{"product_id":"9780755617012","title":"Shimon Peres : An Insider’s Account of the Man and the Struggle for a New Middle East","description":"\u003cstrong\u003eShimon Peres\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor(s): Avi Gil\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe late Israeli Foreign Minister, Prime Minister and President Shimon Peres was a towering figure in Israeli and Middle Eastern politics. But what drove the hawkish statesman behind Israel's nuclear deterrence and early settlement policy to stake his political reputation on peace negotiations with the Arab world and the PLO, Israel's sworn enemy?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn this insider's account, written by Avi Gil, Peres's close confidant over almost 30 years, we witness firsthand the tense moments during the historic Oslo talks, kept under the strictest secrecy, when the explosive revelation that Peres was directing direct communications with Yasser Arafat's representatives for the first time threatened to leak to the press.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWe also see the fervent discussions and arguments between the personalities involved in the peace proces\u003cb\u003es\u003c\/b\u003e, including Peres's rivalries with the  Prime Ministers he served under, including Rabin, Sharon and Netanyahu. Although one of Peres's most trusted colleagues, Gil offers a frank assessment of his mentor, recounting his foibles and failures as consistently as he does his victories. We are shown Peres's unique energy and optimism for Israel and its Arab neighbors in his vision of a 'New Middle East'.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBut most valuable of all, we gain unique insight into the actual thought processes, conversations and decisions of Peres and his colleagues and adversaries as they initiated, processed and reacted to events in real time, shedding new light on a historic period in Israeli and Middle Eastern History. Of unique value to all those interested in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the book is also an insightful meditation on the inner-workings of all high-level government and diplomatic negotiations.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eReview(s):\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e“The book, based on Gil’s diaries, notes and memories of several decades in political life, paints a humanizing and often unflattering portrait of one of Israel’s most prominent and enduring politicians.” - \u003ci\u003eJewish Insider\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“A captivating behind-the-scenes account of Shimon Peres, a unique leader and a special friend and colleague of mine, who relentlessly strived to change the face of the Middle East. The intricacies of international diplomacy and the secrets of the Israeli political kitchen are candidly exposed, as only an insightful insider can do. Being a player alongside Shimon Peres does not lessen Gil's intellectual honesty and capacity for self-reflection. This essential book excels in analytical wisdom, flowing narrative, smart political insights, good sense of humor, and a deep understanding of the indispensable human factor.” —\u003ci\u003eJavier Solana, former EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Secretary-General of NATO, and Foreign Minister of Spain.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN:  9780755617012\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e ","brand":"I.B. Tauris","offers":[{"title":"Hardback","offer_id":40819048775886,"sku":"9780755617012","price":90.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0600\/7029\/7806\/products\/getimage_61c99cbf-6784-480a-bc2a-6b18bf0106da.jpg?v=1642921602","url":"https:\/\/pickwickbookshop.com\/products\/9780755617012","provider":"Pickwick Bookshop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}