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The Six Day War
A factual account of the Israeli-Arab war of June 1967 - a crisp and vivid narrative of the events leading up to the outbreak of war; a blow-by-blow description of the air and land fighting; and an analysis of the postwar diplomatic exchanges.
Randolph Spencer-Churchill was the son of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and his wife Clementine. He was a Member of Parliament between 1940 to 1945. He served with the 4th Queen's Own Hussars during the Second World War and later worked as a journalist. He was the author of several works of non-fiction, including the first two volumes of the official biography of his father.
Winston Spencer-Churchill was the grandson of Sir Winston Churchill. He served as a member of British Parliament between 1970 and 1997. He was the author of five works of non-fiction, while he also compiled and edited Never Give In!, a collection of the Best of Sir Winston Churchill's speeches.
Randolph Spencer-Churchill was the son of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and his wife Clementine. He was a Member of Parliament between 1940 to 1945. He served with the 4th Queen's Own Hussars during the Second World War and later worked as a journalist. He was the author of several works of non-fiction, including the first two volumes of the official biography of his father.
Winston Spencer-Churchill was the grandson of Sir Winston Churchill. He served as a member of British Parliament between 1970 and 1997. He was the author of five works of non-fiction, while he also compiled and edited Never Give In!, a collection of the Best of Sir Winston Churchill's speeches.
250 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1967
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 16, 2019
Πρόκειται για βιβλίο γραμμένο ελάχιστο χρόνο μετά τη λήξη του πολέμου οπότε δεν είναι επίκαιρο όσον αφορά την κατάσταση στην περιοχή, ούτε έχει το πλεονέκτημα που δίνει η χρονική απόσταση για να εκτιμηθούν τα αποτελέσματα της σύγκρουσης, ενώ και τα γεγονότα της εποχής αναλύονται σχεδόν ολοκληρωτικά από την Ισραηλινή οπτική. Από εκεί και πέρα η καταγραφή των πολεμικών επιχειρήσεων του σύντομου πολέμου είναι αναλυτική και αρκετά ενδιαφέρουσα.
October 29, 2017
ملحوظة : الكتاب من تاليف راندولف ونستون تشرشل ( ابن ونستون تشرشل رئيس وزراء انجلترا )
January 17, 2018
Dug this one out from the back of the book cupboard when, in a debate with some friends, I was unable to counter/remember someone's assertion that "Israel has started all the conflicts with the Arabs". This book, jointly by Winston Churchill's son and grandson, is a publishing style that has largely disappeared with 24 hour TV, analysis, and the Internet - the quickly produced (what I'd term reportage plus) book which has some of the immediacy of news journalism but with a more considered overview (largely Randolph Churchill's account of the diplomacy and London TV and newspaper reporting) of the build up to war and the immediate ramifications of it.
Though the terse war reporting of Winston Churchill ("The" Churchill's grandson - later to be a right wing Tory MP) from Israel seems factual as far as it goes, the objectivity is suspect (in the first chapter, the regular tit-for-tat attacks by both sides in the uneasy 10 year standoff after the Suez crisis are characterised as Israeli "punitive actions" versus Arab/Egyptian "terrorism"). I think both younger Churchills were of the "plague on both your houses" type - though their major criticism of the Arab side was their low opinion of Egypt's President Nasser; he having given short shrift to Britain's threadbare colonial hegemony when they tried to reassert them after WW2.
Inevitably, many of the long-gone characters and issues (notably America taking its eye off the ball as the domestic and military crisis of Vietnam had started to loom) seem archaic and almost quaint. The Labour Government of Harold Wilson comes under fire for being too pro-Israel, the assertion that the then Foreign Secretary, George Brown, could not do his job properly (a book of its own methinks) because his wife was a Jew being particularly jarring.
The account of the Six Day War is still compelling - the massive build-up of Arab pressure through mobilisation of troops and blockades - what were 50000 Iraqi troops placed on the frontier, 13 miles from Tel-Aviv, doing other than preparing to invade? - the preemptive Israeli air strikes destroying the Egyptian Air Force on the ground - the immediate high speed IDF armoured assault, and the comprehensive victory in days - the Arabs' much vaunted Soviet MIGs and other arms proving vastly inferior to Israel's western armaments, particularly the French Mirage fighters - seemed so exhilarating to me (a 15 year old schoolboy) at the time, now much more equivocal in the light of what happened subsequently up until the present day.
