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Moshe Dayan: Israel's Controversial Hero
From the prizewinning Jewish Lives series, a vivid portrait of one of the most powerful leaders in Israel’s first decades of statehood
Instantly recognizable with his iconic eye patch, Moshe Dayan (1915–1981) was one of Israel's most charismatic—and controversial—personalities. As a youth he earned the reputation of a fearless warrior, and in later years as a leading military tactician, admired by peers and enemies alike. As chief of staff during the 1956 Sinai Campaign and as minister of defense during the 1967 Six Day War, Dayan led the Israel Defense Forces to stunning military victories. But in the aftermath of the bungled 1973 Yom Kippur War, he shared the blame for operational mistakes and retired from the government. He later proved himself a principled and talented diplomat, playing an integral role in peace negotiations with Egypt.
In this memorable biography, Mordechai Bar-On, Dayan's IDF bureau chief, offers an intimate view of Dayan's private life, public career, and political controversies, set against an original analysis of Israel's political environment from pre-Mandate Palestine through the early 1980s. Drawing on a wealth of Israeli archives, accounts by Dayan and members of his circle, and firsthand experiences, Bar-On reveals Dayan as a man unwavering in his devotion to Zionism and the Land of Israel. Moshe Dayan makes a unique contribution to the history of Israel and the complexities of the Arab-Israeli conflict.
Instantly recognizable with his iconic eye patch, Moshe Dayan (1915–1981) was one of Israel's most charismatic—and controversial—personalities. As a youth he earned the reputation of a fearless warrior, and in later years as a leading military tactician, admired by peers and enemies alike. As chief of staff during the 1956 Sinai Campaign and as minister of defense during the 1967 Six Day War, Dayan led the Israel Defense Forces to stunning military victories. But in the aftermath of the bungled 1973 Yom Kippur War, he shared the blame for operational mistakes and retired from the government. He later proved himself a principled and talented diplomat, playing an integral role in peace negotiations with Egypt.
In this memorable biography, Mordechai Bar-On, Dayan's IDF bureau chief, offers an intimate view of Dayan's private life, public career, and political controversies, set against an original analysis of Israel's political environment from pre-Mandate Palestine through the early 1980s. Drawing on a wealth of Israeli archives, accounts by Dayan and members of his circle, and firsthand experiences, Bar-On reveals Dayan as a man unwavering in his devotion to Zionism and the Land of Israel. Moshe Dayan makes a unique contribution to the history of Israel and the complexities of the Arab-Israeli conflict.
264 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2012
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About the author
Mordechai Bar-On
14 booksMordechai Bar-On is senior research fellow, Yad Izhak Ben-Zvi Institute, Jerusalem. He served in the Israel Defense Forces as General Moshe Dayan's bureau chief during the Sinai Campaign, and in 1984 was elected to the Knesset, Israel's parliament. He lives in Jerusalem.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 7, 2018
Bar-On was Dayan’s bureau chief for part of his career. I am looking for a more analytical, personal story of Moshe Dayan and the other pillars of the foundation of Israel. This book is for the reader who prefers military history as political history. Dayan’s military moves are analyzed more than I needed.
“Dayan seemed to have the insight into short-term processes but not the foresight required for long-term historical goals.” “I had long since noticed that one of Dayan’s ways to vanquish fear, which, like everyone else he felt at such moments, was to attack.” “Dayan was ‘Mr. Security’ and he imparted that perception of safety to the people.” The Israeli public ate up his “devil-may-care image” until the Yom Kippur War.“ But Dayan was never alert to the finer points of dealing with people.” Begin of Dayan: “[He] enjoys international renown, and statesmen all over the world defer to him. His reputation is similar among Diaspora Jewry, and he is respected in Arab states.” Bar-On concludes: “For all his acuity and intuition, his political thinking remained basically provincial. He claimed that his plan amounted to recognition of the existence of the Palestinian people but not of their right to self-determination.”
“Dayan seemed to have the insight into short-term processes but not the foresight required for long-term historical goals.” “I had long since noticed that one of Dayan’s ways to vanquish fear, which, like everyone else he felt at such moments, was to attack.” “Dayan was ‘Mr. Security’ and he imparted that perception of safety to the people.” The Israeli public ate up his “devil-may-care image” until the Yom Kippur War.“ But Dayan was never alert to the finer points of dealing with people.” Begin of Dayan: “[He] enjoys international renown, and statesmen all over the world defer to him. His reputation is similar among Diaspora Jewry, and he is respected in Arab states.” Bar-On concludes: “For all his acuity and intuition, his political thinking remained basically provincial. He claimed that his plan amounted to recognition of the existence of the Palestinian people but not of their right to self-determination.”
January 31, 2022
This is a good book in continuation of Moshe Dayan: A Story of My Life. The author was able to honestly criticize and analyze Moshe as a commander, a husband and a statesman. Indeed, his life story is one of the most important to know on how Israel started.
May 29, 2017
Short, a good intro or overview text. "Dayan claimed he only knew how to 'plow to build the homeland and hold a sword to defend the earth.'" Incredibly influential, controversial, and iconic, he was a essential player in the foundation and survival of the nascent Jewish state. The author of this biography, Dayan's bureau chief during the Sinai campaign, provides an intimate yet objective history of his life. Dayan's frequent womanizing, his poor treatment of his first wife Ruth and his children, and his autocratic archaeological individualism all provide a glimpse into the complications of this famous man.
