A leading historian, and Winston Churchill's official biographer, tells the complete story of Israel's birth and development as a nation. Just over 100 years ago, Theodor Herzl launched the Zionist movement. Fifty years later, after the Holocaust, the State of Israel came into being, established so that Jews anywhere in the world could have a homeland. In the years since, five wars have tested Israel's ability to survive. Influxes of emigrants enhanced the country's cultural riches yet strained its social fabric, even as Israel's Arab neighbors sought to redress their own grievances through violence. Now, just as Israel celebrates 70 years of independence, the nation's fascinating story is told by renowned historian Martin Gilbert, complete with images of important historical documents. Reissue in new format.