Churchill and Zionism: (A New Republic Book)

This book is the first to explore fully the role that Zionism played in the political thought of Winston Churchill. Michael Makovsky traces the development of Churchill's positions toward Zionism from the period leading up to the First World War through his final years as prime minister in the 1950s. Setting Churchill's attitudes toward Zionism within the context of his overall worldview as well as within the context of twentieth-century British diplomacy, Makovsky offers a unique contribution to our understanding of Churchill. Moving chronologically, the book looks at Churchill's career within the context of several major themes: his own worldview and political strategies, his understanding of British imperial interests, the moral impact of the Holocaust, his commitment to ideals of civilization, and his historical sentimentalism. While Churchill was largely sympathetic to the Jews and to the Zionist impulse, he was not without inconsistencies in his views and policies over the years. Makovsky's book illuminates key aspects of Middle Eastern history, Zionist history, British political, imperial, and diplomatic history, and further helps us understand one of the pivotal figures of the twentieth century.

About the Author :
Michael Makovsky has a Ph.D. in diplomatic history from Harvard and is Foreign Policy Director of the Bipartisan Policy Center, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank. He lives in Washington.

Review :
"A more nuanced understanding of Churchill's philo-Semitism and his pro-Zionism. . . . "Churchill's Promised Land" offers a necessary foil and more critical treatment of an intricate subject and a complex man." Sonja P./i>--Sonja P. Wentling "Journal of World History "" "Most studies of Churchill stress his tough-minded realism. Michael Makovsky s graceful and compact study of Churchill s sustained interest in Zionism brings to light a parallel strand of idealism evident through all the latter part of Churchill s career.His book adds greatly to our understanding of the man and also of Britain s stance in the Middle East from World War II down to the 1950s." Ernest May, Harvard University--Ernest May" "This is a rich and compelling book. Churchill's attitudes toward Zionism, often vacillating but ultimately resolute, provide a unique window into his worldview. Michael Makovsky has contributed substantively to our understanding of this unparalleled statesman, of the roots of the Israel/Palestine conflict, and of the origins of the modern Middle East." Michael B. Oren, author of "Power, Faith, and Fantasy: America in the Middle East: 1776 to the Present"--Michael B. Oren" "Today, when Western civilization is under severe attack and the legitimacy of national movements, such as Zionism, is being challenged by the new post-nationalist universalists, Michael Makovsky shows in dramatic and vivid detail why Churchill, one of the greatest statesman in centuries, consistently and stubbornly fought for both." Natan Sharansky, author of "The Case for Democracy"--Natan Sharansky" "Churchill''s Promised Land weaves a seamless web between diplomatic and intellectual history. Arresting, thoroughly documented, and at times startling, this will be the standard book on Churchills complex political and intellectual response to the Zionist project. This is the best kind of history: no axe to grind, guided by the sources, it is a work of genuine scholarship written by a discerning and curious historian."Fouad Ajami, author of The Foreigner''s Gift: The Americans, the Arabs, and the Iraqis in Iraq -- Fouad Ajami "This is a rich and compelling book. Churchill''s attitudes toward Zionism, often vacillating but ultimately resolute, provide a unique window into his worldview. Michael Makovsky has contributed substantively to our understanding of this unparalleled statesman, of the roots of the Israel/Palestine conflict, and of the origins of the modern Middle East."Michael B. Oren, author of Power, Faith, and Fantasy: America in the Middle East: 1776 to the Present -- Michael B. Oren "The book''s insights are fascinating and revealing."-Jewish Voice & Opinion "Churchill's Promised Land  weaves a seamless web between diplomatic and intellectual history.  Arresting, thoroughly documented,   and at times startling, this will be the standard  book on Churchill's complex political and intellectual response to the Zionist project.  This is the best kind of history: no axe to grind, guided by the sources, it is a  work of genuine scholarship written by a discerning and curious historian."-Fouad Ajami,   author of The Foreigner's Gift: The Americans, the Arabs, and the  Iraqis in Iraq "Churchill's Promised Land weaves a seamless web between diplomatic and intellectual history. Arresting, thoroughly documented, and at times startling, this will be the standard book on Churchill's complex political and intellectual response to the Zionist project."-Fouad Ajami, author of The Foreigner's Gift: The Americans, the Arabs, and the Iraqis in Iraq "Churchill and Zionism weaves a seamless web between diplomatic and intellectual history. Arresting, thoroughly documented, and at times startling, this will be the standard book on Churchill's complex political and intellectual response to the Zionist project."-Fouad Ajami, author of The Foreigner's Gift: The Americans, the Arabs, and the Iraqis in Iraq ""Churchill's Promised Land"weaves a seamless web between diplomatic and intellectual history.Arresting, thoroughly documented, and at times startling, this will be the standardbook on Churchill s complex political and intellectual response to the Zionist project.This is the best kind of history: no axe to grind, guided by the sources, it is awork of genuine scholarship written by a discerning and curious historian." Fouad Ajami, author of "The Foreigner's Gift: The Americans, the Arabs, and the Iraqis in Iraq " --Fouad Ajami" "A comprehensive, balanced, and inspired account of Churchill's emotional and political response to Zionism." Wm. Roger Louis, University of Texas at Austin and St. Antony's College, Oxford --Wm. Roger Louis" "An acutely observed account of the fascinating, evolving, and momentous relationship between Churchill and Zionism. Makovsky's perceptive conclusions about Churchill's romantic attachment to Zionism will intrigue and delight readers." Andrew Roberts, author of "A History of the English-Speaking Peoples Since 1900" --Andrew Roberts" "For an honest, but not hostile, explanation of Churchill's stance toward the Jewish world that also sheds much light on his outlook and his conduct as a politician, Michael Makovsky's account can hardly be bettered." David Cesarani, "Literary Review" (UK) --David Cesarani"Literary Review" (12/01/2007)" ""Churchill's Promised Land "weaves a seamless web between diplomatic and intellectual history. Arresting, thoroughly documented, and at times startling, this will be the standard book on Churchill's complex political and intellectual response to the Zionist project. This is the best kind of history: no axe to grind, guided by the sources, it is a work of genuine scholarship written by a discerning and curious historian."--Fouad Ajami, author of "The Foreigner's Gift: The Americans, the Arabs, and the Iraqis in Iraq " --Fouad Ajami ""Churchill''s Promised Land "weaves a seamless web between diplomatic and intellectual history. Arresting, thoroughly documented, and at times startling, this will be the standard book on Churchill's complex political and intellectual response to the Zionist project. This is the best kind of history: no axe to grind, guided by the sources, it is a work of genuine scholarship written by a discerning and curious historian."--Fouad Ajami, author of "The Foreigner''s Gift: The Americans, the Arabs, and the Iraqis in Iraq "