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Netanyahu
Dr. Mike Evans is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and his book Netanyahu paints a compelling picture of one family’s struggle across four generations to promote the cause of Zionism and the establishment of a Jewish state in Palestine in the 19th century and continues with the family’s crucial role in promoting Zionism through the twentieth century, and their efforts to see that the State of Israel remains true to her founding principles.
492 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 15, 2019
2 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
Mike Evans
141 books15 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 13, 2021
I have mixed feelings about this book. It starts out as a story about a Russian Jewish family, its struggles in Russia dealing with persecution and pogroms, their emigration to Palestine at the turn of the century, subsequent development during Israel's founding and struggles, culminating in one of its members, Benjamin Netanayahu, becoming Prime Minister of Israel.
Part of the problem I have with this book is that it is a fictionalization and dramatization of real people and real events. But not only this --- unlike alternative histories or historical fiction, this story involves people who are still living today and still very much involved in current events today.
The author and Benjamin Netanayahu apparently know each other and have been good friends for decades. So there is a tendency to emphasize Netanayahu's best attributes while minimizing and playing down some of his negatives.
It does seem a little manipulative, especially since, if taken at face value, it benefits Benjamin Netanayahu, a polarizing figure within Israel, politically. Imagine if someone wrote a fictionalized story with a very positive spin portraying say, Bernie Sanders or Barack Obama, or, say, Donald Trump as a great man of destiny. Obviously, some might like that. Others not so much.
Having read 2 bios of Netanayahu last year --- and knowing that, more likely than not, the author of this likely collaborated with Netanayahu on this book, I think this book is useful in an unintended way. It may provide a rare insight into how Benjamin Netanayahu sees the events of his life ---- and how he would like us to see him and his family background.
If you cannot stand Bibi, then this book is definitely not for you. Personally, I did find it mildly entertaining.
Part of the problem I have with this book is that it is a fictionalization and dramatization of real people and real events. But not only this --- unlike alternative histories or historical fiction, this story involves people who are still living today and still very much involved in current events today.
The author and Benjamin Netanayahu apparently know each other and have been good friends for decades. So there is a tendency to emphasize Netanayahu's best attributes while minimizing and playing down some of his negatives.
It does seem a little manipulative, especially since, if taken at face value, it benefits Benjamin Netanayahu, a polarizing figure within Israel, politically. Imagine if someone wrote a fictionalized story with a very positive spin portraying say, Bernie Sanders or Barack Obama, or, say, Donald Trump as a great man of destiny. Obviously, some might like that. Others not so much.
Having read 2 bios of Netanayahu last year --- and knowing that, more likely than not, the author of this likely collaborated with Netanayahu on this book, I think this book is useful in an unintended way. It may provide a rare insight into how Benjamin Netanayahu sees the events of his life ---- and how he would like us to see him and his family background.
If you cannot stand Bibi, then this book is definitely not for you. Personally, I did find it mildly entertaining.
August 27, 2020
This is a work of historical and present-day fiction—based on a lot of facts—that I found quite intriguing. The story of the signet ring that has been passed down from generation to generation, placing Benjamin Netanyahu in the bloodline of King David actually exists! There were a great number of events that occurred in Bibi's life that were fascinating that led to him becoming the Prime Minister of Israel ... twice!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews