The Israel Test

by George Gilder

Israel is the crucial battlefield for Capitalism and Freedom in our time. George Gilder's global best-seller Wealth and Poverty made the moral case for capitalism. Now Gilder makes the case for Israel, portraying a conflict of barbarism and envy against civilization and creativity. Gilder reveals Israel as a leader of human civilization, technological progress, and scientific advance. Tiny Israel stands behind only the United States in its contributions to the hi-tech economy. Israel has become the world's paramount example of the blessings of freedom. Hatred of Israel, like anti-Semitism through history, arises from resentment of Jewish success. Rooted in a Marxist zero-sum-game theory of economics, this vision has fueled the anti-Semitic rantings of Hitler, Arafat, Osama, and history's other notorious haters. Faced with a contest between murderous regimes sustained by envy and Nazi ideology, and a free, prosperous, and capitalist, Israel—whose side are you on?

Genres: Israel, Economics, Politics, History, Nonfiction, Business, World History

296 pages, Hardcover

First published July 18, 2009

Reviews

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great, thought-provoking book about the history of the Jewish people through time and focusing on how they built a nation surrounded by people who would like to take the land from them and destroy them as a nation and a people. The perspective is somewhat one-sided but a lot of interesting back stories are contained within the pages that made it a fascinating read for me. The author, a non-Jew, provides an in-depth observation and analysis of the current Arab-Israeli relationship and recent conflicts. He also offers insight about whether or how the conflicts can ever be resolved in a peaceful manner. Great read for anyone who wants to see another perspective on middle east conflict causesand possible solutions.

[Andy Oram · Rating 1 out of 5]

Retells the familiar heroic Israel-ueber-alles story with just a
couple creative twists. I don't mind free market extremists offering
their viewpoint--they contain some nuggets to pay attention to--but
there's a total whitewash of the Israeli government's ethnic cleansing
policy and a lot of gratuitous nastiness. Really, Gilder did not need
to bolster his thesis by dismissing the Sabra and Shatila massacre,
for instance. I do appreciate his messages about the importance of
promoting finance capital, the value of grabbing onto successful
businesses, and some other points, but the history is too slanted and
selective to be worth discussion, and it is entirely a book without
compassion.

[Paul Bard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was completely taken by surprise by this book.

I IMAGINED it would be a defense for Israel. Instead, I discovered this book is a defense of SUCCESS ITSELF.

So this is a pretty exciting book, because it lays bare the roots of success, excellence, health, wealth and prosperity for a society.

I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who wants to prosper; to anyone who wants to understand the psychology of the creation of poverty; and to anyone who wants to learn the shocking truth about successful societies: the truth that, successful people are hated at every turn by those who want to keep humans in poverty for the sake of power.

[Dave Minor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked Gilder after reading Sexual Suicide in the early nineties. Before you think about throwing Israel under the bus read this. Israel is good for the region, industrious, remarkably talented, and the kind of people who increase the value of the neighborhood. Gilder discovers the side of the Palestinian/Israel conflict that is usually overlooked by the critics. Palestine stands to benefit and has benefitted in every way by a peaceful coexistence with the Jewish state.

[Петър Стойков · Rating 5 out of 5]

Темата "Израел" е сложна и нажежава политически, религиозни и морални страсти винаги, когато бива засегната. Светът се разделя на две спрямо Израел и за автора отношението към Израел и евреите като цяло е показател за дълбокото разделение във вижданията за света на тези две различни групи хора (и държави).

Именно това показва "Тестът "Израел"": от коя страна на барикадата стои всеки от нас. Защото това разделение е наистина барикада, ако погледнем картата на света съобразно признаването на Израел/Палестина. Разделението между държавите е очевидно и рязко. От едната страна са модерните, развитите държави, демократични и признаващи и спазващи човешките права и пазарната икономика. От другата са диктаторски/теократични дупки, от които даже собственото им население масово бяга.

Определено отявлен и ентусиазиран поддръжник на идеята на еврейската държава и нейните ценности, Джордж Гилдер описва какви са идеите и практиките, на които се дължи икономическият, социален и научен успех на евреите през човешката история, как те са пренесени при създаването на Израел и как отношението към тези идеи и практики (и съответно към Израел, който според автора ги олицетворява) разделя света и човечеството като пропаст.

