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Ben Gurion. Żywot polityczny
Dawid Ben Gurion urodził się 16 października 1886 roku w Płońsku jako Dawid Grün. Umarł 1 grudnia 1973 w Ramat Gan otoczony sławą jednego z najważniejszych izraelskich polityków. Wierzył w wyjątkowość narodu żydowskiego i jego prawo do posiadania własnego państwa. Był jednym z młodych pionierów z drugiej alii, zaczynał od zbierania pomarańczy i prostych prac pasterskich, a po latach został pierwszym szefem rządu. Był wizjonerem i pragmatykiem zanurzonym w żydowskiej historii i tradycji, a przy tym patrzącym w przyszłość i wyzbytym sentymentów. Stał się symbolem energii, która stworzyła państwo Izrael, i przywódcą, jakiego potrzebował kraj walczący o swoje istnienie. Dla Szimona Peresa, prezydenta Izraela i laureata Pokojowej Nagrody Nobla, a także dla wielu innych Izraelczyków Dawid Ben Gurion był postacią z legendy, ojcem założycielem ich państwa, współczesnym prorokiem, a jednocześnie człowiekiem z krwi i kości, który własnym trudem, uporem i wiarą zapisał się na kartach historii.
Książka łączy osobiste wspomnienia z opowieścią o wielkiej polityce i wydarzeniach, które zmieniły świat. Dla Peresa to dialog z samym sobą i przeszłością, który David Landau, dziennikarz i były redaktor naczelny „Haarec”, podsycał wnikliwymi pytaniami na temat Bena Guriona i jego dziedzictwa.
Książka łączy osobiste wspomnienia z opowieścią o wielkiej polityce i wydarzeniach, które zmieniły świat. Dla Peresa to dialog z samym sobą i przeszłością, który David Landau, dziennikarz i były redaktor naczelny „Haarec”, podsycał wnikliwymi pytaniami na temat Bena Guriona i jego dziedzictwa.
248 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
January 11, 2020
Bardzo interesujaca ksiazka, w miare dobrze sie czytalo. Jedyne dwie rzeczy, do ktorych troche sie przyczepie to gloryfikacja Ben Guriona przez Shimona Peresa - momentami ciezko bylo czytac w kolko to samo o tym jakim geniuszem byl zdaniem autora. Obszerny fragment, gdzie Peres chwalil sie swoimi wplywami u Ben Guriona jednoczesnie podkreslajac, ze to wcale nie jest popisywanie sie, ze on po prostu docenia swojego przelozonego. Nieco malo wiarygodnie to sformulowal, by w to uwierzyc. Druga rzecz to dla mnie kompletnie nie zrozumialy fakt umieszczenia Davida Landau jako wspolautora i wymienienie go nawet na okladce. To wcale nie jest wywiad-rzeka. Ksiazka jest pisana z perspektywy Peresa, a te rozmowy z Landau pojawiaja sie bardzo rzadko, sa krotkie i wlasciwie niczego nie wnosza, powtarzaja troche tresc rozdzialu i sa slabo napisane (lub zle przetlumaczone, ciezko powiedziec). Troche mialxm dylemat, czy dac trzy gwiazdki, czy dwie, ale poprzestalo na dwoch, bo wad nieco sporo, a takze wydaje mi sie, ze poza pewnymi informacjami rzecz jasna, sam fakt przeczytania tej ksiazki nie zostanie w mojej glowie zbyt dlugo.
April 14, 2021
As a biography of David Ben-Gurion, this is not the best read - it has large gaps in various parts of his life and in later parts almost completely diverts from what actually happened to Ben-Gurion towards the general development in politics of the young State of Israel.
But that is not the point of the book, as it is more of a narrative of a protege and confidant of Ben-Gurion (and later immensely interesting and successful statesman in his own right) about his former mentor and leader. In some passages, the book focuses on Peres' own life, that is, as much as his legacy, intertwined with Ben-Gurion - this naturally prevents any critical evaluation of Ben-Gurion by Peres (except one short passage in the middle of the book, where Peres nevertheless holds his ground).
The core idea of Peres' narrative is that the uniqueness of Ben-Gurion among the Zionist leaders before him and within his generation lies in his decisiveness. My most favourite quote from the book was a passage where, before the War of Independence, Ben-Gurion talks to young Peres;
"'You know, Trotsky was no statesman'.(..)
'Why is that?'
