Israel’s short but tumultuous history has inspired a number of historical novels. Consider reading Chaim Potok’s Wanderings, James Michener’s The Source, and | Leon Uris’s Exodus. For a more sober textbook history of the land read Barbara Tuchman’s Bible and Sword, which chronicles Palestine from the Bronze Age to the Balfour Declaration of 1917. The works of Solomon Grayzel are also authorita-, tive and elegant for historical background. An account of Israeli-Arabs can be found in the dense but provocative The Arabs in Israel by Sabri Jiryis. Serious academic Type should pick up Nadav Safran’s hefty isreal: The Embattlet Ally or Corner Cruise O’Brien’s llighter The Siege.

The Israeli press is far livelier that the westren norm; politics is taken seriouly here. and opinions are expressed vociferously. The liberal Ha’Aretz is the most respected daily; Yediot Ahronot is more tabloid-style and the most widely read. The Jerusalem Post, the only English-language daily, is now generally right-wing, while the biweekly English-language Jerusalem Report offers high-quality reporting and ‘ analysis from more dovish editors. The Post reprints The New York Times “Week in ‘ Review” section each Monday.