Author Description
On October 6, 1973—Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar—the Arab world launched a bold and ingeniously conceived surprise attack against Israel. After three days of intense, bloody combat, an unprepared Israel was fighting for survival, while the Arabs, with massive forces closing in on the Jewish heartland, were poised to redeem the honor lost in three previous wars.Based on declassified Israeli government documents and revealing interviews with soldiers, generals, and intelligence operatives on both sides of the conflict, The Eve of Destruction weaves a suspenseful, eye-opening story of war, politics, and deception. It also tells the moving human tale of the men and women who fought to maintain love and honor as their lives and destinies were swept up in the Yom Kippur War.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This book investigates the intelligence failures and strategic miscalculations that allowed the surprise Arab offensive against Israel during the 1973 Yom Kippur War. Howard Blum, an investigative journalist, utilizes a combination of newly declassified Israeli government archives and extensive personal interviews with military personnel and intelligence officers from both sides of the conflict. The work argues that the war was not merely a military engagement but a complex intersection of geopolitical deception and human fallibility that nearly resulted in the collapse of the Israeli state.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Detailed analysis of the intelligence failures leading up to the October 6 surprise attack.
- Accounts of the initial three days of combat from the perspective of soldiers and high-ranking generals.
- Examination of the diplomatic and political pressures influencing military decision-making.
Scope Limits
- The text does not provide a comprehensive military history of the entire duration of the war.
- It does not focus on the long-term geopolitical aftermath of the conflict beyond the immediate cessation of hostilities.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Experts and readers frequently note that the book provides a highly readable, narrative-driven account of a complex historical event. It is often cited for its success in humanizing the strategic decisions made by military and political leaders during a period of extreme crisis.
Page Count:
384
Publication Date:
2004-10-05
Publisher:
Harper Perennial
ISBN-10:
0060014008
ISBN-13:
9780060014001
History
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Military
United States
Great Britain
War of 1812
Europe
World War
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Egypt
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