Abba Eban: An Autobiography

by Abba Eban

Book Overview

The autobiography of Abba Eban. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0394493028
• ISBN13: 9780394493022
• Release Date: January 1977
• Publisher: Random House (NY)
• Length: 628 Pages
• Weight: 2.40 lbs.

Customer Reviews

The first diplomat of Israel tells his story

Abba Eban was an enormously brilliant ,and thoughtful person. He was also the ardent champion of Israel in the international arena as it strove towards statehood and recognition. This book is a record of his life and struggle, and it is told with great insightfulness and a certain restrained humor of the kind he was known for. I found most moving the childhood story of his grandfather's educating him in Jewish learning, and how he orphaned from his father made his way by his own abilities as a student through Cambridge . His decision to forego what would have certainly been a great academic career and devote himself to the service of the Jewish people, marks the major decision of his life. The book becomes truly exciting when he tells the story of how Israel in the pre- state and early state period made its way forward. Eban's story and the story of Israel taken together make this work an especially interesting one. But there is an additional element. Eban was not only a first- rate diplomat he was in a sense as his later books would show a ' philospher of diplomacy' And there are numerous invaluable insights in this regard, as well as vivid portraits of many of the significant personalities Eban encounters on his way. A truly great autobiography.

Fascinating insights into the craft of diplomacy

I bought this book on a whim because it was very cheap, and then, although I wasn't very excited about it, I thought I should read it so as not to waste my money. I'm glad I did because it turned out to be one of the most fascinating books on the craft, one could even say the art, of diplomacy that I've ever read. Eban was at the center of most of the events that led to the creation of the state of Israel and participated in its early years as a Jewish state and homeland. Eban gives an exciting picture of those times. He shows that diplomacy is a game of give and take with high stakes, the negotiations of which depend as much on the personalities of the leaders and their diplomats as the political events themselves. After reading this book, I have a much greater appreciation for the courage of diplomats who have to know when to issue an ultimatum, when to stand firm, when to compromise, and when to leave the table altogether. The work of these individuals can literally make the difference between war and peace and affects the security of us all. The book is extremely well-written and reads almost like an adventure story. I recommend it to anyone who is interested in the history of Israel or the workings of government and diplomacy.

Abba Eban: An Autobiography ... and much much more.

Abba Eban is a fascinating person and his autobiography is the most enjoyable autobiography I've ever read. Although the book may seem rather long and Abba Eban may seem like not the most prominent 20th century figure, I can propose three reasons to read this book:First, this book is about much more than just the life of Abba Eban. Abba Eban embodies a significant portion of Israeli history. In his autobiography he relates this history in first person. The book is less abstractly intellectual than his book _My People: The Story of the Jews_. Instead, Eban's autobiography focusses largely on the personalities who helped create Israel as Mr. Eban knew them. This means that one of the most sweeping and dramatic events of the 20th century comes alive through the eyes of one of its central figures.Second, aside from being at the heart of the establishment and nurturing of Israeli statehood, Mr. Eban is one of this centuries foremost diplomats. Anyone with an interest in diplomacy or international relations will be thrilled with the inside view and personal analysis Mr. Eban gives. Eban discusses how he dealt with the down to earth Harry Truman, the volatile David Ben Gurion, the stubborn Golda Meir, and many more. Third, Abba Eban writes in an engaging and insightful manner. Eban is a great story teller, using stunning descriptive writing, clever analogies, and plenty of dry wit. This may sound like an excessively strong endorsement, but I think the point is that Mr. Eban's command of language makes the stories he relates, fascinating in their own right, all the more powerful.In conclusion, if you would enjoy a well written book with unique insights into the establishment and development of the State of Israel from the perspective of Israel's foremost statesman, then I believe you won't be dissapointed by Mr. Eban's splendid autobiography.