Books : THE CONTROVERSY OF ZION: JEWISH NATIONALISM, THE JEWISH STATE, AND THE UNRESOLVED JEWISH DILEMMA
Binding: Hardcover
EAN: 9781856193443
Format: Import
ISBN: 1856193446
Label: Sinclair-Stevenson
Manufacturer: Sinclair-Stevenson
Number Of Pages: 320
Publication Date: 1996
Publisher: Sinclair-Stevenson
Sales Rank: 4957443
Studio: Sinclair-Stevenson
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Average Rating: 
Rating:  -
i would rather read the "controversy of Zion" written by Douglas Reed. This book is somewhat banned because it exposes the truth.
Geoffrey Wheatcroft in my opinion is pro-Zionist and his book serves only to soften the edges of zionism, an ideology found by many to be worst than apartheid.
Rating: -
"The Controversy of Zion" examines the polemics of modern political Zionism from its 19th century origins to the present day. Its conclusion is that the realization of the Zionist ideal may have accomplished many things, but did not solve its central problem: thr so-called Jewish Question.
For all its meticulous research and shrewd observations, it is remarkable that a basic premise is never questioned, namely whether there really is or ever was a Jewish Question. What becomes apparent is that the controversy of Zion was not caused by Zionism but rather by European nationalism. It was the European Problem that disenfranchised Jews in every European state and gave cause to a distinct and actionable Jewish nationalism on what had previously only been a religious hope.
The inescapable conclusion is thereby missed. It was not that Zionism was ever conceived as a perfect solution to a Jewish Question; rather it was an imperfect solution to an intolerable situation created by the European disease. It would be too much to expect it to make everyone happy.
And whereas the past controversy among Jews has little relevance to the future of Israel, European nationalism persists and can certainly be said to influence European attitudes toward the State of Israel and the Jewish people to this day.
Rating:  -
In the introduction to the book the author states that he is neither friend nor foe of Zionism, he merely wanted to study the concept of Zionism in order to better understand it. I appreciated very much that objectivity. He took a highly emotional topic and developed a balanced, readable history of an idea. Personally, he helped me understand a little better the anti-Zionism arguement.
Rating: -
Jewish history is full of different themes. Mr. Wheatcroft has covered one of the larger ones in recent history with a skill and balance that is rarely seen. The story of Zionism is a natural highly emotionally charged subject that usually is written on one side of the
political spectrum or the other. Wheatcroft, an observer from the outside, by way of a
secular Christian background, manages to keep the flow of factual information coming
without falling into the trap of bending the information to a particular point of view. And
he does this in an interesting and informal manner. The author, quite modestly states in the
preface. "All in all this is an amateur work, but in two senses: It is written by someone
who is not a professional authority, but as well in the primary definition of an amateur as
one who is fond of the subject." He may call himself an amateur, but if this is so, let it be
known that he certainly has done his research, as there were very few, if any, inaccuracies
in the book.
By Mr. Whaeatcroft's own admission there were certain omissions to the story. One in
particular was the parallel story of the Arab arguments which Mr. Wheatcroft explains this
way. "I hope I shall not be reproached with ignoring the impact of Zionism on the Arabs,
as though I were unaware how great it was; but that is not my theme." This is to say, that
although the Arab community was very much a part of the story of Zionism, the books
focus was rather the impact that Zionism had on the ... Read More
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