Cast a Giant Shadow: The Story of Mickey Marcus Who Died to Save Jerusalem

by Ted Berkman

Colonel David "Mickey" Marcus--after serving his country with distinction in World War II--responded to the appeal of a beleaguered country in the Middle East and became one of the truly great heroes of modern Israel, the only soldier interred at West Point who was killed while fighting under a foreign flag.

Genres: Israel, History, Nonfiction, Biography

322 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1962

Reviews

[Gregory Van Den Berg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unfortunately, I saw the movie before I read the book. The reason was I tried to get the book through the library but the only copy available at the time was in Yiddish. However, through the persistence of a local librarian, I was able to borrow the book through the New York State Library. Mickey Marcus was truly a hero. After graduating from West Point and did his tour of duty, reenlisted after the outbreak of WWII. Instead of accepting a position in the Pentagon, he volunteered to fight in the European theater. Even though he could have stayed at headquarters, he propelled himself into the front lines and parachuted into France during D-Day. After WWII, he returned to civilian life. While enjoying civilian life, he was approached by the new state of Israel to assist them in organizing an army. Many say, he was the primary reason the Israelis were able to win independence. I recommend this book whole heartedly. One doesn't read very often about a true hero. He sacrificed his life for duty and honor.

[Ranette · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book about the beginning of Israel and the turmoil of its' start. I stupidly had no idea of the opposition it faced and the support of the USA.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's not that this was the best-written book; at times I found it a little cheesy and the writing almost imaginative in a way that felt theatrical, but the story, oh, man, the story. It's worth all the stars.

I wonder how I've lived this long without knowing about Mickey Marcus, both as an American and an Israeli. How have I learned about Jewish heroes my whole life and not known the story of this American force of nature who is one of the main reasons Israel exists today?

I loved learning about this fascinating individual and would encourage others to do the same.

[Marvin Fender · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating story and an amazing person.

[Liam · Rating 3 out of 5]

So the story of how I came to read this book goes like this: At some point during the 1980s I had read a book about the Arab-Israeli wars (I don't remember which one), and saw a photograph of Moshe Dayan standing next to an aircraft saluting as the coffin of David "Mickey" Marcus was returned to the U.S. for burial. I don't recall whether it was just the photo caption, or if there was some information in the text as well, but I remember thinking that a retired U.S. Army officer commanding troops for Israel during the 1948 war sounded like an interesting story. A few years later, in 1991, I found a biography of Mickey Marcus, which I bought and read. Unfortunately, that particular edition was a much shorter abridged version, which I did not realise until a few years later, when I saw a copy of the legit First Edition at John K. King Books here in Detroit. That particular copy had been one of the first several hundred books printed, and was signed by Marcus' widow, Emma. I spent the next two decades looking at that book every time I climbed up to the fourth floor at King Books, and I thought about buying it many times, but I never quite made up my mind to spend the money. Today I finally bought it. Given the fact that $25.00 is worth considerably less now than in the late 1990s (not to mention the fact that a decent copy without the signature would cost roughly $15.00), I arguably got a pretty good deal...

[Katharine Holden · Rating 1 out of 5]

Purple prose. Endless passages telling rather than showing Marcus's achievements. "Emma's head came up proudly. So long as democracy lived, her husband would not be forgotten." I would like to read this story written by a good writer.

[Ben Kruskal · Rating 3 out of 5]

a very interesting story, told melodramatically and undoubtedly romanticized. undoubtedly a hagiography but quite an interesting figure

[Jim Doyle]

great! I am currently reading this work.