The History of Israel

Israel's history stretches back thousands of years, but much of it reads like something out of a political thriller. From ancient tribal kingdoms and foreign occupations to a modern independence movement born out of catastrophe, the story of this small piece of land has had an outsized impact on world events. This book covers the full arc from the earliest biblical era settlements through Roman rule, centuries of diaspora, the rise of Zionism, and the founding of the modern state. It also addresses the conflicts and controversies that continue to define the region today. The ancient kingdoms of Israel and Judah and what archaeology tells us about them. Roman conquest, the destruction of the Second Temple, and the beginning of the Jewish diaspora. Centuries under Ottoman and British rule and how they set the stage for conflict. The Zionist movement, the Holocaust, and the founding of the state in 1948. The major wars, peace agreements, and unresolved tensions that shape the country today.