Most interesting perhaps is an appendix giving some analysis of the BBC's coverage of the war (originally intended to be a comparison with ITN, this was scuppered as Randolph Churchill wasn't in the habit of watching the news on ITV!). My memory (of watching the news nightly as the action unrolled) must have been false as there was actually little TV filming available other than some Israeli Army propaganda footage. The immediacy of the conflict was transmitted by reporting of a host of reporters from those halcyon days of Panorama etc - even Michael Parkinson was there in Tel Aviv - but the peerless Michael Elkins, who scooped the news of the Israeli victory whilst the rest of the media were uncritically reporting the Egyptian wishful thinking that hundreds of Isrtaeli planes had been shot down, stands out as the Voice of Jerusalem over twenty years for the BBC. All in all, a fascinating read - not least because the conniptions about whose fault the Palestinian/Israeli crisis is - are rendered irrelevant by the avalanche of on the one hand/on the other hand considerations any examination prompts.
Though the terse war reporting of Winston Churchill ("The" Churchill's grandson - later to be a right wing Tory MP) from Israel seems factual as far as it goes, the objectivity is suspect (in the first chapter, the regular tit-for-tat attacks by both sides in the uneasy 10 year standoff after the Suez crisis are characterised as Israeli "punitive actions" versus Arab/Egyptian "terrorism"). I think both younger Churchills were of the "plague on both your houses" type - though their major criticism of the Arab side was their low opinion of Egypt's President Nasser; he having given short shrift to Britain's threadbare colonial hegemony when they tried to reassert them after WW2.
Inevitably, many of the long-gone characters and issues (notably America taking its eye off the ball as the domestic and military crisis of Vietnam had started to loom) seem archaic and almost quaint. The Labour Government of Harold Wilson comes under fire for being too pro-Israel, the assertion that the then Foreign Secretary, George Brown, could not do his job properly (a book of its own methinks) because his wife was a Jew being particularly jarring.
The account of the Six Day War is still compelling - the massive build-up of Arab pressure through mobilisation of troops and blockades - what were 50000 Iraqi troops placed on the frontier, 13 miles from Tel-Aviv, doing other than preparing to invade? - the preemptive Israeli air strikes destroying the Egyptian Air Force on the ground - the immediate high speed IDF armoured assault, and the comprehensive victory in days - the Arabs' much vaunted Soviet MIGs and other arms proving vastly inferior to Israel's western armaments, particularly the French Mirage fighters - seemed so exhilarating to me (a 15 year old schoolboy) at the time, now much more equivocal in the light of what happened subsequently up until the present day.
Most interesting perhaps is an appendix giving some analysis of the BBC's coverage of the war (originally intended to be a comparison with ITN, this was scuppered as Randolph Churchill wasn't in the habit of watching the news on ITV!). My memory (of watching the news nightly as the action unrolled) must have been false as there was actually little TV filming available other than some Israeli Army propaganda footage. The immediacy of the conflict was transmitted by reporting of a host of reporters from those halcyon days of Panorama etc - even Michael Parkinson was there in Tel Aviv - but the peerless Michael Elkins, who scooped the news of the Israeli victory whilst the rest of the media were uncritically reporting the Egyptian wishful thinking that hundreds of Isrtaeli planes had been shot down, stands out as the Voice of Jerusalem over twenty years for the BBC. All in all, a fascinating read - not least because the conniptions about whose fault the Palestinian/Israeli crisis is - are rendered irrelevant by the avalanche of on the one hand/on the other hand considerations any examination prompts.
January 9, 2024
A book by the son and grandson of Winston Churchill, this account is very helpful for those who know nothing about the war, nor anything about the politics of the Middle East. Published three months after the conclusion of the war, the book is based on interviews with Israeli soldiers, generals, and politicians involved with the war effort. In this, it remains remarkably factual. Without the sands of time to wear away at the memories of those involved, it provides a faithful (though one-sided) account of the war. In fairness to the authors, based on tensions at the time of publication and the attitudes of the Arab leaders (notable Nasser in Egypt, Aref in Iraq, and the left-wing government of Syria), it is unlikely that they would have obtained more helpful information from these individuals than from the Egyptian POWs quoted in the book.
Though undoubtedly biased towards Israel and focused on a British perspective to international affairs, the book does an excellent job of presenting the events of the war itself in a factual light. The events leading up to the war could have benefited from some additional perspective in favor of Egypt. The authors do a good job of making Israel's case for the inevitability of the war, and the need for a preemptive attack. Another area where they could have done better is in addressing the refugee crisis that Israel then faced in conquering the West Bank, the Gaza strip, and the Golem heights, and the problems that might come from managing that.
