Eugene Narrett’s Israel Awakened, by Louis Rene Beres [16 August 2001]
Eugene Narrett’s second book promises to be as good as his first [Gathered against Jerusalem: Essays on a False Peace]. Israel Awakened is written with rare erudition and insight reflecting the author’s remarkable fusion of thought and feeling. I read the manuscript eagerly with both profit and admiration. Combining elegant prose with substantial knowledge of relevant particulars, Narrett understands that Israel cannot afford business as usual and that the Oslo War has potentially existential consequences for the increasingly imperiled Jewish State. Aware of the inherent limitations of law and agreements, especially with Arab ‘partners,’ he recognizes the barbarism of clichéd ‘wisdom’ and the terrible harms that come from self-delusion.
Narrett’s book is particularly timely because it underscores the importance of Israel ’s ‘Self,’ its national identity. Not knowing what it is or what it can become, Israel still flails about from crisis to crisis, led by men without vision and even without honor. Until Israel can decide on its true identity and destiny, we learn from Narrett, all solutions to critical problems will be temporary and ineffectual.
“When Israel espouses its Land and heritage, confusion and surrender will yield to clarity of purpose and strength. Then and only then will there be peace,” he writes. Narrett’s new book is deeply disturbing but this is a distinct asset for those who would help Israel survive the unrelieved Arab war of attrition and annihilation. The book deserves the widest possible audience. I commend it to all friends of Israel .
[visit www.israelendtimes.com to read entire entry, archive and books page; EN WW III: the War on the Jews]
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