Shield of David - The Story of Israel's Armed Forces

Weidenfeld & Nicolson Ltd, London, 1970. First Edition. Hardcover (Cloth backed boards). Very Good Condition/Very Good. Illustrator: photographs and Maps. Colour frontispiece. 200 b/w Illustrations with 16 pages of Colour. 272 pages, maps, indexed. In June 1967 the whole world asked itself how it could happen that the small besieged State of Israel, containing within its borders less than three million Jews and surrounded by nearly fifty million Arabs, managed to create, in twenty years, an army which military experts today agree is one of the best in the world. More particularly, the question might well be asked, `What suddenly endowed the Jewish people - traditionally peace-loving - with such remarkable military skill? What is the secret, if there is indeed a secret, of the prowess of Israeli soldiers, airmen and sailors?' This book, written by one of Israel's warriors-turned-statesmen, shows that this did not come about overnight. Yigal Allon traces the story of modern Jewish self-defense in the Land of Israel from Hashomer, to the Zion Mule Corps, and the Jewish Brigade through two world wars; to the setting up of the Haganah, the forerunner of the Israel Defense Forces and its striking arm, the Palmach of legendary fame; through the War of Independence, the Sinai Campaign, and Israel's overwhelming victory in the Six-Day War of June, 1967. The illustrations, many of them never published before, give a unique pictorial record of the development of this army, shown against the background of the country which it is dedicated to defend. Slight rubbing of the top edge of the dustjacket especially around the spine, and from a defunct Melbourne Jewish bookshop at the bottom of the front paste down. The book is otherwise clean and without damage. Size: 4to 9¾" - 12" tall. 272 pages. Please refer to accompanying picture (s). Illustrator: photographs and Maps. Quantity Available: 1. Shipped Weight: Under 1 kilo. Category: Military & Warfare; Philosophy; Israel; ISBN: 0297001337. ISBN/EAN: 9780297001331. Inventory No: 0261370. . 9780297001331