This is the official biography of David
Ben-Gurion, considered as the best book about Israel’s Old Man.
Drawing on his
own close personal relationship and on previously unavailable firsthand sources
– including David Ben-Gurion's secret files – Michael Bar-Zohar, Israeli
scholar and official Ben-Gurion biographer, has written the definitive
biography of Israel's Founding father. Using recently declassified State
documents, as well as Ben-Gurion 's own archives, Bar-Zohar illuminates the
dramatic struggle of Israel
for survival. Ben-Gurion’s private diaries and intimate letters reveal a lonely
man who outlived his closest friends, his relationship with his wife and
children and the story of the other woman in his life. This compelling work
explains one of the most important world figures.
"It can
safely be said that no book at once so intimate and so scholarly will appear in
the future… the portrait of its subject is masterly." London
Spectator
"Ben-Gurion's
intimate role in the nation's birth and Israel's struggles into the sixties
generate an absorbing dual story of the country and its foremost contributors."
Booklist
"New
insight into the personality of one of Israel's Founding Fathers… the most
balanced and comprehensive portrait of the Israeli leader to appear in
English." Kirkus Reviews
"…a
fascinating, informative and unusual book. Dr. Bar-Zohar has dared to write
about a revered legend with scholarly objectivity." Houston Post
Ben Gurion's
Biography: As an historian, Michael Bar-Zohar is perhaps best known for his
official biography of David Ben-Gurion, the founder of the State of Israel. He
spent most of the years 1964-1978 writing Ben-Gurion's biography. This book was published in 14 languages, including
Arabic and Chinese. Bar-Zohar wrote a play on Ben-Gurion's youth, and produced
records of his speeches.
He conceived
the exhibit "Ben-Gurion" which was produced by the Tel-Aviv Museum
in 1976 and toured the world. He also wrote the screenplay for a full-length documentary
film, "Ben-Gurion remembers."
The principal
actor in this film was David Ben-Gurion himself, who told his life story in the
company of personal and political friends: Shimon Peres, Ariel Sharon, Golda
Meir, Itzhak Rabin, Moshe Dayan, Itzhak Navon, Zalman Shazar, Teddy Kollek,
Yigael Yadin, fellow pioneers from his youth and his girlfriend Rachel, with
whom he sailed to Jaffa
in 1906.
Soucre: magalbooks.com