My Promised Land: The Triumph and Tragedy of Israel

This was a challenging book because it highlights many of Israel's difficult choices. At the same time I appreciated Shavit's criticism of both the left and the right. Ultimately, he delivers a message of hope while acknowledging the unique and difficult situation Israeli and Israelis are in. I read the book as part of my exploration of my new home's history and what it means to be Israeli and I am glad I did.

A good book that will stay with me. Little analysis of the Palestinians however -- the author assumes that they can never overcome the trauma of 1948 even while demonstrations how Israelis were able to overcome trauma.

Also, the last chapter badly needed an editor.

This was slow getting started but quickly became hard to put down. It dragged for me around the chapter on the club scene but picked up again thereafter.

I knew very little about Israeli history before this and was never terribly interested, but this author made it interesting and informative, and several things I've heard about for years on the news make considerably more sense now. I think he may have changed my views on one current international situation too - he's certainly given me food for thought.

The author interviews people on all sides of the various conflicts and is sympathetic with both Israelis and Palestinians. Well worth reading.

The author is, among other things, a columnist for Haaretz. This is a personal, wide-ranging, sociological history of Israel, told as a series of life stories of the author's friends and acquaintances. His view is unusually well balanced and insightful.