Since its creation in 1948, the State of Israel has survived three major military confrontations with its Arab neighbors, and the lightning counterstrikes of its forces in the face of attacks and constant guerrilla harassment continue to guarantee the State's security. Yet at the turn of the century the Jewish community of Palestine could count for its defense on only a few groups of ill-armed watchmen, mostly farmers. General Allon, Deputy Prime Minister of Israel, was one of the architects of the modern citizens' army that evolved from these makeshift beginnings. In The Making of Israel's Army he traces each stage in the story, analyzing the thinking behind the army's make-up and methods of training - before and after statehood - the principles of its leadership, and (not uncritically) the causes, strategies, and aftermaths of the three wars and major campaigns. The first part of the book is devoted to the main story. The second comprises an anthology of authentic contemporary statements, documents, and first-hand accounts of battles and campaigns - selected by General Allon and introduced by him in each instance. These complement the main narrative, adding a further, creative dimension to the book as a whole. The result is a study which will prove as fascinating to the general reader as to the student of military history and Middle Eastern politics.

Since its creation in 1948, the State of Israel has survived three major military confrontations with its Arab neighbors, and the lightning counterstrikes of its forces in the face of attacks and constant guerrilla harassment continue to guarantee the State's security. Yet at the turn of the century the Jewish community of Palestine could count for its defense on only a few groups of ill-armed watchmen, mostly farmers. General Allon, Deputy Prime Minister of Israel, was one of the architects of the modern citizens' army that evolved from these makeshift beginnings. In The Making of Israel's Army he traces each stage in the story, analyzing the thinking behind the army's make-up and methods of training - before and after statehood - the principles of its leadership, and (not uncritically) the causes, strategies, and aftermaths of the three wars and major campaigns. The first part of the book is devoted to the main story. The second comprises an anthology of authentic contemporary statements, documents, and first-hand accounts of battles and campaigns - selected by General Allon and introduced by him in each instance. These complement the main narrative, adding a further, creative dimension to the book as a whole. The result is a study which will prove as fascinating to the general reader as to the student of military history and Middle Eastern politics.