Product Description

An examination of the Palestine War of 1948 and its progression through two distinct stages: the guerrilla warfare between the Arab and Jewish communities of Mandatory Palestine, and the conventional inter-state war between the State of Israel and the invading Arab armies. It assesses the participants, their war aims, strategies and combat performance. Finally, it explores the reasons for Israel's success in the face of seemingly impossible odds and for the failure of the Arab nations to turn their military and numerical superiority into victory on the ground.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #151375 in Books
• Published on: 2002-08-14
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 96 pages

Review
The Palestine War has been by far the most important military encounter in the history of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Israel's survival and victory, coupled with the Palestinian dispersion and the creation of a lingering refugee problem, would redefine Middle Eastern political and military affairs for decades to come.

About the Author
Efraim Karsh is Professor and Head of the Mediterranean Studies Programme at King's College, University of London. He has held various academic posts at the Sorbonne, the London School of Economics, Columbia University, Helsinki University and Tel-Aviv University. Professor Karsh has published extensively on Middle Eastern affairs, Soviet foreign policy and European neutrality.

Customer Reviews

Informative
This book tells the story of the Israel war of independence in 1948 .Against all odds and attacked in all fronts by large Arab armies ,the small Israeli forces managed somehow to turn the tide and hold on to a territory which become the State of Israel.

The parts delaying with the Arab attacks to the isolated Kibbutz are very good but too short .

Illustrated with useful maps and with two interesting chapters to offer insight in 2 personal perspectives , one Arab and one Israeli , this book is easy to read and provides and introduction to the most important conflict fought in the middle East in the last century.

For anyone wanted to expand more I would recommend Chaim Hergod ( Arab Israeli wars ) or Larry Collins Oh Jerusalem.

Only average
I wasnt too impressed with the content of this book.Firstly it being only ninety pages long it seemed to be lacking substance,upon reading it becomes obvious that its written with a biased viewpoint.Not a good idea when something claims to be essential.On a positive note this book contains some quality photographs but still manages to appear somewhat schoolbooky!

I find the Arab-Israeli conflict intriguing and will continue to read up on it but this particular book is lacking and left me feeling a bit disappointed.

solid introduction
I read this for the purpose of getting some background to the on-going conflict, which is notoriously steeped in bias. To this extent, this introduction was very helpful. Photos and diagrams were interspersed at regular intervals and this helped considerably.

Having read no other opinion on this conflict, it would be unfair of me to say whether I feel this account is biased. I can however hint that the portrayal of this conflict in this book may not prove particularly satisfying reading within palestinian/arabic circles.

Besides outlining the relevant events in this war, the book finished with an interesting take on human nature; the willpower to survive. One of the ending conclusions was despite the inferior numbers, the israeli people were more united and perceived the war as an all out battle for survival. In contrast, the palestinean people are depicted as not willing to fight to the last man, preferring to vacate mixed settlements, concede territory and leave the combat to the six armies.

I might not ever know the truth of this matter, but this book which took a morning to read made me feel I have a grasp of the basics.