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Philistine: The Great Deception
Excellent Book
- GenresHistory
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First published May 1, 1995
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 28, 2017
It should be with restraint when anyone trumpets a book with high praise, for not all books are written or edited to be so worthy of it. Too many books are told to be gold offerings when the book's pyrite gleam is apparent.
Ramon Bennet's Philistine is undeniable gold. Instead of aggregating books about the Middle East and reading them to gain a "clear picture," I would suggest starting with the clear picture and gathering the books afterword to focus the lens in a pinpoint way. This book does just that - gives the starting, clear picture.
Philistine is uncompromisingly authoritative, richly sourced (two chapters contain over 200+ source notes), succinct, clear to understand, highly indisputable, and disturbingly provoking to both sides of the Arab-Israeli Conflict. The book was researched over a period of 18 months that the author found to be "utterly depressing" (p. xi) due to the material he was researching. Bennett, noting that "600 page books are not popular" (p. xi) condensed his writing to a 300 page book, but not without reminding the reader that many source books he left untouched to make this feat possible (p. xi).
The book's authoritative stance will bend those who believe he is fear mongering or 'Islamophobic' but it should be born in mind that "blessed are the flexible, for they will not be bent out of shape." The book's open statements (for instance, in saying that the Arabs are inherently violent because it is their Bedouin culture and roots, p. 28) will naturally stir emotion. Bennett is not remiss to make such statements without fact and the book should be judged accordingly. For instance, in relation to the previous claim of Arab violence, he quotes the renowned Ibn Khaldun: "Savagery has become their character and their nature" (p. 28).
(In the "Author's Preface," Bennett does say that his writing of the Arab Mind is an "abstraction" and that "there can only be individual minds or psyches" and apologizes "to the small percentage who are not part of the great mass" (p. xi).
Beginner and scholar alike will find new information in the feast Bennett lays before them. Bennett stays painfully on task with each chapter without overwhelming the reader with information. Bennett’s humor is also put on display and livens the text (“Most foreign journalists know less Israeli history than the average bell-boy in a Midwestern hotel” (p. 180).
Bennett's book will be chided by some as 'one-sided' and 'unfair.' The book, however, is equal time, noting things that the mainstream media and politicians did not and still do not accurately portray. His chapter on the PLO in Lebanon (chapter 5) tells of media persons threatened with mutilated body parts left on their doors that served as "warnings that unless they toed the mark editorially, they too would 'wind up wrapped in plastic'" (p. 80).
While his book is one-sided to Israel, is it necessary to dismiss the book based on that notion? Many books are blatantly one-sided to Arabs (as Albert Hourani's "History of the Arab Peoples" is) but are hardly dismissed. The book should be judged by the ideas it conveys, how it conveys them, and if they are worthy of attention. To this reader, this book conveys its ideas well and is extremely worthy of one's attention.
Bennett’s knowledge of Hebrew allows him to make note of Biblical mis-translations in modern English, which make surprising amounts of sense. He details the true meanings of rephaim, nephilim, “praying for the peace of Jerusalem” (which Bennett translates to greeting travelers and not praying for peace) and the name the LORD of hosts (on pages 269 and 277). These must be discovered and investigated by the reader.
Two contentions with Philistine to note are Bennett’s belief in a coming One World Government system, described in pages 192 (chapter 9) and 255 (chapter 11). They are brief mentions both times in relation to the other subjects he discusses, but considering his authority on the other subjects makes these mentions sound out of place with their conjecture. Second, on page 276, Bennett examines three prophecies concerning coming wars found in the Biblical books of Ezekiel, Joel, and Zechariah. Biblical prophecy is always a place of caution and much debate. Bennett’s interpretation of the passages breathes sense, but ultimately he “leave[s] the reader to form his or her own conclusion” (p. 276).
The book’s age does not disqualify it from being resourceful. The news media and the UN are still biased to Israel (chapters 8 and 9), the myth of Palestine and the plight of the Palestinian refugees are still lauded (chapters 6 and 7) and Arab leaders still proclaim to their own people, in 2016, the eventual demise of the “Zionist regime” (chapter 5). The book has too many subjects to list for a review and deserves its own study, either for refutation or acceptance. Ultimately, “The struggle with the Zionist enemy is not a struggle about Israel’s borders, but about Israel’s existence” (quotation of Nabil Sha’ath, a head of a PLO negotiation delegation, p.97).
This book is a necessity for a beginner's reading in Middle Eastern history as its presentation and heavily sourced notes make for a reliable, clear picture that help to explain almost every other book about the subject(s).