'Because of his concept of no war-no peace. (..) That's not statesmanship. That's some sort of Jewish invention. A statesman must decide, one way or the other; to go for peace and pay the price, or to make war, knowing what the risks and dangers are. Lenin was Trotsky's inferior in terms of intellect, but he became the leader of Russia because he was decisive.'"
This is the core idea that Peres wants the readers to know about Ben-Gurion; despite all the politics in the 1950s and 60s (Lavon affair and so on), it was Ben-Gurion's decisiveness, pragmatism and grounding in Jewish tradition, before and during the war that allowed the creation of the State of Israel, through acceptation of the Partition plan and leading young state in its first war.
As long as the reader accepts the limitations and objectives set out by the name of the author, it is an immensely interesting read - a half-biography, half-memoir, venerating a man who during his whole life lived his beliefs (and particularly the singular idea of the need for a Jewish state), from growing up in a forgettable Diaspora village in Poland, through leading the small agricultural and workers' communities in the Mandate, ultimately managed to defy all the odds - creating a state and putting himself next to the greatest statesmen of the twentieth century.
But that is not the point of the book, as it is more of a narrative of a protege and confidant of Ben-Gurion (and later immensely interesting and successful statesman in his own right) about his former mentor and leader. In some passages, the book focuses on Peres' own life, that is, as much as his legacy, intertwined with Ben-Gurion - this naturally prevents any critical evaluation of Ben-Gurion by Peres (except one short passage in the middle of the book, where Peres nevertheless holds his ground).
The core idea of Peres' narrative is that the uniqueness of Ben-Gurion among the Zionist leaders before him and within his generation lies in his decisiveness. My most favourite quote from the book was a passage where, before the War of Independence, Ben-Gurion talks to young Peres;
"'You know, Trotsky was no statesman'.(..)
'Why is that?'
'Because of his concept of no war-no peace. (..) That's not statesmanship. That's some sort of Jewish invention. A statesman must decide, one way or the other; to go for peace and pay the price, or to make war, knowing what the risks and dangers are. Lenin was Trotsky's inferior in terms of intellect, but he became the leader of Russia because he was decisive.'"
This is the core idea that Peres wants the readers to know about Ben-Gurion; despite all the politics in the 1950s and 60s (Lavon affair and so on), it was Ben-Gurion's decisiveness, pragmatism and grounding in Jewish tradition, before and during the war that allowed the creation of the State of Israel, through acceptation of the Partition plan and leading young state in its first war.
As long as the reader accepts the limitations and objectives set out by the name of the author, it is an immensely interesting read - a half-biography, half-memoir, venerating a man who during his whole life lived his beliefs (and particularly the singular idea of the need for a Jewish state), from growing up in a forgettable Diaspora village in Poland, through leading the small agricultural and workers' communities in the Mandate, ultimately managed to defy all the odds - creating a state and putting himself next to the greatest statesmen of the twentieth century.
September 25, 2022
This book is a very different kind of biography. It is made by someone who personally knew who they were talking about, rather than learning off primary sources. I gave it a 5 star review because of its uniqueness when reading. It feels like Peres is telling you about the life of his friend. Not like he is talking about some historical figure. the Q and A sections of the book really make you feel like you are David Landau, and talking to Peres.
Peres doesn't try to hide the fact that he is baised. Like all people, he has his own opionion on Ben Guirion. Peres tells stories of his and Ben Guirons life instead of using many hard facts. For example some of the few times he used facts was his birth, move to israel, and when the stories are connected to events. He tries to use it as little as possible. That makes it super fun to read, as it doesn't feel like a biography, but a story.
One of my favorite qoutes is "the whole world knows that David brought us our state, our independance." (Peres, 157) It really hits hard as a zionist Jew planning to move to Israel after high school. It makes you appericeate the fact Ben Guirion is a direct cause of you feeling safe amid highest levels of Anti-semitism since WW2. Ben Guorion is the reason why my birth was set in motion. Ben Guirion has impacted my life more than most, and seeing Peres (another Isreali Prime Minster) mention how its Ben Gurion that caused Isreal to exist. It made me realize all the things ive previusly mentioned in this paragraph.
So all in all, Amazing book. Peres gives a story of the life of Ben Guirion, not a biography. And very few people can do that. I would reccomend to anyone even remotely interested in government, politcs, judism, Zionism, or Israel.
Peres doesn't try to hide the fact that he is baised. Like all people, he has his own opionion on Ben Guirion. Peres tells stories of his and Ben Guirons life instead of using many hard facts. For example some of the few times he used facts was his birth, move to israel, and when the stories are connected to events. He tries to use it as little as possible. That makes it super fun to read, as it doesn't feel like a biography, but a story.