Яростен защитник на правото на Израел на самоопределение и самозащита с всички налични средства, Гилдер дава и защитава изключително интересни идеи, свързани с теория на игрите (game theory) относно външната политика на Израел спрямо враждебно настроените си съседи, еволюционните предимства на религиозната вяра, довели до развитието и у човека (което е приятно противопоставяне на теорията на Хаидт за груповата й еволюция, с която пък Докинс не е съгласен) и благоприятните последствия за целия регион на Близкия Изток от несъмнената икономическа доминация на Израел в случай на постигане на траен мир там.

Книгата е определено едностранчива, но засяга много интересни идеи, дава много интересни исторически и икономически факти за Израел (особено ако не сте чели Нацията новатор), и ако по една или друга причина стоиш от другата страна на "Тестът "Израел"" може да ти даде храна за размисъл. Защото книгата не защитава Израел - тя защитава самата идея за успех, наука, човешки права, пазарна икономика и демократично управление.

[Andrew]

For a relatively short book, Gilder sure manages to cram a lot of ideas in it. Jewish contributions to twentieth century science, particularly the work of the brilliant John von Neumann, algorithms, game theory, theology, economics, and Israeli high tech achievements - it’s all here. Throughout it all, Gilder poses this question: Where do you stand on Israel? This isn’t merely a poll on the current conflict with the Palestinians, although that’s certainly a significant part of it. Gilder poses the question as a choice between those who opt for reason, freedom, capitalism, and the celebration of excellence, as opposed to those who are proponents of “the philosophy of envy and the creed of greed”, as Churchill so eloquently expressed it.



The book opens and finishes strongly, sagging slightly in the middle, where Gilder discusses current Israeli entrepeneurs. It’s interesting, but a lot of this ground has been covered in more detail by Dan Senor and Saul Singer in their recent book, “Start-Up Nation.” But at the end of the day, this doesn’t detract from Gilder’s central message. Israel has so much to offer the world, if only people are willing to shed their ideological blinkers. Sadly, though, it seems more and more people are determined to fail the Israel test, with devastating consequences for us all.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gilder’s thesis is that the conflict between Israel and its surrounding Arab neighbors is based primarily on economic factors (capitalist Israel v. socialist-leaning Palestine). In spite of disagreeing with the author’s thesis which seems to gloss over the more long-standing religious discord between Jews and Arabs, I found this book to be an excellent economic read. Parts 1 and 3 examined Gilder’s economic theories and analyzed the views of recent and current leaders in regards to the future of Israel, and these parts were more interesting than the somewhat tedious descriptions of technological achievements of Israelis in part 2.

[Amir · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read to understand how jealousy ideologies such as nazism, communism, and Islamo-fascism are driving much of the dialogue around Israel and Jews in general. Great description of how capitalism unleashed the creative forces of the israeli economy and turned into a global leader in innovation.

[Seth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A full-throated, unapologetic defense of Israel and a declaration that her rise (or fall) will be an indication of what's in store for the West at large.

Gilder presents a brief history of the Jews in the 20th century through the lense of their incredible contributions to mathematics, technology and entrepreneurship. He also discusses the main points of Jewish history in Israel, arguing that the geography only became desirable to Palestinians after Israel took the otherwise crusty desert and transformed it into a land of production and profit. He lays waste to the idea of the Palestinians as a people persecuted by the Jews; if they are indeed oppressed, it's by the very terrorist leaders who've led them and the surrounding Muslim nations who would use this people group as a tool to wield against Israel rather than assimilate them into their own (much more spacious) territories.

The thing I like about Gilder's writing is that it's so clear and unapologetic. He is very direct in his views on Israel, yet he doesn't strike a polemical or demagogic tone. Gilder recognizes that Israel isn't sinless in its performance on the world stage, but that when all things are considered, she is a very peaceful and profitable nation surrounded by murderous aggressors driven by an ideology of hate.

A few select quotes:

"History, however, favors the view that poverty springs chiefly from envy and hatred of excellence – from class-war Marxism, anti-Semitism, and kleptocratic madness. It stems from the belief that wealth inheres in things and material resources that can be seized and redistributed, rather than in human minds and creations that thrive only in peace and freedom. In particular, the immiseration of the Middle East stems from the covetous and crippling idea among Arabs that Israel’s wealth is not only the source of their humiliation but also the cause of their poverty and thus an appropriate target of their vengeance."

