The Left Coast's "San Francisco Chronicle" refers to this as "necessary reading." Sure, "necessary reading" for those who want to believe that Israel never existed prior to 1949, and for those who persist in believing in the myth of Palestine -- a myth that had been steadfastly and universally dismissed by Arabs as a Christian construct prior to their getting whipped in the 6 Day War.

1949 was a very compelling read and Mr. Segev's account is wonderfully done. I enjoyed this work immensely and learned a lot about the just who those first Israelis were and the adversity they had to overcome to create a state and society out of such an ethnically, religiously and politically diverse group of people. David Ben-Gurion is an amazing political figure and the more I learn the more I think he deserves to stand in the upper echelons of political figures.

What really amazes me is how Ben-Gurion was able to steer Israel through the extremely turbulent waters of war, immigration and state building and keep Israel intact as a democratic state. There were so many sides battling for dominance within this tiny, infant nation, between the secularists, religious, socialists, communists, criminals and terrorists, the singular most amazing incident is the lack of a civil war ever erupting. There were so many people pulling in different directions and then on top of that there were hundreds of thousands of new immigrants that it was a huge feat for this nation to remain together. I think that without the war and the ever looming possibility of destruction then there in all probability would have been a civil war.

This book helped to explode some myths of the creation of the state of Israel, and so many people have derided this work because it treats the subject honestly using the evidence from the Israeli archives and government. Those on who are pro-Israel (to a fault) feel they have to disparage this work, while those who are anti-Israel hold this book up to demonize the state, but the truth is that in war every nation commits excesses. Soldiers become different people and actions that would have been unthinkable become acceptable. The truth is that yes Israel ethnically cleansed areas under its control, and this was done with, at least, tacit approval of the government. It was the cynical (pragmatic?) belief that the Arabs could not or would not assimilate culturally or politically into the Israeli state, and that it was necessary to make sure that their numbers were very low within the new borders. It will never be known whether this decision was positive or negative for Israel. The fact is that Israel has never known sustained peace, but on the other hand there is still an Israeli state.

The cynicism that guided much of the Israeli immigration policy was a trying item. The mad, almost suicidal, rush to bring in Jewish immigrants regardless of the states ability to absorb these people was an almost disastrous policy. The way the Jews from Arab and African countries were treated is a source of shame for a people who had just experienced similar prejudices, but even here there was a duality in that the immigration policy was partly pragmatic also. The state was in constant peril and there was a need to build up the state's population for protection.

This is the thing about every state, politics and politician that they have to make these decisions that blur the lines between pragmatic realism and cynical nihilism. These decisions are not easy and they literally affect the lives of thousands of people. At the time the implications of these decisions are not readily apparent. In 1949 decisions were made that are still being felt today, whether they were the right decisions or not Israel and the rest of the world must acknowledge those choices and the implications that go along with them. Israel must make peace with its past before it will ever be able to achieve peace in the future. I would like to think this is pragmatic realism. This book is good start down that road. It is a necessary and important read.

Tom Segev gives an honest account of Israel's first days. One develops a clear understanding of the many challenges (including defense, absorption of new immigrants, and a decent standard of living for all) that faced Israelis and their government. After reading this book, one cannot but appreciate the tremendous contribution of Ben-Gurion's pragmatic leadership in ensuring Israel's survival during this difficult period and in shaping Israel's future. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to gain an insight into the harsh realities of nation building. After reading this book, they will have a deeper appreciation of the sacrifices all made to make Israel a reality in 1948-1949.

Perhaps Segev's finest work next to One Palestine, Complete, 1949 chronicles the often messy business of building the Jewish state. From the conflict between Arabs and Israelis, the tensions between native born Israelis and immigrants, the battles between religious and secular Jews, and the spotty, sometimes faulty business of developing an "Israeli" identity, Segev provides a handy view of topics seldom (until recently) treated by Israeli historians. He does what American historians have known for sometime: the official historical version of a nation's development is often quite at odds to what actually occurred; or, in the case of the new Israeli historians, what can now be read in (recently opened) Israeli government documents. Unless you come to this book with a hard and fast agenda, it will be well worth your time to read and absorb its fascinating thesis and historical details.