Ramon Bennet's Philistine is undeniable gold. Instead of aggregating books about the Middle East and reading them to gain a "clear picture," I would suggest starting with the clear picture and gathering the books afterword to focus the lens in a pinpoint way. This book does just that - gives the starting, clear picture.
Philistine is uncompromisingly authoritative, richly sourced (two chapters contain over 200+ source notes), succinct, clear to understand, highly indisputable, and disturbingly provoking to both sides of the Arab-Israeli Conflict. The book was researched over a period of 18 months that the author found to be "utterly depressing" (p. xi) due to the material he was researching. Bennett, noting that "600 page books are not popular" (p. xi) condensed his writing to a 300 page book, but not without reminding the reader that many source books he left untouched to make this feat possible (p. xi).
The book's authoritative stance will bend those who believe he is fear mongering or 'Islamophobic' but it should be born in mind that "blessed are the flexible, for they will not be bent out of shape." The book's open statements (for instance, in saying that the Arabs are inherently violent because it is their Bedouin culture and roots, p. 28) will naturally stir emotion. Bennett is not remiss to make such statements without fact and the book should be judged accordingly. For instance, in relation to the previous claim of Arab violence, he quotes the renowned Ibn Khaldun: "Savagery has become their character and their nature" (p. 28).
(In the "Author's Preface," Bennett does say that his writing of the Arab Mind is an "abstraction" and that "there can only be individual minds or psyches" and apologizes "to the small percentage who are not part of the great mass" (p. xi).
Beginner and scholar alike will find new information in the feast Bennett lays before them. Bennett stays painfully on task with each chapter without overwhelming the reader with information. Bennett’s humor is also put on display and livens the text (“Most foreign journalists know less Israeli history than the average bell-boy in a Midwestern hotel” (p. 180).
Bennett's book will be chided by some as 'one-sided' and 'unfair.' The book, however, is equal time, noting things that the mainstream media and politicians did not and still do not accurately portray. His chapter on the PLO in Lebanon (chapter 5) tells of media persons threatened with mutilated body parts left on their doors that served as "warnings that unless they toed the mark editorially, they too would 'wind up wrapped in plastic'" (p. 80).
While his book is one-sided to Israel, is it necessary to dismiss the book based on that notion? Many books are blatantly one-sided to Arabs (as Albert Hourani's "History of the Arab Peoples" is) but are hardly dismissed. The book should be judged by the ideas it conveys, how it conveys them, and if they are worthy of attention. To this reader, this book conveys its ideas well and is extremely worthy of one's attention.
Bennett’s knowledge of Hebrew allows him to make note of Biblical mis-translations in modern English, which make surprising amounts of sense. He details the true meanings of rephaim, nephilim, “praying for the peace of Jerusalem” (which Bennett translates to greeting travelers and not praying for peace) and the name the LORD of hosts (on pages 269 and 277). These must be discovered and investigated by the reader.
Two contentions with Philistine to note are Bennett’s belief in a coming One World Government system, described in pages 192 (chapter 9) and 255 (chapter 11). They are brief mentions both times in relation to the other subjects he discusses, but considering his authority on the other subjects makes these mentions sound out of place with their conjecture. Second, on page 276, Bennett examines three prophecies concerning coming wars found in the Biblical books of Ezekiel, Joel, and Zechariah. Biblical prophecy is always a place of caution and much debate. Bennett’s interpretation of the passages breathes sense, but ultimately he “leave[s] the reader to form his or her own conclusion” (p. 276).
The book’s age does not disqualify it from being resourceful. The news media and the UN are still biased to Israel (chapters 8 and 9), the myth of Palestine and the plight of the Palestinian refugees are still lauded (chapters 6 and 7) and Arab leaders still proclaim to their own people, in 2016, the eventual demise of the “Zionist regime” (chapter 5). The book has too many subjects to list for a review and deserves its own study, either for refutation or acceptance. Ultimately, “The struggle with the Zionist enemy is not a struggle about Israel’s borders, but about Israel’s existence” (quotation of Nabil Sha’ath, a head of a PLO negotiation delegation, p.97).
This book is a necessity for a beginner's reading in Middle Eastern history as its presentation and heavily sourced notes make for a reliable, clear picture that help to explain almost every other book about the subject(s).
February 2, 2024
A Masterpiece. A brilliantly insightful overview and history of the Arab mindset and the Israeli persecution. Ramon Bennett has done an exceptional job of exploring biblical history and prophecy and weaving it into our current world today.