"The central error of Israel’s defenders is to accept the framing of the debate by its enemies, whose idea is that peace depends on some marginal but perpetually elusive improvement in Israel’s behavior.[...] No Israeli failure to comply with the dictates of the rulings handed down by the UN-run International Court of Justice in The Hague defending the free movement of suicide bombers, no Jewish falling short of the standards devised by UN human rights committees dominated by demented tyrants, can even begin to explain, let alone excuse, the celebrated kidnappings, beheadings, and bombings, and the frothy prophecies of extinction and calls to pogroms that reverberate daily through the streets and mosques of the Middle East with the regularity of the muezzin call to prayer."

"There is no natural resource or global asset or American ally anywhere in the Middle East – or likely in the world – that compares in value to the genius of the Israeli people."

[Brian Fiedler · Rating 5 out of 5]

George Gilder is not Jewish, genetically or otherwise. Though published in 2012, the book is timeless. From Senator Lieberman's preface: "Gilder argues convincingly that Israel's future is ultimately inseparable from the future of freedom and democracy everywhere." Gilder convinced me too. Israel is not dispensable by the United States.

Gilder unequivocally asserts that many Jews are brilliant, and that their culture and religion allows for the brilliance to be very fruitful, and for the world to benefit.

The book has a grand scope. I especially appreciated the biographical summaries of John von Neumann, Dov Frohman, Robert Aumann, Benjamin Netanyahu, and others. The final chapter is Gilder's own autobiography. His WASP life, as mine, was and is intertwined with Jews. For the better.

[David Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Israel and the Jews are hated not because of their faults but because of their virtue and success. Nazi ideology fuels the murderous regimes dedicated to Israel's destruction. Israel is free, prosperous and capitalist. The battle is between barbarism and civilization. "The Israel test is ultimately a test of our own will to triumph over enemies who hate us, as they hate Israel, for what is best within us." (Quoted from the back flap).

[Michael Connolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Austria and Hitler
Adolf Hitler envied the Jews of Vienna, because they were successful and he was not.
When Austrian businesses were subjected to Aryanization after the 1938 Anschluss, they lost most of their value, because the creative talent had fled abroad (or was escorted into concentration camps). Hitler’s belief that the Jews contributed nothing to the economy but trickery and acquisitive intelligence was thus proved wrong, because they clearly had contributed productive intelligence. The belief of Karl Marx that capital, factories and equipment were the means of production was also proved wrong, because the Nazis now had the capital, factories, and equipment, but they were no longer productive. What Marxists have failed to grasp is that the actual means of production is the mind of the entrepreneur.

Bravery Versus Cunning
In the minds of Hegel and Hitler, blood and soil were what was important, and the most important virtue was physical bravery. But in the new world of trade, victory often went to those without land or bravery, those who possessed only cunning. Traditionalists saw cunning as being cheating, and the Jews as being crooks. But the Jews did not win by tricking people, but rather by producing a better product or service at a cheaper price. The Jews were also seen as cowards, because they did not use violence. But how could the Jews use violence, when they were outnumbered, marginalized, and had no land to defend?

The High End of the Bell Curve
Gilder points out that the average Jew is not much brighter than the average gentile. What sets the Jews apart is that in the far, upper reaches of the bell curve, they are greatly over-represented.

The Holocaust
The Holocaust was more destructive than any other genocide, because of the tremendous loss of Jewish talent, which harmed not only the Jews, but the world at large.

Entrepreneurs and Capitalism
Gilder uses the Jews largely as proxies for entrepreneurs and capitalism. He is an advocate not mainly of monotheists who speak Hebrew, but rather of entrepreneurs, inventors, and the legal framework that allows them to retain the product of their labor: capitalism.

Humility
Gilder says that the people who are used to being the elite, such as his own group, the WASPs, should display humility, and allow rising ethnic groups to become the new elites. Besides the Jews, he also mentions the Gujaratis, Parsis, Kikuyu, Igbo, Lebanese, Armenians, and the overseas Chinese as being entrepreneurial ethnicities.

