Moshe Dayan

by Martin van Creveld

Martin van Creveld, author of the critically acclaimed Men, Women, and War , turns his attention to one of the most significant figures of the 20th century. With his distinctive eye patch, Israeli military commander Moshe Dayan looked every part the fearsome warrior, yet he was far more. This unflinching biography paints a complete portrait of Dayan the military man and statesman. Starting with his early days in the Haganah , a group of underground Jewish fighters, the biography follows Dyan’s career as a highly decorated star pilot; as the leader of the Israeli forces during the 1967 Six Day War and the October 1973 war; and as a master diplomat who played an instrumental role in negotiating the historic treaty with Anwar Sadat’s Egypt.

Genres: Biography, Middle East, Israel, War

224 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2004

About the author

Martin Levi van Creveld is an Israeli military historian and theorist.

Van Creveld was born in the Netherlands in the city of Rotterdam, and has lived in Israel since shortly after his birth. He holds degrees from the London School of Economics and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where he has been on the faculty since 1971. He is the author of seventeen books on military history and strategy, of which Command in War (1985), Supplying War: Logistics from Wallenstein to Patton (1977, 2nd edition 2004), The Transformation of War (1991), The Sword and the Olive (1998) and The Rise and Decline of the State (1999) are among the best known. Van Creveld has lectured or taught at many strategic institutes in the Western world, including the U.S. Naval War College.

- wikipedia.org

Reviews

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moshe Dayan was a brilliant natural military leader, who commanded and administered the Israel Defense Forces in its "golden era." His military career began in the British-organized pre-state Palmach (he lost his eye on a scouting mission for the Australians as they advanced into Vichy-ruled Syria in WWII), commanded a battalion and a brigade in the War of Independence and was the IDF Chief of Staff in the 1956 Sinai Campaign. Leaving the army for politics, he was appointed Minister of Defense just prior to the Six-Day War in June, 1967. Seeped in Arab culture, he was also a skilled diplomat and preferred to make peace rather than war, although he thrived in combat. Dayan was one of those free spirits, who felt he was exempt from the rules (his illegal collection of archeological artifacts is just one example) and he was a ladies' man of considerable accomplishment. A fascinating character, and Professor Van Creveld brings him and this bygone era to life in this short, readable biography. An essential addition to anyone's library of the modern Middle East.

[Chaimpesach · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book exploring an exciting life.

The book is too short to provide sufficient details on his failures, namely in 1973, but there are many interesting stories contained within. A standout chapter details his visit to Vietnam and the insightful criticism Dayan provided to his American friends. His oft-forgotten role in brokering a peace with Egypt is also given its due.

The book is well-written and enjoyable to read.