One of my favorite qoutes is "the whole world knows that David brought us our state, our independance." (Peres, 157) It really hits hard as a zionist Jew planning to move to Israel after high school. It makes you appericeate the fact Ben Guirion is a direct cause of you feeling safe amid highest levels of Anti-semitism since WW2. Ben Guorion is the reason why my birth was set in motion. Ben Guirion has impacted my life more than most, and seeing Peres (another Isreali Prime Minster) mention how its Ben Gurion that caused Isreal to exist. It made me realize all the things ive previusly mentioned in this paragraph.
So all in all, Amazing book. Peres gives a story of the life of Ben Guirion, not a biography. And very few people can do that. I would reccomend to anyone even remotely interested in government, politcs, judism, Zionism, or Israel.
March 19, 2017
An excellent book on Ben Gurion, it is partially a written biography on Ben Gurion, partially a Q and A between Peres and David Landau. Shimon Perea unique involvement lets this book have unique antedoctes though also leads to the possibility that Peres is self serving in describing his involvement. Fantastic, worthwhile read.
March 18, 2015
The book stocks to the subject of how this little man built a country. Just the right amount of background and interesting war stories. It's a story of pragmatism and tenacity.
January 5, 2016
נראה שהספר הזה יותר שבחים של שמעון פרס על עצמו מאשר על בן גוריון.
October 27, 2024
As of today there are twenty six reviews of this book. Almost all the reviews are spot on. Read through them and you will have a very accurate picture of this book.
I was especially pleased to be given a first hand account of many events from a person who was very much in the know. On the other hand a more accurate title of the book would have been "Ben Gurion and Me". Later parts in the book are basically "Me" but that doesn't detract from the value of the book.
I'm going to have to find a biography of the Mufti of Jerusalem or Yasser Arafat. It should be as honest as this book by someone who was at the side of the subject during important years of their life. Would such a book also be so moving? Would I understand why the Mufti sided with Hitler or why Arafat had to refuse a deal at Camp David and unleash the Second Intifada? There must be favorable books on Arafat and I'm tempted to search the Internet before finishing this review but for now I prefer to leave it as an open question.
Now, just rambling a bit. Begin and Shamir can both be seen as having been terrorists like Arafat. All three of them had a cause they believed in and saw that violence was justified. So how can I justify thinking that Begin was a great man and Arafat a villain? It's not just because of my personal support for a Jewish state. It's because beyond his acts of violence Begin made the hard decision to make peace with Sadat. On the other hand, Arafat didn't have the will to make a final settlement that would have saved his people so much grief. It's also that Begin always lived very modestly and Arafat misdirected money meant for his people into private Swiss accounts. I'm sure his biographer will explain but not hide Arafat's defects. And finally, who will be remembered as the Palestinian Ben Gurion or Nelson Mandela?
This is my third book in Jewish Encounters series. I like these books because they are brief, easy to read and cover a wide swath of Jewish history.
I was especially pleased to be given a first hand account of many events from a person who was very much in the know. On the other hand a more accurate title of the book would have been "Ben Gurion and Me". Later parts in the book are basically "Me" but that doesn't detract from the value of the book.
I'm going to have to find a biography of the Mufti of Jerusalem or Yasser Arafat. It should be as honest as this book by someone who was at the side of the subject during important years of their life. Would such a book also be so moving? Would I understand why the Mufti sided with Hitler or why Arafat had to refuse a deal at Camp David and unleash the Second Intifada? There must be favorable books on Arafat and I'm tempted to search the Internet before finishing this review but for now I prefer to leave it as an open question.
Now, just rambling a bit. Begin and Shamir can both be seen as having been terrorists like Arafat. All three of them had a cause they believed in and saw that violence was justified. So how can I justify thinking that Begin was a great man and Arafat a villain? It's not just because of my personal support for a Jewish state. It's because beyond his acts of violence Begin made the hard decision to make peace with Sadat. On the other hand, Arafat didn't have the will to make a final settlement that would have saved his people so much grief. It's also that Begin always lived very modestly and Arafat misdirected money meant for his people into private Swiss accounts. I'm sure his biographer will explain but not hide Arafat's defects. And finally, who will be remembered as the Palestinian Ben Gurion or Nelson Mandela?
This is my third book in Jewish Encounters series. I like these books because they are brief, easy to read and cover a wide swath of Jewish history.
