BOOKS & MORE: The history of the IDF

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have long been one of the most admired - and mythologized - combat forces in the world. But are they - have they ever been - all they claim to be? Were their remarkable victories, achieved against all odds, a double-edged sword for Israel? Martin van Creveld, one of the world's leading military historians and himself Israeli, combines sharp analysis with dramatic narratives, vivid portraits of soldiers and commanders, and enlightening discussions on combat tactics and covert operations to trace the history of the IDF from its beginnings in Palestine to the present day. The book goes beyond chronology to also address the political and ethical struggles that have shaped the IDF and the country it serves - struggles that are manifest in the tragic escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Often revisionist in stance, surprising in many of its conclusions, this book sheds new light on the struggle for peace in the Middle East. One of the best books about the IDF. SPARTANAT recommended reading.

"The Sword and The Olive: A Critical History of the Israeli Defense Force" by Martin van Creveld, published by Public Affairs, 2002, 447 pages, Euro 16.67 (Kindle 3.99)