Originally published in 1993, this updated version has insights and additional info to help the reader understand the outcomes of many topics discussed.
Until the Western mind learns how the Arab mind thinks, we are continuously at a disadvantage and continually duped by their false promises of "peace" in the middle east.
Ramon Bennett received death threats for writing this book, among several others, for his vigorous backed claims that the Arab mindset is bent on lies at all costs to achieve their end game- the total annihilation of Israel. Fascinating coverage of past global leaders like Anwar Sadat, Sadaam Hussein, Benjamin Netanyahu, George Bush, Bill Clinton, King Hussein of Jordan, Yitzhak Rabin, Shimon Peres, and many others. The book ends with a total overview of 5 prophecies of future wars with Israel like the Gog/Magog war and Armageddon and which prophecies may overlap and discuss the same war.
Everyone should read this book!
Originally published in 1993, this updated version has insights and additional info to help the reader understand the outcomes of many topics discussed.
Until the Western mind learns how the Arab mind thinks, we are continuously at a disadvantage and continually duped by their false promises of "peace" in the middle east.
Ramon Bennett received death threats for writing this book, among several others, for his vigorous backed claims that the Arab mindset is bent on lies at all costs to achieve their end game- the total annihilation of Israel. Fascinating coverage of past global leaders like Anwar Sadat, Sadaam Hussein, Benjamin Netanyahu, George Bush, Bill Clinton, King Hussein of Jordan, Yitzhak Rabin, Shimon Peres, and many others. The book ends with a total overview of 5 prophecies of future wars with Israel like the Gog/Magog war and Armageddon and which prophecies may overlap and discuss the same war.
Everyone should read this book!
December 5, 2018
This book I liked a lot, although some passages produced a terrible sadness for the Palestinian fanaticism, its bad government, and the constant threats that Jews always face.
June 23, 2015
In 1996, while I was visiting Israel, I acquired copies of the newly published book from Mr. Bennett's wife, Zippora. I read it then and again this week. It is amazing that not much has changed with the Arab nations still prophesying the destruction of Israel and the world leaders still putting pressure on Israel to give up lands that belong to them from Biblical time.
For anyone wanting to know about the deception perpetrated upon the nation of Israel by the World leaders, the Palestinian leaders under Arafat and the PLO and the Prime Minister of Israel, Yitzhak Rabin, this is the book to gain some insight.
Unfortunately, Yitzhak Rabin deceived the people of the Golan Heights into believing he would never trade the Golan Heights back to Syria if he became Prime Minister of Israel. We all know those leaders have gone to their graves with their false prophecies of Israel's destruction- Arafat, Quaddifi, Assad, Hussein. Unfortunately, Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin also went to his grave assassinated by an Orthodox Jewish young man because of Rabin's "peace agreements" with those determined to destroy them. The Golan is still in Israel and should never be surrendered.
For anyone wanting to know about the deception perpetrated upon the nation of Israel by the World leaders, the Palestinian leaders under Arafat and the PLO and the Prime Minister of Israel, Yitzhak Rabin, this is the book to gain some insight.
Unfortunately, Yitzhak Rabin deceived the people of the Golan Heights into believing he would never trade the Golan Heights back to Syria if he became Prime Minister of Israel. We all know those leaders have gone to their graves with their false prophecies of Israel's destruction- Arafat, Quaddifi, Assad, Hussein. Unfortunately, Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin also went to his grave assassinated by an Orthodox Jewish young man because of Rabin's "peace agreements" with those determined to destroy them. The Golan is still in Israel and should never be surrendered.
December 8, 2014
Alle Kristene, der tror at de ved noget, om Israel/det jødiske folk, guds udvalgte.
Skal/bør Læse denne bog.
Der appelleres, i høj grad til de højt uddannede Akademikere,
og alle os andre, med gennemsnitlige uddannelses niveauer.
All Kristene who think they know something about Israel / the Jewish people, God's chosen ones.
Must / should be reading this book.
There apaleres, greatly to the highly educated academics,
and all of us, with reported average education levels.
Skal/bør Læse denne bog.
Der appelleres, i høj grad til de højt uddannede Akademikere,
og alle os andre, med gennemsnitlige uddannelses niveauer.
All Kristene who think they know something about Israel / the Jewish people, God's chosen ones.
Must / should be reading this book.
There apaleres, greatly to the highly educated academics,
and all of us, with reported average education levels.
March 26, 2015
Very informative.
June 18, 2025
Clearly biased, but very informative and well-sourced, especially from a Biblical point of view.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews