By Shapira Anita (Author)
Ben-Gurion, the award-winning historian and biographer, was "a man who did not tend to reveal his inner life." However, in the short biography she wrote about him, she focuses her interest in trying to expose Ben-Gurion the man, and also to insist on the characteristics of his leadership in fateful hours, and does not refrain from highlighting his shortcomings.
David Ben-Gurion's unique leadership, the book claims, reached its peak in the years 1942-1953. When the horrible dimensions of the Jewish tragedy began to become clear, the leader of the Yishuv was wise enough to foresee the political developments that would give rise to unique opportunities for the realization of the vision of Jewish communalism. He outlined ways to mobilize the people and strengthen the forces that would bring the enterprise from power to action. In those years, he did not shy away from making difficult decisions during testing hours.
Over the years, the image of David Ben-Gurion as one of the greatest leaders of the Jewish people in recent generations is getting clearer. Anita Shapira's clear and focused book presents the foundations for this assessment.
