The Zohar is more than 2000 years old, but until very recently it was kept almost entirely hidden from the world, withheld out of fear that its power would be misused. Looked at it strictly as a work of spiritual wisdom, the Zohar is both an exploration and an explanation of every aspect of our physical and spiritual universe, and the connections that exists between them. Yet the real benefit of the Zohar in our daily lives is the energy imbued within each letter, each word, each phrase. For thousands of years, kabbalists have taught that simply the physical presence of the Zohar brought protection from harm.

One trait is shared by all of the individuals in this book, heroism. From all walks of life, disparate viewpoints, and from remote places around the world they rose up above the self, striving for a greater good. From one-armed Joseph Trumpledor, Russian war hero and Jewish legend, to Mordechai Anielewicz, young leader of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, these shine like beacons of hope and courage in even the darkest moments. Janusz Korczak gave his life to be with Jewish children in Treblinka, marching to the gas chambers even though he had been begged by 'fellow Gentiles' to leave them to their fate. Eli Cohen, the brilliant spy who risked, and lost, his very life in service in Damascus. Yoni Netanyahu, the daring commando leader whose death was the sole fatality suffered by Israeli forces conducting the greatest hostage rescue ever, at Entebbe. Chaim Shturman, proponent of coexistence between Arabs and Jews until the end of his days, though it cost him his life. Hannah Senesh, who, after having escaped the horrors of the Holocaust chose to return to that nightmare, ultimately sacrificing her own life in a mission behind Nazi lines. Orde Wingate, whose brief experience in Israel during the Mandate led him to challenge his fellow British for the sake of a downtrodden people not his own. Abd El-Karim Abd El-Rani, who challenged an enormous terrosist who was stabbing an Israeli girl to death in Jaffa, regardless of his advanced age and the fact that he was fasting for Ramadan and weakened, dying for his heroism by her side. Shula Cohen rescued countless Jews from Syrian torture and death. These are but a sample of the heroes in this book. An inspiring and uplifting book for anyone who believes in something greater than mere self-preservation.

This book hit way above my expectations. I was expecting a boring insight into the life and times of Ali Hassan Salameh, but boy, was I way wrong!. It provides a stunning account of his life starting from his father and down to his activities until his untimely death by the Mossad. It's action packed all the way,with a fluent and captivating style of writing by the authors. After reading "The Hunt For The Engineer" which was virtually boring and could be considered Israelli Propaganda, I find this book highly entertaining. A great buy for those interested in the life and times of a flamboyant terrorist during the 70's.

bar zohar describes in his book the actual hunt for the red prince. the writing style is fluent and captures the reader until the very end. in the book, bar zohar describes how the israeli mosad (like the cia)tried, and eventualy succeeded, to catch the red prince, who master-minded many deadly terorrist atacks on israeli targets. the book describes in a detective like story the hunt, the failures, and the joy of the sweet revenge at the end of the hunt. a great book even if it were just fiction, but greater because it is true.

Michael Bar-Zochar has written a well researched detailed account of the Bulgarian resistance to shipping off the 50,000 Bulgarian Jews to certain death in Eastern Europe (Poland). The book has political, historical, religious, sociologic, personal and emotional layers of understanding of Bulgaria, its people, king, church, and even its fascists. As an example it teaches how Bulgaria became an ally of Germany (to recapture provinces lost to Greece, Yugoslovia and Romania after World War I) but never declared war on Russia (who had liberated Bulgaria from Turkish rule half a century before World War II)

An exciting part was the ability to hang the reader on the edge of the chair as the deportations approached and then were stopped at the last moment.

An emotional part was a Holocaust story in which the righteous Christian Bulgarians (with some help from communists and even some Bulgarian Fascists) stood up for decency, for democratic principles, for protection of the minorities, for behavior that wouldn't shame their country after it was done...I cried.

This book is truly unique in Holocaust literature. To read a true story about an entire nation that actively resisted the Nazi pressure to transport Jews to the death camps is almost unbelievable, considering the tragedies that occurred in countless other countries. And to discover that all classes in Bulgarian society were determined to protect the Jews, that they considered them above all else human beings and Bulgarian citizens, is awe-inspiring. Especially impressive was the Orthodox Church's concern for and constant striving to protect the Jews. After reading Bar-Zohar's splendid book, one can only ask: why weren't other European countries more like the Bulgarians? Bravo to the author for writing about this fascinating and little-known piece of history. Well-researched and written; I can't recommend this book highly enough. An absolute must for any serious student of the Holocaust, or for anyone who wants to read a history book that unfolds like an exciting novel.

This book takes the reader beyond the usual Poland-Western Russia Holocaust to a German ally,Bulgaria, and the actions of the citizens of Bulgaria in saving all the Jews in their country. Mr. Bar-Zohar details how an entire country from King Boris III to the various Metropolitans, working in unison, were able to stop Hitler's demand for the deportation of Bulgarian Jewry. This book is well written, well researched, and ranks as one of the very best stories dealing with the Holocaust. The heroic deeds presented in this book are a turn from the usual Holocaust writings in that they present the difference a people can make in preventing what so many other countries failed to do. The reader is left with a strong feel for the Bulgarian people, and with questions for the countries where large segments of the population cooperated with the Nazi plan for the extermination of the Jews. I strongly recommend this complete story of the Holocaust in Bulgaria as must reading for anyone with an interest in the Holocaust, as a comparison of where prejudice can lead or not lead if absent,and where real heroes take their actions for granted.

Armed Prophet outlines the life of modern Israel's founder, David Ben-Gurion. Long on substance and short on detail, this work highlights the trials and tribulations of a man whose life is synonymous with the rebirth of modern Israel.

The text begins with a description of Ben-Gurion's early life, his immigration to Israel at age 20, and the hardships of the early pioneers. Next, he describes the struggles to establish a Jewish state. His difficulties included convincing fellow Jews that statehood was both achievable and desirable in a land inhabited by hostile Arabs and governed by the British who were both openly and sometimes violently opposed to the idea.

Next, he describes the campaign against Britain in Palestine/Israel followed by the Israeli War of Independence ending with the proclamation of the Jewish State May 14, 1948. Surrounded by hostile, numerically superior Arab armies and fending off challenges from within, Ben-Gurion ignored all odds and advice. His willingness to take risks, including the risk of civil war, earned him the title of "dictator" by his opponents. Readers should compare his account of the tragic Altalena affair with the one advanced by Menachem Begin in, The Revolt. Clearly, all was not peace and harmony within Israel.

The book then describes Israel's role in the 1956 war with Nasser's Egypt in concert with France and Britain. Despite international repercussions, Israel demonstrated its military superiority and put teeth into Ben-Gurion's statement, "Israel depends not on what gentiles think, but on what Jews do." It concludes by enumerating Ben-Gurion's diplomatic initiatives conducted as part of his never ending attempts to provide peace, prosperity, and, most importantly, security, for his beloved Israel.

Readers looking for a short, version of the events leading to the establishment of the Jewish state should read The Armed Prophet. It presents the significant events in chronological order and describes the key leaders involved. Clear, concise, and highly readable, it provides background for events that monopolize the world's attention today.

Here is a man who lived a long time and experienced many traumas and victories. The leader and first prime minister of Israel, Ben-Gurion was an international legend.