There are reasons to read this book outside of learning about the six day war. The first appendix is devoted to a breakdown of the BBC's coverage of the war. Originally intended to be a comparison between the government-funded network and an independent network, it turned into an analysis of the issues with using television during a real-time war, the lack of reporters in the field, the advantages of radio and the perceived setbacks of the BBC here, and an incomplete, yet helpful picture of the state of media in 1967. Though I don't know anything about Vietnam, I imagine this would be helpful in analyzing how the press was involved in the Vietnam war in the U.S. and abroad.
This also proves to be helpful today because it shows that flaws often lie not with the information received, but who presents it, how it is presented, what is omitted, and the reader/listener/watcher on the other side. This is important context today. As someone trying to understand the world in 2024, it is important to consider how the Internet has shifted incentive structures across the board, and what the incentives are of the sources we consume information from.
Also interesting is the perspective on Arab nations and their lack of motivation and unity. Whether it still exists or not is something I do not know, but as the authors demonstrate, it did not exist in 1967. There was no support for refugees in Gaza or the West Bank, and the actions of residents and the military (primarily fleeing) highlight its lack of existence. As was put several times, Israel was fighting for its existence. Egypt and other countries were fighting another battle.
Though undoubtedly biased towards Israel and focused on a British perspective to international affairs, the book does an excellent job of presenting the events of the war itself in a factual light. The events leading up to the war could have benefited from some additional perspective in favor of Egypt. The authors do a good job of making Israel's case for the inevitability of the war, and the need for a preemptive attack. Another area where they could have done better is in addressing the refugee crisis that Israel then faced in conquering the West Bank, the Gaza strip, and the Golem heights, and the problems that might come from managing that.
There are reasons to read this book outside of learning about the six day war. The first appendix is devoted to a breakdown of the BBC's coverage of the war. Originally intended to be a comparison between the government-funded network and an independent network, it turned into an analysis of the issues with using television during a real-time war, the lack of reporters in the field, the advantages of radio and the perceived setbacks of the BBC here, and an incomplete, yet helpful picture of the state of media in 1967. Though I don't know anything about Vietnam, I imagine this would be helpful in analyzing how the press was involved in the Vietnam war in the U.S. and abroad.
This also proves to be helpful today because it shows that flaws often lie not with the information received, but who presents it, how it is presented, what is omitted, and the reader/listener/watcher on the other side. This is important context today. As someone trying to understand the world in 2024, it is important to consider how the Internet has shifted incentive structures across the board, and what the incentives are of the sources we consume information from.
Also interesting is the perspective on Arab nations and their lack of motivation and unity. Whether it still exists or not is something I do not know, but as the authors demonstrate, it did not exist in 1967. There was no support for refugees in Gaza or the West Bank, and the actions of residents and the military (primarily fleeing) highlight its lack of existence. As was put several times, Israel was fighting for its existence. Egypt and other countries were fighting another battle.
January 8, 2023
The Six Day War is receding into history now, but still resonates as one of the most amazing feats of arms in the history of warfare. In a carefully planned and immaculately executed series of attacks and battles, the Israeli Defence Forces overwhelmed the Egyptian, Jordanian and Syrian armies in the space of a week. Facing a crisis that threatened the end of their country, the Israelis struck first, annihilated the military forces of their enemies, and changed the strategic map of the Middle East, a change that still resonates today.
This book, written at the time by the son and grandson of Winston Churchill, is a very good piece of reportage and battle reporting. We get a good introduction of the events leading up to the War, the closure of the Straits of Tiran and the provocations of Nasser. A concise description of the Orders of Battle describe the advantage of the Arab forces over Israel. Of course material is one thing, morale and tactical superiority is another.
The key to Israeli victory was the Air Force. Their pre-emptive attack, which effectively destroyed the Egyptian Air Force, meant that not only were the cities of Israel safe from bombardment, but also the Israeli armour could move unmolested by air attack through the Sinai, which they did with incredible speed and ruthlessness. The Egyptians were completely overwhelmed, losing hundreds of aircraft, tanks, artillery pieces and thousands of men.
