The land of blood and honey

This book is a one-volume history of Israel and its people. From its Zionist beginnings at the end of the nineteenth century through the past sixty, tumultuous years, the state of Israel has been, as the author argues, "the greatest success story in the entire twentieth century." In this volume, he relates the improbable story of a nationless people who, given a hot and arid patch of land and coping with every imaginable obstacle, founded a country that is now the envy of surrounding states. While most studies on Israel focus on the political, this encompassing history weaves together the nation's economic, social, cultural and religious narratives while also offering diplomatic solutions to help Israel achieve peace. While deeply erudite on the myriad factors that have shaped the history of Israel, this book also offers an examination of the Israeli people themselves. The author considers their rich social, cultural, and religious traditions, as well as the dynamic tensions between the traditional and modern, Orthodox and secular, and even between the sexes.