A Young Person's History of Israel

First written in 1985 and republished in 1994, this book describes in genuine historical terms the history of Israel, well enough so that youngsters can grasp it, and better (as others have noted) than many history books for grown-ups. Twenty chapters and 172 pages include not only the pre-Israel history of the land, but even its prehistoric formation in geological time. There is the obligatory explanation (brief) of biblical history as well as that of all subsequent conquests, including the 7th century Muslim conquest of the land. As the book explains, lands can die, and under its successive conquerors, Israel died: the plants and animals perished, and the land became a barren one, of desert and swamp. The Jewish people, however, rebuilt and reseeded the land, and made it bloom. Despite all that, the Jewish people face an unrelenting propaganda war, which this book helps to counter. --Alyssa A. Lappen

This little book for young people provides a much better history of Israel than quite a few misleading books for adults. Although it is a short book, it has room for some excellent pictures and maps. After a brief history of ancient Israel, it pinpoints the start of modern Zionism with the assassination of the Russian Czar Alexander II in 1881. The bulk of the book traces the history of Zionism from then until the founding of the state of Israel in 1948 and its victory in its War of Independence. The book concludes with a short description of Modern Israel and its more recent history. To the book's credit, it explains that Israel now faces a propaganda war from the Arabs, including oft-repeated Big Lies to the effect that Zionism is a form of racism and that Israel has deprived Arabs of their rights. Future authors of histories of Israel ought to read this book and try to at least do as well!

Now in an fully updated and expanded second edition, A Young Person's History Of Israel by David Bamberger is an ideal introduction for young readers as to why the state of Israel came about as well as why it, among all other nations, is so very special. This superbly written and organized history begins with describing the land the people of the old Palestine that existed for hundreds of years under Muslim rule. The next section is devoted to describing the origins of early Zionism that were to lay the groundwork for the return of the Jews to the land of Israel. The third section recounts the turbulent creation of an independent state of Israel. Section four is dedicated to the fight to build a viable state amidst hostile nations. The fifth and final section is devoted to describing the democratic state of Israel as it exists today. Profusely illustrated with black-and-white historical photos throughout, A Young Person's History Of Israel is a welcome and highly recommended addition to any personal, family, school, or community library collection.