The Israeli government and military had made the decision that, while they would attack Egypt, they would not instigate hostilities against Jordan or Syria. The Jordanians however, in support of their allies, attacked the Israeli forces around Jerusalem. After vicious fighting, the Israelis took Jerusalem and all of the West Bank.
They then went on to take the Golan Heights from Syria before agreeing to a UN ceasefire. In six days Israel had militarily secured its future, driven a stake through the heart of Arab unity, and had opened up a chance to completely change the politics of the Middle East. The postscript in this updated edition describes how that chance to re-shape the Middle East was slipping between the collective fingers of Israel, the Arab countries, the USA and USSR. As we now know, the 1967 war, while it guaranteed Israel's existence, did not create a lasting peace. War has continued, although something has happened that was unforeseen at the time of the writing of this book, and that is that Israel has been recognized by many of the countries that they fought in 1967.
This book is a well-written, pacy and informative summation of the build up, the battles and the immediate aftermath of the war.
Check out my other reviews at http://aviewoverthebell.blogspot.com.au/
This book, written at the time by the son and grandson of Winston Churchill, is a very good piece of reportage and battle reporting. We get a good introduction of the events leading up to the War, the closure of the Straits of Tiran and the provocations of Nasser. A concise description of the Orders of Battle describe the advantage of the Arab forces over Israel. Of course material is one thing, morale and tactical superiority is another.
The key to Israeli victory was the Air Force. Their pre-emptive attack, which effectively destroyed the Egyptian Air Force, meant that not only were the cities of Israel safe from bombardment, but also the Israeli armour could move unmolested by air attack through the Sinai, which they did with incredible speed and ruthlessness. The Egyptians were completely overwhelmed, losing hundreds of aircraft, tanks, artillery pieces and thousands of men.
The Israeli government and military had made the decision that, while they would attack Egypt, they would not instigate hostilities against Jordan or Syria. The Jordanians however, in support of their allies, attacked the Israeli forces around Jerusalem. After vicious fighting, the Israelis took Jerusalem and all of the West Bank.
They then went on to take the Golan Heights from Syria before agreeing to a UN ceasefire. In six days Israel had militarily secured its future, driven a stake through the heart of Arab unity, and had opened up a chance to completely change the politics of the Middle East. The postscript in this updated edition describes how that chance to re-shape the Middle East was slipping between the collective fingers of Israel, the Arab countries, the USA and USSR. As we now know, the 1967 war, while it guaranteed Israel's existence, did not create a lasting peace. War has continued, although something has happened that was unforeseen at the time of the writing of this book, and that is that Israel has been recognized by many of the countries that they fought in 1967.
This book is a well-written, pacy and informative summation of the build up, the battles and the immediate aftermath of the war.
Check out my other reviews at http://aviewoverthebell.blogspot.com.au/
March 26, 2023
A comprehensive,, engaging and detailed account for the military historian and Middle East historian alike, of Israel's heroic defense of her existance and her stunning victory in the Six Day War of 1967.
The first chapter describes the background.
This book describes how Soviet agitation and fabricated intelligence helped to egg the Arabs on to surround Israel, make violent threats and mobilize massive troop movements on Israel's borders. The Arab powers, Egypt, Syria and Iraq had practically declared war on Israel before Nasser closed the Straights of Tiran, leading to Israel eventual reaction.
On May 26 1967 Nasser addressing the leaders of the Pan Arab Federation of Trade Unions said that the coming war would be ' it will be total and it's objective will be to destroy Israel".
PLO leader Ahmed Shukeiry said it was likely that the PLO would fire the first shot. If the Arabs conquered Israel the remaining Jews would be helped to 'return to their countries of origin' 'But my estimation is that none will survive'
This book details the massive advantage the Arab powers had in weaponry prior to the war which dwrafed Israel's capabilities making Israel's lightening victory such a miracle.
The main section of the book details the fighting both on the Sinai front and in Jerusalem and the West Bank i.e Judea and Samaria.
After the war the Churchill's quote Abba Eban when he pointed out that this was the first war in history in which 'on the morrow the victors sued for peace and the vanquished called for complete surrender (of the enemy)'
Ben-Gurion pointed out that Israel regretted the war becuase of the loss of human life despite the advantages she gained from the war, and also pointed out the importance of Hebron as the rightful inheritance of Israel, as while Jerusalem became Jewish three thousand years ago under King David, Hebron became Jewish four thousand years ago under Abraham.