But Bar-on does not pillory Dayan. Dayan's sympathy for the Arab--and Palestinian--peoples, his efforts for peace with Egypt, his plans to contain Jewish expansion are fascinatingly balanced against his Zionism, and firm beliefs in the natural geographic boundaries of Israel, and direction of retaliatory raids against Palestinian terrorism. His efforts to integrate the idea of a secure and defendable Jewish state, and the interests of the Palestinian peoples were ultimately futile. His dedication to the Camp David Peace accords (Bar-on credits him with saving the talks), and his dedication to all the peoples of Israel are obvious. As Bar-on remarks in the introduction, Dayan's story is the story of the formation of Israel; as a military history of Israel, Dayan's life was intertwined with the military crucible events that secured and defined the boundaries of such a unique country.
But Bar-on does not pillory Dayan. Dayan's sympathy for the Arab--and Palestinian--peoples, his efforts for peace with Egypt, his plans to contain Jewish expansion are fascinatingly balanced against his Zionism, and firm beliefs in the natural geographic boundaries of Israel, and direction of retaliatory raids against Palestinian terrorism. His efforts to integrate the idea of a secure and defendable Jewish state, and the interests of the Palestinian peoples were ultimately futile. His dedication to the Camp David Peace accords (Bar-on credits him with saving the talks), and his dedication to all the peoples of Israel are obvious. As Bar-on remarks in the introduction, Dayan's story is the story of the formation of Israel; as a military history of Israel, Dayan's life was intertwined with the military crucible events that secured and defined the boundaries of such a unique country.
September 16, 2013
The author states that in many respects the history of Moshe Dayan is the history of Israel. Well, not quite. If you're looking for a history of Israel, it is best not to start with this book. The many other characters and geography of Israel's history are introduced with the assumption that the reader already has some familiarity with the subject. Nevertheless, this book is wonderful. It stays mainly on the topic of Dayan the statesman and warrior, and only strays into his personal life enough to keep things spiced up. It is a must read if you already have some familiarity with Moshe Dayan, and even if you are not it is worth a try if you're willing to do a bit of digging to fill in some gaps.
February 25, 2022
ביוגרפיה מעודכנת וקולחת. עם זאת, זה לא ניתוח היסטורי. חיבתו הרבה של המחבר בולטת מאוד ולכן גם שהוא מזכיר דברים שליליים הם די ברקע.
July 6, 2024
A realistic, up-close examination Moshe Dayan's life, personality, and surrounding circumstances.
September 11, 2013
I have always been intrigued by Israel's History, especially starting 1920-present. I have read a lot about thier history and prominent Leaders: David Ben-Guren, Golda Mier, Menachim Begin. I was fortunate to be able to spend a week in Israel Via Haifa. I have seen the DVD set called "against all Odds" about miracles of them becoming a Nation. I've seen programs on the History Channels. I was a young Marine Cpl. During the peace Talks With PM Begin And Egyptian President Anwar Sadat mediated by President Jimmy Carter, And was fortunate to stand face to face with PM Begin. PM Golda Mier has always one of the women in history that I have most admired. To say that, I,ve always wanted to read about Moshe Dayan. I have read history books and documentaries with him in them. And who can ever forget the Israeli General with the BLACK EYE-Patch.
This book I find refreshing and discriptive I feel that the Author really captuerd the essence of him, good,bad and the ugly. I really came to admire him, His strengths and his military expertise, not the character flaws. He is intwined in Modern Israeli history. He was a world Icon and well respected throughout the World.
This book I find refreshing and discriptive I feel that the Author really captuerd the essence of him, good,bad and the ugly. I really came to admire him, His strengths and his military expertise, not the character flaws. He is intwined in Modern Israeli history. He was a world Icon and well respected throughout the World.
February 7, 2013
Uncomplicated basic review of Dayan's life. Best feature is that it is short (200 pages).
January 3, 2014
Meh. Not so enthralling. I got bored pretty quickly… and it wasn't such a long book. I have a feeling there are more compelling reads on Dayan out there… this was disappointing.
April 19, 2017
"'I lived with two eyes for twenty-six years. It's not terrible. You can live with one eye, too.'" (24)
"'Man goes into mortal battle not in order to serve others, not in order to sacrifice himself for the future. Man goes into battle because he, personally, does not want to surrender, to be defeated -- he wants to fight for the existence of his life but for the meaning of his life. Death is merely the supreme expression of the courage of his struggle. It is not the death of war, of a historic event, it is a personal death, dynamic, imprinted in the struggle, the fight, not the war.'" (98)
"Dayan claimed he only knew how to 'plow to build the homeland and hold a sword to defend the earth.'" (218)
"'Man goes into mortal battle not in order to serve others, not in order to sacrifice himself for the future. Man goes into battle because he, personally, does not want to surrender, to be defeated -- he wants to fight for the existence of his life but for the meaning of his life. Death is merely the supreme expression of the courage of his struggle. It is not the death of war, of a historic event, it is a personal death, dynamic, imprinted in the struggle, the fight, not the war.'" (98)
"Dayan claimed he only knew how to 'plow to build the homeland and hold a sword to defend the earth.'" (218)
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews