A necessary if slightly dated book

Antisemitism is rearing it's head in the UK again so I decided to start educating myself a bit & this was one of the first books I picked up. I'd like to see an updated version but the arguments hold up well.

I'd say it's worth picking up even if you are an avid detractor of Israel as it's invaluable to hear the counter argument made well, the only thing that lets this book down slightly is the narrator (probably just a personal preference on my part) but other than that it's outstanding & very worthy of your time.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

The case for Israel

A thoroughly well thought out and constructed book; which shows an excellent knowledge and presents a masterful delivery of the subject matter.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Recommended

A great inside into the dealings happening now around Israel. I would recommend listening closely till the end before drawing any conclusions. A real eye opener.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Robustly argued

Every important facet of the right of Israel to exist is successfully argued here. The author often plays devil’s advocate presenting many of the criticisms of Israel and gently dismantles them with logic and thorough research.

A very enjoyable read/listen. Highly recommended

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

2015 Version

Alan M. Dershowitz has written in courtroom style, a proposal for a jury.
He is very smart, I had to repeat a couple of sentences as so much information is packed in this excellent account.
Ok, I am not Jewish, or Muslim and have never been to Tel Aviv, but there is no need, given the enormous interest in this subject.
What I will add is that no Arab has compiled anything near the information Dershowitz has put forward.
Worth a listen.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Hard to rate

The book does what it sets out to do. Present the right of Israel to exist and defend its borders as peacefully as possible. Just like any other country. The book feels a tad pointless. All this is implied for all countries. Even Cuba, China, North Korea, and Iran. No matter how evil and destructive the countries are they have a right to defend their people. Even though it is pointless I have to say he did prove his case. So I guess I rate it 5 as it's full of history and good arguments. It's basically a history book told via arguments mostly aimed towards anti-Semitic statements from Muslim terrorist groups. Many deny the Holocaust or attack Jews in any country. Even the ones not supporting Israel.

Personally I don't really need arguments. I have made all these points myself already from reading news and history. There is nothing new for me here. But the obvious points are presented clearly. The book has dated a bit. But for anyone not super familer with the topic this is more than good enough as an overview.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Everything is good!!!

Solid case for Israel! Israel being treeted real unjust in the International arena. Just a very good book on the topic

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

An Interesting Listen, albeit somewhat biased

A good book and well worth the listen. it's very hard to get an unbiased book on the subject so have to pick the ones that are well written without falling into a one sided rhetoric. As can be assumed from the title is clearly seen from an Israel perspective. He claims to be a warts and all but apart from the occasional acknowledgement is mostly a justification of the rights and wrongs of Israel. He makes some very valid observations which give food for thought and warrant further investigation. Unfortunately he also gets overly defensive and at times descends in to a biased rhetoric which I found off-putting. Some of the arguements just don't stand up to close scrutiny when you examine the facts. It is important to also listen to the Perspectives from Paleatinians as well if you want to get a more accurate picture. It's clear that until both sides are willing to understand the others point of view and have empathy for it, there will never be peace. Alas this author only goes to show how far away from that reality the world is

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

interesting but flawed

I listened to this book to try and challenge my world view, it's been genuinely enlightened at times to hear the other side. however... the information cited regularly comes from bias sources, many events are totally ignored. most of his arguments devolve into whatabout'isms and he consistently states conjecture as "fact".

The book came out in 2003 so it hasnt aged well at all what with the recent conflict, or even the previous 20 years of clonflict. He spent the first 80% of the book claiming each allegation against Israel comes from a place of antisemitism, then when one of the allegations is that criticism of Israel gets labeled as antisemitic, he says that's false and doesn't happen. The mental gymnastics this book goes through will take you on a wild ride, I'd recommend it just as an experiment for yourself, but yeah. I'm glad I didn't spend a credit on it.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

A debate rather than an essay, for good and ill

The author presents some compelling counter-arguments to much of the criticisms of Israel, using both historical context and a good understanding and insight into legal and political workings of Israel. However, the book devolves when addressing certain criticisms into rhetoric that is essentially whataboutism; it offers a weak justifications and a barrage of tangential facts and topics. Overall though worth a listen for the parts that are cogent.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!