Observer correspondent Colin Legum pointed out that '...few armies of occupation have behaved as well or with more friendliness that Israel's. This testament comes from ever Arab mayor I have talked to on the West Bank'.
An interesting section on the BBC's comprehensive coverage of the conflict which puts to shame today's gross propaganda against Israel by the BBC today.
The BBC has certainly deteriorated from the once worthy new organization it once was, to a far-left propaganda station
The first chapter describes the background.
This book describes how Soviet agitation and fabricated intelligence helped to egg the Arabs on to surround Israel, make violent threats and mobilize massive troop movements on Israel's borders. The Arab powers, Egypt, Syria and Iraq had practically declared war on Israel before Nasser closed the Straights of Tiran, leading to Israel eventual reaction.
On May 26 1967 Nasser addressing the leaders of the Pan Arab Federation of Trade Unions said that the coming war would be ' it will be total and it's objective will be to destroy Israel".
PLO leader Ahmed Shukeiry said it was likely that the PLO would fire the first shot. If the Arabs conquered Israel the remaining Jews would be helped to 'return to their countries of origin' 'But my estimation is that none will survive'
This book details the massive advantage the Arab powers had in weaponry prior to the war which dwrafed Israel's capabilities making Israel's lightening victory such a miracle.
The main section of the book details the fighting both on the Sinai front and in Jerusalem and the West Bank i.e Judea and Samaria.
After the war the Churchill's quote Abba Eban when he pointed out that this was the first war in history in which 'on the morrow the victors sued for peace and the vanquished called for complete surrender (of the enemy)'
Ben-Gurion pointed out that Israel regretted the war becuase of the loss of human life despite the advantages she gained from the war, and also pointed out the importance of Hebron as the rightful inheritance of Israel, as while Jerusalem became Jewish three thousand years ago under King David, Hebron became Jewish four thousand years ago under Abraham.
Observer correspondent Colin Legum pointed out that '...few armies of occupation have behaved as well or with more friendliness that Israel's. This testament comes from ever Arab mayor I have talked to on the West Bank'.
An interesting section on the BBC's comprehensive coverage of the conflict which puts to shame today's gross propaganda against Israel by the BBC today.
The BBC has certainly deteriorated from the once worthy new organization it once was, to a far-left propaganda station
August 10, 2024
Once you start reading about the Israel-Palenstine conflict, it is a rabbit hole! Scarcely had I finished Oh Jerusalem, that I picked up The Six Day War by Randolph S. Churchill and Winston S. Churchill, the more famous Winston Churchill's direct descendants.
In 1967, Israel won a decisive victory against a coalation of five Arab countries (Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Iraq and Lebanon) and acquired significantly more land that it started off with, not because of military superiority, but because of intelligence and strategy. But above all, they were fighting for a cause and a passion like never before - they knew if they lost this war Jews could be wiped off the planet forever. Furthermore, winning the war meant reunifying Jerusalem under Israeli rule - that itself was more fuel to the Israeli fire than anything itself. The Arab nations also lost because of mismanagement and lying by Egyptian head-honcho, Nasser.
In the 1940s, before the formation of Israel, the British had offered the Jews a piece of land in Uganda to make their own. Ben-Gurion knew that it was only the Holy Land that would ignite Jewish passion, and he was right. They fought the way they did from the very beginning of Israeli history because it was the land that mattered so much, and that was what was the driving force of Zionism.
On another note, interestingly, back in the 1960s, Israel was so particular about not hurting the civilian population of its enemy that it chose not to bomb/destroy certain places/oil tankers, etc because of possible civilian casualty. Seems a far cry from the battles fought today.
In 1967, Israel won a decisive victory against a coalation of five Arab countries (Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Iraq and Lebanon) and acquired significantly more land that it started off with, not because of military superiority, but because of intelligence and strategy. But above all, they were fighting for a cause and a passion like never before - they knew if they lost this war Jews could be wiped off the planet forever. Furthermore, winning the war meant reunifying Jerusalem under Israeli rule - that itself was more fuel to the Israeli fire than anything itself. The Arab nations also lost because of mismanagement and lying by Egyptian head-honcho, Nasser.
In the 1940s, before the formation of Israel, the British had offered the Jews a piece of land in Uganda to make their own. Ben-Gurion knew that it was only the Holy Land that would ignite Jewish passion, and he was right. They fought the way they did from the very beginning of Israeli history because it was the land that mattered so much, and that was what was the driving force of Zionism.