Perhaps Segev's finest work next to One Palestine, Complete, 1949 chronicles the often messy business of building the Jewish state. From the conflict between Arabs and Israelis, the tensions between native born Israelis and immigrants, the battles between religious and secular Jews, and the spotty, sometimes faulty business of developing an "Israeli" identity, Segev provides a handy view of topics seldom (until recently) treated by Israeli historians. He does what American historians have known for sometime: the official historical version of a nation's development is often quite at odds to what actually occurred; or, in the case of the new Israeli historians, what can now be read in (recently opened) Israeli government documents. Unless you come to this book with a hard and fast agenda, it will be well worth your time to read and absorb its fascinating thesis and historical details.

The book tarnishes the glow of the romantic fairy tales about Israel's being founded by heroic pioneers who made an empty desert bloom. One does not have to be a complete cynic to believe that people of Arab descent in the territory from which Israel was carved were uprooted and driven from their homes or that there were significant conflicts among those who arrived from the diaspora to settle in the Jewish homeland. Myths however "needed" for psychological comfort make it more difficult to deal with today's problems and to find solutions.

I have been searching for information around the 1949 magic carpet operation, since my parents were part of that operation. Tom Segev's book gives a very complete view of the events around the immigration, both politically and within Israel where they had the task of assimilating the new settlers. And there are tidbits in my parents letters home that sync up perfectly with what Tom is describing! I give kudos to Mr Segev for painting a realistic picture of the struggles of that time period, complete with all the warts! Tom Segev's book is far more comprehensive about 1949 events in Israel then any other reference I have found to date.

Mr. Segev has written yet another history of Israel. THis time the topic is Israels first year in existence. He touches on such topics as; secularism vs. religion, settling the territories, arab lands, immigration. His argument is simple. THe Jews, having defeated the Arab in the 48 war, treat their neighboors badly while at the same time creating a theocratic state and encouraging Jews(who according to him were living peacefully with their arab neighboors) to emigrate to Israel. This book is very informative and well written but its argument is wrong. For a less biased account I would recommend "From time immemorial". For an account of the war read 'O Jerusaleum'. Segev does no justice to the heroics of the early Jews who built a strong state in the face of enemies, but he does try and substantiate Arab claims that they were forced off their lands(after murdering thier Jewish neighboors of course). Be careful with this book it is biased.

Segev, noted suthor of 'One Palistine: complete' and 'the Seventh million' now writes 1949: the first israelis. He documents the early issues faced by the Jewish state. Relations with arabs were paramount. Settling the borders and making them peaceful. Mr. Segev wants us to beleive that the evil Jewish state forced Arabs from their homes and wouldnt let them return.
Lets first analyze what the Arabs did in the early days of the war of independence(1948). When they took the etzion Block they massacred all but 3 of the jews left alive. Every Jew was killed in the settlement. Butchered. This was the fate awaiting the 600,000 Jews living in Israel in 1948. SO when the Jews won the war the Arabs fled. The Palistinians had no respect for the land and they fled without firing a shot. And then, after cuasing chaos and murdering any Jew they could find, these mobs wanted to return to their homes. Well mr. Segev wishes they had. He secretly wishes the first israelis had been the last and he wishes they had been thrown into the sea, to swim back to europe, back to the ovens. This is a revisionist account. This book is full of antithapy towards the Jewish state and its founders like Ben Gurion, Golda, and Begin. If you hate Israel, or you want another point of view, or your one of these people that feels the Jews are always at fault and the nice, peaceful, palistinians deserve ALL the land back, then read Mr. Segev because his books do contain good information. But please pick up a copy of "From Time Immemorial' to balance your accounts of this period.

Is hard to believe Tom Segev is from Israel....he had no compassion for his people and how can he live in The Holy Land?....according to him, jewish people are thieves, croocks and dishonest...I tottally disagree with his points of view...does he know what arab people have done for the jewish people?....could've been a good book...I did not enjoy it...

If you thought that the Israelis could settle into their newly-won homeland after defeating the Arab armies in the War of Independence, you are mistaken. A well-written narrative of Israel's early years that provides insight into Israel's unique national persona. A must-read for anyone fascinated by Israel and its people.