Plowshares into Swords: From Zionism to Israel

(Paperback)

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Description

In this authoritative text, Arno J. Mayer traces the thinkers, leaders and shifting geopolitical contexts that shaped the founding and onward development of the Israeli state. He recovers for posterity internal critics such as the philosopher Martin Buber who argued for peaceful coexistence with the Palestinian Arabs. A sense of limits is the better part of valour, Mayer insists. Plowshares into Swords explores Israelis indefinite deferral of the Arab Question, the strategic thinking behind its settlement building and border walls, and the endurance of Palestinian resistance.

Reviews

Sweeping and often illuminating -- Geoffrey Wheatcroft * New Statesman *
A seminal book - extremely challenging. The historical and political implications of the 'Mayer thesis' will be widely discussed in years to come - certainly not only by specialists -- Carlo Ginzburg * for The Persistence of the Old Regime *
As fresh, challenging and thought-provoking in its conceptualization as it is thoroughly researched and brilliantly, stylishly and above all sensitively written. A masterly study -- The Nation * for Why Did the Heavens Not Darken *
Impressively measured, frank and thoughtful -- John Dunn * Times Literary Supplement [for The Furies] *
In Plowshares Into Swords, Arno Mayer gives a sweeping and often illuminating overview of the story of Zionism. -- New Statesman * Geoffrey Wheatcroft *

Author Bio

Arno Mayer is Professor Emeritus of European History at Princeton University. His books include The Furies: Violence and Terror in the French and Russian Revolutions, The Persistence of the Old Regime: Europe to the Great War, and Why Did the Heavens Not Darken The 'Final Solution' in History.