On another note, interestingly, back in the 1960s, Israel was so particular about not hurting the civilian population of its enemy that it chose not to bomb/destroy certain places/oil tankers, etc because of possible civilian casualty. Seems a far cry from the battles fought today.
February 13, 2018
This is a relatively short book; but then it WAS a relatively short war.
The author's plan for his story is logical with a day-by-day account of the fighting in each of the three main theatres of conflict. He precedes this with a detailed lead up to Israel's eventual attack on Egypt and proceeds the war with a sound analysis of what's required for the future peace in the Middle East.
Here we are, a little over fifty years later and peace for the region is still as allusive as ever.
The book is definitely helped with scattered interviews with Israeli politicians and soldiers (and not just generals) and with a senior Egyptian general. These provided great insight into the character of the protagonists - very interesting.
I found this a good history of an important period in modern world history. An event that happened when I was a young man with little or no interest in such things.
Highly recommended.
The author's plan for his story is logical with a day-by-day account of the fighting in each of the three main theatres of conflict. He precedes this with a detailed lead up to Israel's eventual attack on Egypt and proceeds the war with a sound analysis of what's required for the future peace in the Middle East.
Here we are, a little over fifty years later and peace for the region is still as allusive as ever.
The book is definitely helped with scattered interviews with Israeli politicians and soldiers (and not just generals) and with a senior Egyptian general. These provided great insight into the character of the protagonists - very interesting.
I found this a good history of an important period in modern world history. An event that happened when I was a young man with little or no interest in such things.
Highly recommended.
January 13, 2024
A contemporary compilation of the events surrounding the Six Day War between Israel and its bordering nations in 1967. The book itself was published later that same year; therefore, it benefits from the freshness of the events but suffers from not having detailed analysis of the aftermath as it unfolds over the years. This is well worth the read because it depicts a war that virtually never occurs where there are lightning tactics which decisively end a conflict. Israel was observing hostile accumulation of personnel and material in its neighbours and took preemptive action to prevent a larger loss of life, which would have included its non-combatant citizens. It is useful to gain insight into modern battle tactics.
September 7, 2025
Very interesting history
This is the best history I have read, by far, of the Six Day War, of the Arab nations against Israel! While a very Anglophile accent is detected in the pro-Jordanian comments, the whole work is generally written within a factual basis! The comments on The Arabs in the Palestinian area are well reflected by the comments of the Australian Light Horse, by Iain Idriess, in 1915!
This is the best history I have read, by far, of the Six Day War, of the Arab nations against Israel! While a very Anglophile accent is detected in the pro-Jordanian comments, the whole work is generally written within a factual basis! The comments on The Arabs in the Palestinian area are well reflected by the comments of the Australian Light Horse, by Iain Idriess, in 1915!
August 21, 2022
Ο γιος και ο εγγονός του Ουίνστον Τσόρτσιλ δημιούργησαν αυτό το εξαιρετικό βιβλίο για τον Πολεμο των 6 ημερών. Πολύ καλή είναι και η δομή του που διαχωρίζει τα μέτωπα του πολέμου αλλά αναλύει και όσα προηγήθηκαν. Υπάρχει μία φιλοισραηλινή προσέγγιση αλλά προσωπικά δε με πείραξε.
May 23, 2021
Great Analysis of the Six Day War
A great review of the events leading up to the Six Day War followed by an examination of each action and it's aftermath.
A great review of the events leading up to the Six Day War followed by an examination of each action and it's aftermath.
October 29, 2024
A good summary of Israel's Six-Day war.
December 14, 2015
The Arab-Israeli War of ’67 concluded with Israel establishing her military dominance in the Middle East and tripling her land mass to include: the Gaza Strip, Sharm-el-Sheikh, the Sinai Peninsula, the Golan Heights, the West Bank of Jordan, and the Old City of Jerusalem. The aftermath of this conflict would not only affect the subsequent Yom Kippur War in ’73 (through Israel’s seizure of chiefly strategic regions such as the Golan Heights and the Sinai Peninsula), but Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian Territories,the Golan Heights, and the ensuing displacement of Palestinians, remain contentious issues to this day.
The original intention of Randolph S. and Winston S. Churchill (father and son) was to survey and compare the British media coverage of the conflict. This evolved into a 250 page account of the war with R.S. Churchill responsible for the lines of inquiry into the political and diplomatic aspects, and W.S. Churchill travelling to the battlefields, interviewing members of the Israeli Armed Forces, and high ranking officials.
