by Herman Wouk
First published 2014
Zev Barak stands with his fellow officers Sam Pasternak, Don Kishote, and Benny Luria as Israel declares independence in 1948. The four men serve in an army that faces overwhelming odds, surrounded by hostile nations determined to destroy the newborn state. They fight desperate battles across desert terrain while navigating relationships with the women in their lives, three Israelis and one American. The officers witness and participate in the military campaigns that will determine whether Israel survives its first two decades. Their personal stories interweave with the larger struggle as they encounter the commanding figures who shape Israel's military strategy. The narrative builds toward the Six-Day War of 1967, when Israel's fate hangs in the balance once again. Through combat, romance, and the weight of history, these four friends experience both the cost and necessity of fighting for a homeland. Their individual destinies reflect the broader story of a nation that must prove its right to exist through force of arms.
Genres: historical-fiction, 20th-century, military-fiction, action
Vibes: emotional, fast-paced, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, friends-to-lovers
Setting: Israel
Period: 1948, 1967
ebook · RosettaBooks
Content warnings: war