The Release of Soviet Jewry
Gilder attributes the recent explosion of Israeli entrepreneurship and technology largely to the many Russian, nominally Jewish, immigrants that Israel has absorbed from the Soviet Union.

Israel Turns Away from Socialism
Another reason for the turnaround in the Israeli economy is that when Bibi Netanyahu was the Israeli finance minister in the early 1990s, he lowered tax rates and privatized government-owned companies. Histadrut (General Federation of Labor in Israel) opposed the capitalist agenda, but Bibi was able to win with help from the George W. Bush administration.

Palestinian Economy
Gilder quotes statistics showing that the Palestinian economy in the West Bank improved greatly when control was transferred from Jordan to Israel following the Six-Day War in 1967. Conversely, when Yasser Arafat and the Palestinian Authority took over after the 1993 Oslo Accords, the Palestinian economy tanked.

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is not so much an homage to Israel as it is an homage to capitalism—of which Israel is a standout practitioner as a result of the central contributions of Jews to global science, technology, art, learning and prosperity. By simple statistics, a majority-Jewish nation will be a world leader in these fields. It is this demographic capacity for achievement which drives anti-Semitism, according to Gilder; Jews are even among the forefront of anti-Semites! The Israel test, then, asks whether the world can suppress envy and hatred in order to embrace that which drives the progress of mankind (achievement) and gauges the freedom and equality of opportunity in a country by the success of Jews there.

The author is obviously and unashamedly enthusiastic for Israel which I applaud for its rarity among academia, the literati and the intelligentsia but a less-unqualified approval approach would not go amiss in some cases. At one point while referencing national flaws, Gilder comments that “Israel has fewer flaws than perhaps any other nation”. Without knowing exactly what criteria he is using, this statement, on the face of it, is little different from the unqualified condemnations of Israel so frequently issued by that state’s detractors and whom the author castigates in turn for their blanket denunciations.

An interesting factoid I had not previously come across: Gilder demonstrates—rather convincingly, I think—that, by any economic measure, the West Bank and Gaza Strip were far better off between 1967 and 1992 when they were under Israeli administration/occupation and their economies were inextricably linked to Israel’s own. For those in Congress arguing to cut foreign aid as a means of balancing the domestic budget, see Gilder’s arguments on the evils of aid and assistance.

The last third of the book essentially is a paean to capitalism, Israel, the U.S.-Israel relationship and conservative realpolitik. If you object to any of these, just stop after the history of von Neumann.

I must also congratulate the author on his impressive and extensive vocabulary (afflatus? ochlocracy?) and tireless use of alliterative modifiers (“Socialist sophistries of its casuistically captious friends”, “physically fit and feral”).

[E · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title test is whether people will be able to accept the peace and prosperity that Israel brings to the world stage, or will they fall prey to antisemitism and propaganda? To call this book meandering would be an understatement. We get a discussion of mid-twentieth-century nuclear physics followed by a discussion of Israeli venture capital followed by a discussion of gains in modern nanotechnology followed a discussion of the folly of the 5-year "peace process" followed by a mini analysis of Benjamin Netanyahu followed by . . . well, you get the point. It's all interesting and mildly related, but you couldn't say this was a book with a strong thesis and a well-built argument. Nevertheless, it is interesting to see the contributions that Jews and Israelis have made over the years, and to consider how a modern Middle East without the state of Israel would be a very sad place indeed.

[James Willey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gilder explains the relationships between democracy and capitalism, between the Jews and Arabs; between wealth creation and "leveler egalitarianism" and "covetous fairness", and many other profound concepts. For a conservative, Republican, patriotic, tea-party American its great reading. Could be dangerous for liberal and progressives as it may convert you, if you or honest, but will probably enrage you.

[Jaegar · Rating 3 out of 5]

My biggest issue with this book was the author's choice of words. I have a reasonably well-rounded vocabulary, but the author was with great frequency using words that left me scrambling for a dictionary. While, I understand that some topics require technically specific words, this book was not that technical. Using more everyday language would have made the book more readable and enjoyable. The author did have some good and interesting information, but I found his reliance on a steady stream of words like egalitarianism, parochial, smarmy, efflorescent, recidivist, cadging, hegemony, arbitrageur, rapine, virulently, paragon, immiseration, bellicosity, kleptocratic, polyglot, Faustian, myrmidons, etc (those alone were selected from the first chapter) to be wearing. While I may have an approximate definition for many of those words, trying to figure out the author exact meaning ended up taking some dictionary usage.