May 13, 2017
An interesting overview and introduction into David Ben-Gurion's life. Although the authors don't claim to write a historical and unbiased account of Ben-Gurion's life, the heavy influence of Shimon Peres affects the credibility and authenticity of the first Israeli Prime Minister's portrayal. Peres for example mentions that BG had great respect for Weizmann, but that they disagreed on substantive issues. He doesn't however mention the incredible pettiness on behalf of BG in not leaving a space on the declaration of independence for Weizmann to sign on his return to Israel (apparently spaces were left for other important absent people to sign the document later on). He also seems to mention the several times BG had threatened to resign, without giving a slightly larger picture and interpretation of the pettiness this entailed. Peres does not shy away from making assessments of BG's character based on his own relationship with him, so why doesn't he do the same when there are negative sides of his personality that deserve to be expounded upon?
The interesting parts of this book, and the most significant contributions to the academic understanding of BG and his personality, are the personal stories and memories Peres shares with the reader. My favorite one relates to BG's lack of humor when told about a joke concerning him and Begin.
All in all this is a worthwhile, albeit very short and biased, introduction into one of the most important personas in the history of Israel and the modern Jewish history.
The interesting parts of this book, and the most significant contributions to the academic understanding of BG and his personality, are the personal stories and memories Peres shares with the reader. My favorite one relates to BG's lack of humor when told about a joke concerning him and Begin.
All in all this is a worthwhile, albeit very short and biased, introduction into one of the most important personas in the history of Israel and the modern Jewish history.
March 26, 2021
I had to keep reminding myself that this is a MEMOIR and not a scholarly biography not an auto-biography. As such it is in itself something of a prime source. It is recollections and embellishments of Shimon Peres' acquaintance with Ben-Gurion. He is unabashedly a Ben-Gurion "fanboy" and advocate and as such some of what is there must be seen in this light.
It is entertaining, candid, and at times critical - NOT of B-G, but rather of the cast of characters of that unbelievable generation of giants! To have been not just a prime observer and witness as well as an active participant in the events of the previous century in Israel and the European theater is humbling to say the least.
Having read this and the account of the first elections in Israel the same week as (as I recall) the 24th election (woe to us to have had 4 elections in 2 years), I saw now the roots and causes of a lot of the "issues" and "stumbling-blocks" that we are now still trying to deal with. Even the first Knesset - Mapam received 45 mandates and the discussions for building a coalition were initiated - igniting the patterns that we are tryin now to wrangle with and come out of.
The decisions made by B-G were momentous, not many in our generation, while being able to look back and criticize, would have had the stamina and fortitude to have arrived at the same conclusions nor been able to see them through.
It is entertaining, candid, and at times critical - NOT of B-G, but rather of the cast of characters of that unbelievable generation of giants! To have been not just a prime observer and witness as well as an active participant in the events of the previous century in Israel and the European theater is humbling to say the least.
Having read this and the account of the first elections in Israel the same week as (as I recall) the 24th election (woe to us to have had 4 elections in 2 years), I saw now the roots and causes of a lot of the "issues" and "stumbling-blocks" that we are now still trying to deal with. Even the first Knesset - Mapam received 45 mandates and the discussions for building a coalition were initiated - igniting the patterns that we are tryin now to wrangle with and come out of.
The decisions made by B-G were momentous, not many in our generation, while being able to look back and criticize, would have had the stamina and fortitude to have arrived at the same conclusions nor been able to see them through.
December 27, 2023
A valuable historical account of the beginning of the country of Israel.
David Ben-Gurion, primary founder of the State of Israel and the Prime Minister of Israel from1955-1963. The background pertaining to the beginning of the State of Israel and other countries involvement both in promotion and opposition can assist in building a picture of some of the historical background that is part of what is happening in this time.
On a personal note I have always been fascinated in the formation of the Stae of Israel and it’s leaders. Even as a young child of about 10 years of age I wrote to Ben-Gurion for his autograph and received a signed photo which I still have framed in my office to this day.
David Ben-Gurion, primary founder of the State of Israel and the Prime Minister of Israel from1955-1963. The background pertaining to the beginning of the State of Israel and other countries involvement both in promotion and opposition can assist in building a picture of some of the historical background that is part of what is happening in this time.
On a personal note I have always been fascinated in the formation of the Stae of Israel and it’s leaders. Even as a young child of about 10 years of age I wrote to Ben-Gurion for his autograph and received a signed photo which I still have framed in my office to this day.
