A People’s History of 1948

Yaël Mizrahi-Arnaud

Three recent studies enrich the historiography of the 1948 War and its aftermath, by moving away from state-centered policies and focusing on the lived experiences of ordinary individuals.

The Fraternity of Traitors

Matan Kaminer

A new book about Matzpen places the revolutionary Israeli group in a global context but fails to encompass their true legacy.

Intoxicating Zion

Haggai Ram

An excerpt from Haggai Ram's book about hashish in Mandatory Palestine and Israel.

Red Sea Spies

Raffi Berg

An excerpt from Raffi Berg's book about the true story of Mossad's fake diving resort in Sudan.

Preventing Peace

Abe Silberstein

Three new books argue that American policy has consistently failed the Palestinians and the wider cause of Middle Eastern rapprochement.

The Prime Ministers: My Version of Events

Akin Ajayi

A new biography of Yitzhak Rabin serves up a stirring story of service to the nation. But since this is settled fact, what else might it contribute to the bigger picture? Akin Ajayi reads between the lines to find out.