[Artie Rubin · Rating 5 out of 5]

We all have different viewpoints about Israel. Many Jews like myself (as well as many Israelis) cringe at much of what Netanyahu does.

So it would be nice if non-Jews who cry, "Look what Israel is doing!" would instead say, "Look what Netanyahu and his associates are doing." After all, wouldn't we Americans rather have other nations stop saying, "Look what America is doing!" and instead say, "Look what Trump and his associates are doing."

Politics aside, the things coming out of Israel which benefit the world are mind-boggling. Whether it's medical solutions, environmental solutions, social solutions, tech solutions, etc., the world would be much poorer without Israel's contributions. (This is easy to research, if you'd like to prove that wrong.)

Which leads to the "Israel Test." Quite simply, that test is how you react to another's major achievements. Do you seek to tear that other down, or do you seek to emulate that other?

As Gilder points out, we're all susceptible to envy (myself very much included) when someone else is doing well. Unfortunately, many of the envious ones seek to destroy the object of their envy rather than learn from that object's success. (How many times have you heard people disparaging someone in the news who's a major success?)

So the Israel Test isn't just about Israel. It's about how we conduct our own lives in the face of other people's shinier lives. It's a great guide for telling us when we're on the right track, and when we're not.

[Darel Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extraordinary analysis of the accomplishments of one people group and the hatred from those around them, probably more importantly the uplifting or reviling of capitalism.

The Jews and capitalism are not as simple as good/bad but the envy and crappy attitudes that matastitize to something worse is noted. This book was written in the Obama years, what we’re witnessing today is prophetic to what he wrote.

Netanyahu is highlighted in the book for several things and today he’s fulfilling Gilders proposition - the Nazis of Hezbollah, Hamas, and Iranian leadership , and he doesn’t use the term lightly, have to be destroyed, which is ongoing.

Very good book.

[Free Warrior · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Must Read for Those Who Want to Understand the Future

George Gilder is a passionate and provocative writer. This book is perhaps the best of his many great ones. He presents the importance of the Israeli-Arab conflict in a way that directly connects to all of us. The message is deep, the ideas are well researched, and the stories are expertly crafted. I truly enjoyed and was moved by this book!

[Julie Bloom · Rating 5 out of 5]

How does a country treat it's most brilliant and innovative citizens? Nations that unleash and affirm the genius of their Jews thrive. Those that banish, stifle or oppress their Jews fail. This is an excellent and timely book in which Gilder asserts that antagonism towards Jews and anti-Semitism is largely a result of envy of superior Jewish accomplishments.

[Jeremy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful read on Jewish exceptionalism, its impact on Israel, and what it means for the rest of the world, especially the USA. The author presents a compelling case, one that most progressives, especially Jewish progressives, probably won't want to hear

[Robert Pres · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting study on progress and success. Feels a bit too staunch on his position early on however.

[Anita Deacon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dang. I think I need to read that again.

[April Strickland · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's an imperfect but very important book. Gilder hit the nail on the head with antisemitism. It is an effective barometer for evil in the world.

[Edward · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gilder is a man of strong opinions and he has little tolerance for those who disagree with his favorable opinions about Israel. For him;
“The central issue in international politics, dividing the world into two frfactious armies, is the tiny state of Israel. This central issue is not a global war of civilizations between the West and Islam, or a split between Arabs and Jews. These conflicts are real and salient, but they obscure the the deeper moral and ideological war. The real issue is betweent he rule of law and the rule of the leveler, between creative excellence and “fairness,” between admiration of achievement versus envy and resentment of it.”

The “Israel test” is the “America test.” Israel is seen as an outpost of freedom and democracy that is inseparable from freedom and democracy everywhere in the world. Gilder gives a history of the state of Israel, how it was phenomenally successful in reclaiming arid land, how it attracted talented and courageous people, how it survived militarily against overwhelming odds of surrounding Arab countries, how it has been a capitalistic success and achieved a unparalleled standard of living for its citizens. He contends that Israel wants peace in the area, and if only the Palestinians and Arabs would drop their absurd demands, they would now be sharing in the success story that is Israel.

