1948: A History of the First Arab-Israeli War

Zivan reviewed 1948: A History of the First Arab-Israeli War by Benny Morris

Review of '1948: A History of the First Arab-Israeli War' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

This is one of the more balanced accounts of the first Arab Israeli war you'll find.

Morris may be an Israeli but he is very critical of Israel.

Morris is the Historian that wrote [b:The Birth of the Palestinian Refugee Problem Revisited|514980|The Birth of the Palestinian Refugee Problem Revisited (Cambridge Middle East Studies)|Benny Morris|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1175447396s/514980.jpg|1168307], exposing Israels part in the creation of the Palestinian refugee problem.

Since the Second Intifada of 2000, Morris seems to have turned his attention to exposing aspects of Palestinian and Arab responsibility for their plight.

This culminates in a fairly balanced work on a hot subject that is usually full of slanted views and propaganda.

markm reviewed 1948: A History of the First Arab-Israeli War by Benny Morris

Review of '1948: A History of the First Arab-Israeli War' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Very sad. Rings true.(21)

neilernst reviewed 1948: A History of the First Arab-Israeli War by Benny Morris

Review of '1948: A History of the First Arab-Israeli War' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

The most interesting bit of this book was not the overly detailed accounts of specific battles, but rather why the Arab/Muslim world reacted so strongly (e.g., refused to even consider a Jewish state). The 'street' as Morris termed it, essentially forced the hands of what were, at the time, extremely weak leaders in Syria, Jordan, Egypt and Iraq. This book does not give a good idea of why this happened.

It is excellent at providing a detailed accounting of the specific events that have left us where we are today.

The other interesting thing I gleaned was the relatively tiny amount of fighting that was involved, and the weak armies participating. Most of the 'battles' wouldn't even have rated the name in the Second World War. And it is important to consider just how close the enemy was to the heart of Jewish Palestine. At times Egyptian soldiers were only …

The most interesting bit of this book was not the overly detailed accounts of specific battles, but rather why the Arab/Muslim world reacted so strongly (e.g., refused to even consider a Jewish state). The 'street' as Morris termed it, essentially forced the hands of what were, at the time, extremely weak leaders in Syria, Jordan, Egypt and Iraq. This book does not give a good idea of why this happened.

It is excellent at providing a detailed accounting of the specific events that have left us where we are today.

The other interesting thing I gleaned was the relatively tiny amount of fighting that was involved, and the weak armies participating. Most of the 'battles' wouldn't even have rated the name in the Second World War. And it is important to consider just how close the enemy was to the heart of Jewish Palestine. At times Egyptian soldiers were only 10 miles from Tel Aviv.

Shtakser

rated it

Jan. 22, 2016