Zionism: The Crucial Phase - Hardcover

Vital, David

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0198219326 ISBN 13: 9780198219323

Publisher: Clarendon Press, 1987

Synopsis

Zionism, as it emerged in the late 19th century, called for a grand effort to create an independent, self-governing Jewish nation. By publicly raising the flag of autonomy, it was the Zionists, ultimately, who accomplished this truly revolutionary change, transforming the structure of Jewry, its condition among the nations, and the play of conflicting religious and secular beliefs.
Completing the most comprehensive and thorough examination to date of the rise and consolidation of this remarkable movement, David Vital's Zionism: The Crucial Phase is the third and final addition to the critically acclaimed history of Zionism. The first volume in the series, The Origins of Zionism covered the years from 1881 to 1897, and was followed by Zionism: The Formative Years which continued the history through 1906--winning both the 1983 Kenneth B. Smilen/Present Tense Literary Award and the Jewish Chronicle/Wingate Award. The final volume considers the critical period on the eve of World War I, when Zionist leadership was faltering, the promise it had held out to the crushed and impoverished Jews of Europe had drastically diminished, and it appeared as if the movement was already in decline. Studying the sources and consequences of this decline and the dramatic and unexpected wartime recovery, Crucial Phase dispels the myths and legends surrounding British policy on Zionism under Lloyd George and Balfour and sheds light on the revolutionary nature of Zionism and its dedicated followers.

About this title

About the Author

David Vital is at Tel-Aviv University.

Review

"Completes what unquestionably has been a brilliant success."--American Historical Review

"[The] concluding--and pivotal--volume of his refreshing and superbly documented three-volume history of Zionism....What Vital has done in this volume is long overdue. He has rescued the history of Zionism from the parochial and lifted it into the world arena where it scored its major triumphs."--Jewish Chronicle

"Vital's trilogy is based on the most impressive array of archival sources to be found in any work on Zionist history. He is served by a superb command of the English language, and his style is an aesthetic pleasure....Vital's trilogy, and especially the third volume, ranks among the most important work done so far in Zionist historiography."--Studies in Zionism

"Every bit as good as the first two [volumes]....Vital [exhibits] the skill of an experienced diplomatic historian, the assiduousness of a scholar dissatisfied with any but the sources most immediate to the events, and the eloquence of a gifted writer."--Choice

"Makes important contributions to the politics of Jewish national development. It should appeal to a wide audience of serious readers."--Perspective

Edition details

• Publisher: Clarendon Press
• Publication date: 1987
• ISBN 10: 0198219326
• ISBN 13: 9780198219323
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 408