Warriors For Jerusalem: The Six Days That Changed the Middle East in 1967

by Donald Neff

Book by Neff, Donald

Genres: History

430 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1984

Reviews

[Bernard · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book reads like an instant history.

Another problem is that the solution of a separate peace turned out worse in the number of deaths but he would not have known that when he talked about it in 1984.

[Mzakaria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book covers one of the most consequential wars in the middle East in the last century. Donald Neff set himself a goal to write the history of this war as it is reflect from two main sources:
1. The papers of President Johnson
2. The UN archives

This approach puts the emphasis of the war from the American perspective. And it shows the deep influence the friends of Israel had on the US government during that time. This is not a secret for anyone following the conflict. But the fact that among the cabinet and the presidents closest friends and allies were extreme in their support to Israel leaves a question mark if the president was receiving guidance and counsel that prioritized American interests or Israeli interests.

Neff reflect on how this biased line for the American administration ended up empowering the extreme wing in the Israeli government. Which felt entitled to claim the land and think that the Arabs will settle with these military defeats. Unfortunately, around 2 decades after the war of 1967 (when the book was written) and even 40 years after that, Israel is still at the Grip of the fanatic interpretation of the Zionist dream. and peace is still far away in the region. After set back in Lebanon and Gaza. Israel expansionism has reached its peak. And now the fanaticism of the right wing is threatening the Israeli society itself.

This book is a great addition to the library of people interested in the middle east. It brings to light facts and interpretations not common in main stream media.

I felt some limitation in the book in terms of any historic research beyond a journalistic approach. I wish Donald worked with historians and even Military historians to shed more light on this conflict.

[Kate Irwin-smiler · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very US focused history. Some unpleasantly paternalistic language directed at Israel.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly a political tome about the 1967 war, few details of the actual war, except for the Liberty incident.