June 22, 2020
The book kind of idolised Ben gurion then necessary. Being a admirer of David ben gurion was looking for more facts which were not so much in public domain and his mistakes. The author has tried to prove anything and everything done by david as right. It's a good book if the reader is interested in only one view of the personality but it's a disappointment for those who are looking for a book on human being and not a GOD figure .
September 25, 2019
Incredible book of the history of how Israel came to be and the man that gathered everyone to make it a reality.
Loved the dialogue between Shimon and David Landau and Simon's experiences and perspective of the great David Ben-Gurion.
Loved the dialogue between Shimon and David Landau and Simon's experiences and perspective of the great David Ben-Gurion.
April 23, 2018
Very interesting, but at times a little too centered on Peres instead of on Ben Gurion.
August 3, 2024
Good. Fascinating.
July 3, 2023
Audiobook
May 4, 2022
I was very pleasantly surprised with this book. Shimon Peres offers his take on the history leading to, and of, modern Israel, through the story of David Ben-Gurion, for whom he served in many capacities and roles over the years. It is not a comprehensive biography - rather it limits itself primarily to the political dimension of Ben-Gurions's career within Zionism and the birth and maturation of the State of Israel.
That said, it is very much about the man and his values and how these translated into action. Shimon Peres declares himself a loyal Ben-Gurionist so it isn't surprising that the portrait is a sympathetic one.
I found it to be very accessible and well-written. The structure is a little unusual. It is written as a straightforward narrative (sometimes in the first person, where their stories intersect) spiced with personal opinion, but occasionally (usually regarding something controversial) it switches to a dialogue between Peres and his interlocutor, David Landau. I found these sections especially interesting and revealing; generally Peres would make his argument and marshal his facts to make a point, but he also sometimes just states this is his take on it - end of story.
Definitely recommended.
That said, it is very much about the man and his values and how these translated into action. Shimon Peres declares himself a loyal Ben-Gurionist so it isn't surprising that the portrait is a sympathetic one.
I found it to be very accessible and well-written. The structure is a little unusual. It is written as a straightforward narrative (sometimes in the first person, where their stories intersect) spiced with personal opinion, but occasionally (usually regarding something controversial) it switches to a dialogue between Peres and his interlocutor, David Landau. I found these sections especially interesting and revealing; generally Peres would make his argument and marshal his facts to make a point, but he also sometimes just states this is his take on it - end of story.
Definitely recommended.
January 18, 2014
Peres provides a chronological and personal account of Ben-Gurion and is, thus, an important book. Biographies written by persons whose lives are deeply entwined with their subject fill a helpful niche in an overall picture, but I often find them unsatisfying unless I already know a great deal about the subject. This book contains information provided by Peres but is written by a professional writer. This shows in its clarity and orderliness but also because it lacks feeling.
I listened to this book and was very pleased to find it in audio form at my local library. I enjoyed hearing Peres's perceptions and learned from them.
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October 12, 2012Great insight not only into Ben Gurion into the establishment of the State of Israel.
I loved not only Ben Gurion's point of view, but hearing Perez's take on it, and his analysis from hindsight. It's especially relevant because Perez was there for most of it!
The book is a smooth, and surprisingly fast read.
I loved not only Ben Gurion's point of view, but hearing Perez's take on it, and his analysis from hindsight. It's especially relevant because Perez was there for most of it!
The book is a smooth, and surprisingly fast read.
January 14, 2012
I enjoyed the book. I hoped to learn more about Ben Gurion himself. Found the description of his relationship with others, particularly Shimon Perez interesting and this provided insight into the man
August 14, 2012
Interesting perspective on Ben Gurion's life from Peres' perspective. Not much new information on Ben Gurion, but it is more revealing about Peres and his political roots.
December 31, 2012
Interesting perspective on Ben Gurion but didn't really learn anything new.
August 24, 2013
Outstanding. Very well written, and a fascinating subject.
February 20, 2016
Very biased portrayal of the old man, nevertheless an interesting read.
September 4, 2015
Interesting perspective on Ben Gurion and Israel, but all from the vantage point of the author, so it lacks some of the context that a historian could bring.
June 24, 2016
Very interesting to see Peres staunchly defend Ben-Gurion against all criticism.
January 23, 2017
There are very few people that can teach us how to create a country. Ben-Gurion is one of them. Shimon Peres describes this historical personality with a great writer professionality and with a great friend heart.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews