A History of the Israeli Army, 1874 to the Present

Schiff's revised version of his 1974 history of the Israeli Army includes additional chapters on Israeli's military intelligence services, its war against terrorism and the 1982 foray into Lebanon. There are two principal themes here: the performance of the army in Israel's wars and the relationship between the military and the government. Schiff is unsparing in his account of the bitter controversy over the politicization of the army, starting with the so-called War of the Generals, in which the role of Ariel Sharon is brought into clear focus. The author also writes frankly about the rift caused in Israeli society by ""Operation Peace for Galilee'' in 1982 and the loss of the army's prestige that resulted from that invasion. Photos. B'nai B'rith Book Club alternate. February 11