a monumental biography of Shimon Peres, one of the most influential politician of Israel, and one of the most controversial
among them.
His fingerprints are everywhere in Israel's history: from the first years of the new-born country, and the desperate struggle to achieve weapon and armory, which were so crucial for the very existence in the Israel, and the maintaining of its security;
through historical events such as the building of Israeli nuclear reactor in Dimona, the Lavon scandal, the Suez
operation of 1956, the courageous operation of rescuing Israeli hostages from Uganda (AKA "Antebe operation"), the development of Israeli military industry, bus no. 300 scandal, the peace process with Jordan and the Palestinians, the assassination of PM Itzchak Rabin, and numerous other events.
In each of them, Peres's character is exposed: unique abilities and his flaws, and his relationship with the
leaders of Israel's leaders and policy makers of foreign countries.
Who were the people that gave Shimon Peres ideological and political inspiration? How did he gain so much admiration, jealousy, and hatred? Which were his mistakes, and why did he make them? (according to this book, Peres is workaholic, ambitious, a dreamer, and in desperate seeking of appreciation)
Why did he contribute to the foundation of Israeli Settlements in Judea and Sameria, and after years viewed them as an obstacle?
How did "Mr. security" became the architect of peace? Why is Peres so appreciated overseas but not so in his homeland?
Moreover, the book gives us a glance of other politician's thoughts and deeds: Ben-Gurion, Moshe Dayan, De-Goll and King Husain, Golda Meir, Itzchak Rabin, Binyamin Netanyahu, and many others.
The number and diversity of the sources of the book creates a thorough and comprehensive portrait of this fascinating and complex man. Undoubtedly, this is a celebration for his fans, and an important historiography for those who are not among them.