Much of the resentmen and hatred against Israel is fueled, he contends, by the anti-Semitism that has existed for centuries (Gilder himself is not Jewish). To buttress his point, many of the greatest minds of the 20th century, particularly in scientific and mathematical research, have been Jewish. And there would be many more were it not for the Holocaust victims.

I wouldn’t argue with a lot of what Gilder says, but his tone is belligerent and hostile to anyone who raises questions about Israel and its policies. For example, Jewish writers such as Amos Oz, David Grossman, and A. B. Yehoshua who have expressed concerns about Israeli arrogance and failure to achieve peace are dismissed out of hand as victims of “politically blighted belletristic angst.” Obama is seen as “. . . a fervent protagonist of the economics of envy, a tireless and empathetic spokesman for Third World Misery and Muslim grievances, and a prokinent believer in the idea that among the greatest threats to the world is the impending increase of .02 percent in the accumulation of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.” In short a fool, and in that category of fools he would include the United Nations.

Another criticism of Obama is his desire to reduce nuclear weapons. In Gilder’s eyes, nuclear weapons have had a generally positive effect on the world. They’ve made “intellectual competition” possible, and in this world, presumably, Israel’s possession of nuclear weapons has led to a superior bargaining position in the world and has been instrumental in keeping the peace

You’re either on Gilder’s side, or you’re consigned to the intellectual rubbish bin. No nuances or subtleties for him.

[Paul Mullen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a book group discussion assignment. Gilder makes the most strident apology for the modern state of Israel that I have heard, and he argues for a less accommodating viewpoint toward Palestinian and Arab states which find their purpose in the destruction of Israel. He sees the "land for peace" ideas to be specious and argues convincingly that land that has been ceded has neither resulted in peace nor new benefit to those who acquired it.

This is a bit of a polemic. It argues with a stridency that will be unwelcome to the average Joe on the street. We're too sensible, in general, to listen to people who are so convinced of their point of view. That is in part what made the book interesting to read.

I sort of wanted to give it more stars for style and brevity and shock value, but I worried that my friends would interpret this as equating my respect for his approach to be also equating it with agreement to his conclusions.

Having worked with colleagues in Israel, I can confirm that assertions of productivity and values that Gilder makes. I have no first hand experience working with those who seek Israel's destruction. It would be fun to read a similarly reasoned polemic from the opposite perspective.

[Ben Galbraith · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Israel test revolves around a fact that is recognized by most people in some form, surreptitious or partial, but is rarely acknowledged openly or explored for its consequences: in any rivalry with intellectual dimensions, disproportionate numbers both of the challengers and of the winners will be Jewish."

Reading this book was an enlightening experience for me. I had not previously reflected much about Jews in general and I've been only partially informed about the politics surrounding modern Israel; this book filled in the gaps nicely and along the way taught me much about the role that Israel plays in modern technology and how game theory sheds light on our efforts as a society to achieve peace.

Thoroughly interesting.

[Nate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very enjoyable except for somewhere in the middle where it started to sound like an investor's newsletter. The beginning was a kind of libertarian defense of Israel which was simple and helpful. The end was very challenging as he critiques many notions for lasting peace (including free-trade notions) based on ideas from game theorist Robert Aumann. Aumann was my favorite character and there is a great exchange with him talking about how rationality is subjective. Make sure get you get to his part. It is the best

[Heather Denigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interested in everything, a mind capable of understanding everything, Gilder has an exceptionable gift for introducing introducing ideas in a way that elevates the reader rather than drenching him in fog. John von Neumann, Oppenheimer, Benjamin Netanyahu, Einstein, and a myriad of other fascinating characters people this book. Gilder merges philosophy and practicality, abstract idea and personality, history and politics and economics--for all that, this is a book about people. Fascinating, exciting, inspiring.

[Nathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gilder puts anti-Semitism into its proper historical framework, correctly ascertaining that today's jihad follows directly from Naziism; he also does a great job connecting capitalism with Jewish culture; and he makes a solid case in defense of Israel, America, and the free market.

His writing style is a bit rambling and repetitious -- minor problems. This was a good book.