepretation.
December 13, 2024
Excellent history, quite an achievement. I wish Sachar were alive today to give us the last 18 years. Parts were too detailed for sure, but 75% of the book was a page-turner. All the politics and foreign policy and wars and diplomacy were excellent, just a little too detailed about culture / economic statistics at times, and in the beginning, you get lost in all the various Zionist organizations. The writing is crisp and good. Feels fairly objective although there's probably a bit of an Israel bias which is maybe understandable in a book about Israel.
September 1, 2023
Отличная научно-популярная историческая книга об истории государства Израиль от первых сионистских конгрессов в 19 в. до второй Ливанской войны в 2005 г.
Автор не лишён пристрастий, но в целом, как кажется, старается освещать события относительно объективно. Для первичного знакомства с новейшей историей страны - мастрид.
Написано в целом не занудно, читается довольно легко, несмотря на внушительный объём (в русском издании 3 тома страниц по 600 в каждом).
Автор не лишён пристрастий, но в целом, как кажется, старается освещать события относительно объективно. Для первичного знакомства с новейшей историей страны - мастрид.
Написано в целом не занудно, читается довольно легко, несмотря на внушительный объём (в русском издании 3 тома страниц по 600 в каждом).
June 3, 2017
The second edition of the book "A History of Israel" ends at Rabin's assassination (1995), but is otherwise one of the most comprehensive history books I have come across. I'm very pleased that I managed to finish it before going to visit Israel. For those who want a shorter read, I would suggest Daniel Gordis's "Israel: A Concise History of a Nation Reborn."
July 15, 2017
Left me with a much better idea of how the area ended up in its current state. A little too much detail within Israel and could have used a little more on international relationships (hard to understand why various countries were or were not selling Israel weapons at various times, for example). Chronology also a bit confusing, and really needs a language update in a few places.
May 26, 2023
important and comprehensive study of how modern day Israel came into existence, essential to understanding today's world
July 9, 2023
One of the great history books of our time. An eye opening account of the Jewish people.
August 14, 2023
Muito longo, mas muito bom
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July 10, 2020A gigantic account of the genesis of modern Zionism through the creation of Israel and ending in the 1990s. For the layman, it's a goldmine of information on the people and events that make up this turbulent locus of history. The author advances numerous theories as he moves forward (e.g., the push for statehood became inevitable because the great powers failed to address the problem of the DP camps), but I detect two overarching themes throughout. First, Zionism's leadership was capable and enlightened during the golden age of socialist ascendancy; with the rise of the right and its settlement project, Israel's government passed into lesser hands. Second, Israel is at its best as a secular, European-style republic, a status that's imperiled by the politicization and growth of the traditionally religious sector. In sum, Israeli democracy is essentially a fragile achievement that's vulnerable from within as well as from without. Such a standpoint jives well with the liberal Zionism of Diaspora Judaism, less so with the outlook of Sefardic-Mizrahi Jews in Israel itself.
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December 14, 2007I refuse to take the bits and pieces of information the news has to offer as my source of knowledge. What is the position of the Zionist people? What adversities have they suffered through and no matter what, does a religious group have the right to occupy land to establish their own country. This book won't answer all my questions but it will give me some of the foundation I need to help me find my own answers.
August 28, 2008
A very comprehensive history of the Zionist movement. Hard to read because of the extensive detail and because it doesn't always follow events chronologically. Helped me validate my views about the Israeli-Palestinian situation.
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July 8, 2012This won't be an easy read-- 1k+ pages
October 30, 2013
Very nice archive...
July 30, 2016
This was an extremely readable history of Israel.
June 24, 2017
How this book treat the history of Israel/Palestine question is analysed through a PhD thesis that has been conducted under professor Ilan Pappe’s supervision in the European centre for Palestine Studies (ECPS). According to the results of the thesis, this book is the fifth most adopted textbook in the area of Israel/Palestine history in western universities.
This academic investigation expose how the report of the question’s history in this book is undermined by a pro-Israeli bias. For more information about this research you can consult with: https://ore.exeter.ac.uk/repository/h...
An article is, also, published by Journal of Holy Land and Palestine Studies that contain the main results of that research: http://www.euppublishing.com/doi/abs/...
This academic investigation expose how the report of the question’s history in this book is undermined by a pro-Israeli bias. For more information about this research you can consult with: https://ore.exeter.ac.uk/repository/h...
An article is, also, published by Journal of Holy Land and Palestine Studies that contain the main results of that research: http://www.euppublishing.com/doi/abs/...
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December 14, 2018956.94 S121h 2007
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews