Israel is a small and relatively young country, but its turbulent history has placed it squarely at the centre of the world stage this century Martin Gilbert traces its history, from its beginnings with the dramatic declaration of Statehood in May 1948, through the many subsequent conflicts and political watersheds Using contemporary documents and eyewitness accounts, drawing on his own intimate knowledge of the country and its people, the author weaves together all these dramatic events into a seamless narrative