Yitzhak Rabin: Israel's Soldier Statesman

by Michael Kort

Traces the life of the late Israeli prime minister, from his early days fighting for Israeli independence, to the pivotal Six Day War of 1967, and finally through his political career and assassination in 1995

Genres: Biography

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[Ash · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first I thought it was too short from someone like Yitzhak Rabin. The whole time I was thinking about how much more one could write about his life and achievements. In hindsight, I don't actually still believe this to be so bad. It was rather straight to the point at all times. No bullshit.

My image of Yitzhak Rabin after reading this book is one of a man who is pragmatic, realistic, and above all determined to do what is best for his country. Though I do not know everything about all Israeli presidents yet, it seemed that he was more willing to engage in negotiations with the Palestinians compared to predecessors or later successors of presidency. He held a strong opinion on the PLO and Arafat, yet did not let this stand in the way of attempts to reach peace. I believe his ability to put history behind and look forward to future prospects of the Israeli-Palestinian area is something noteworthy and highly admirable.

The last few pages were quite disheartening. I knew he was assassinated before reading this book. Still it seemed like Israel's course of direction changed drastically after the assassination and Netanyahu's presence in Israel.

I must say the book itself is nothing special though. It's a good summary of Yitzhak Rabin's life and not too time consuming considering it's length. The author could have gone to much greater lengths to describe Rabin's life. Still, good.

[Brian Manville · Rating 3 out of 5]

No history of Israel and its people would dare omit the name and life of Yitzhak Rabin, who became his country's first native-born prime minister. Rabin (1922-1995) rose through the ranks, beginning as a commando in the Palmach and was chief of operations during their 1948 War of Independence. He later became leader of the Israeli Defense Forces and ambassador to the United States before succeeding Golda Meir as prime minister in 1974.

Michael Kort's young adult biography of the former prime minister runs through his life story in less than 170 pages, but nevertheless manages to cover the important information in Rabin's life to give the reader a good thumbnail sketch of the man and leaves the reader with enough for them to go into greater depth.

The Rabin - Peres rivalry is heavily featured in the second half of the book and plays out as the Labor Party is out of power in favor of Menachem Begin's Likud party. Once Rabin wins re-election to prime minister in 1992, he shepherds the country through the ratification of the Oslo Accords in 1993. Sadly, his earnest support for the treaty cost him his life, as he was assassinated in 1995.

Kort's story shows Rabin as an extraordinary man, one of principles and doubts. Many of Israel's first generation had to be like this for the nation to avoid becoming stillborn.

BOTTOM LINE: Great starter book for learning about Mr. Rabin and Israeli history.

[Paul]

Yitzhak Rabin was the first-born son of immigrants to Israel. While it seemed his talents were in farming on a kibbutz, he ended up in a military career and then a politician. The book weaves together both Rabin's history and that of the formation of Israel as a nation. Rabin fought with distinction, first in the Hagana, then in the Palmach, then after Israel's independence in 1948, he fought in the war as Israel struggled to survive against its Arab neighbors determined to annihilate it. Rabin moved up rapidly, became a general, and chief of staff of the IDF. After retiring, he became the ambassador to the US, then entered Israeli politics as a candidate from the Labor Party.

Rabin's parents were socialists, and stayed socialists after they immigrated to Israel, and imparted their socialist ideals to their children. It was interesting, after Rabin's effective military and diplomatic careers, that he returned to Israeli politics as a socialist.