At 250 pages this book offers a succinct overview of the conflict and serves as a good introduction. The introductory chapters allow for a decent understanding of the history of the region and it’s people, and then go on to explain the background of the conflict. The bulk of the book narrates the events that took place between June 5 – 10: military campaigns executed on the battlefield; maps outlining various troop movements; combatant experiences; the international reaction. The concluding chapters are devoted to a discussion of the aftermath and the media coverage. This may suffice for some.
I doubt that this book will be a first choice for many readers interested in this topic; due to its relative obscurity and due to the availability of other works that delve into far more detail. I happened to chance upon this book in a second-hand book shop, and due to my longstanding interest in the politics and history of the region I decided to buy it. It’s focus on narrating the conflict primarily from the Israeli viewpoint prevents me from praising it as comprehensive and as “an in-depth coverage” of the war. This one-sided view may be justified by the impressive and brilliant performance of the Israeli’s on the battlefield, and the need to analyse those successes. My review may be slightly tainted by bias in favour of Michael B.Oren’s Six Days of War (though I haven’t read it, I have read some outstanding reviews of its scope and coverage).
All in all The Six Day War was an informative, engaging, and enjoyable read.
The original intention of Randolph S. and Winston S. Churchill (father and son) was to survey and compare the British media coverage of the conflict. This evolved into a 250 page account of the war with R.S. Churchill responsible for the lines of inquiry into the political and diplomatic aspects, and W.S. Churchill travelling to the battlefields, interviewing members of the Israeli Armed Forces, and high ranking officials.
At 250 pages this book offers a succinct overview of the conflict and serves as a good introduction. The introductory chapters allow for a decent understanding of the history of the region and it’s people, and then go on to explain the background of the conflict. The bulk of the book narrates the events that took place between June 5 – 10: military campaigns executed on the battlefield; maps outlining various troop movements; combatant experiences; the international reaction. The concluding chapters are devoted to a discussion of the aftermath and the media coverage. This may suffice for some.
I doubt that this book will be a first choice for many readers interested in this topic; due to its relative obscurity and due to the availability of other works that delve into far more detail. I happened to chance upon this book in a second-hand book shop, and due to my longstanding interest in the politics and history of the region I decided to buy it. It’s focus on narrating the conflict primarily from the Israeli viewpoint prevents me from praising it as comprehensive and as “an in-depth coverage” of the war. This one-sided view may be justified by the impressive and brilliant performance of the Israeli’s on the battlefield, and the need to analyse those successes. My review may be slightly tainted by bias in favour of Michael B.Oren’s Six Days of War (though I haven’t read it, I have read some outstanding reviews of its scope and coverage).
All in all The Six Day War was an informative, engaging, and enjoyable read.
March 10, 2016
Randolph Churchill, son of the legendary wartime British prime minister, and his son, Winston, co-authored this account of the Six Day War. Winston was in Israel during and after the fighting while Randolph was in London & privy to the diplomatic events that occurred. Should be a fascinating book about a pivotal event in modern Israel's history.
Finished: A relatively short book for a short war. The authors laid out the recent past of the Middle East, setting the stage for the conflict. They spared no side in terms of issues - including their own nation of Britain (which shared the blame with France for the fiasco known as the Suez Crisis in 1956). This made it clear how Israel was able to overcome 4 different armed forces and gain territory that, in some cases, they still control.
The book was released soon after the initial hostilities ended so any further fighting which occurred up to the '73 war is not mentioned.
Finished: A relatively short book for a short war. The authors laid out the recent past of the Middle East, setting the stage for the conflict. They spared no side in terms of issues - including their own nation of Britain (which shared the blame with France for the fiasco known as the Suez Crisis in 1956). This made it clear how Israel was able to overcome 4 different armed forces and gain territory that, in some cases, they still control.
The book was released soon after the initial hostilities ended so any further fighting which occurred up to the '73 war is not mentioned.
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January 5, 2015A fascinating view written very shortly after the war. Probably the first account not considered news. The perspective is quite different than the one I got from autobiographies of the Jewish leaders. Looking forward to Nasser's account later this year.
October 16, 2008
I'm sure better books on the subject exist.
August 8, 2012
Not a great book on the topic, but it has the best description of the airstrkes on the first day that I've read in English. HOwever, overall, Michael Oren's book is better.
October 7, 2017
Many of the facts have been debunked by Israelis themselves, including military officers.
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