In and Out of Palestine, 1940-1948
In and Out of Palestine is a journey to an intriguing time: the last years of the British Mandate. Lazar`s book, however, does not focus on historical facts, dates and analyses, but on the actual people who lived through this time-British, Arab and Jewish. After meeting with about 100 people, both in Israel and abroad, she merged their memories into this portrait of a world that still casts its shadow over life in Israel today.
“My purpose is not to research what used to be,” the author says, “but to uncover what people remember from that time, to find the link between their words and the myth that was created then, and to show how their memory changed with time.” As a result, this unique document incorporates both those things that are remembered and those ignored, the refuted as well as the admitted, and exposes what and who used to be in the Land of Israel.
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“ A gifted writer… Lazar manages to weave her dialogues and descriptions into an intriguing portrait of a unique period...[and] succeeds in depicting a complex reality… This attractive book is essential reading for anyone who wishes to understand the unique interplay between the three major forces that shaped the history of Mandated Palestine and led it to the war of 1948. ”
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“ Readers will appreciate the fascinating look back as Hadara Lazar interviews and obtains the thoughts and memories of numerous Jewish, Arab, and British people who lived in Palestine just after WWII,”
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“ A daring undertaking… The revelations provided do not always reflect positively on any of those interviewed and this shows Lazar’s unbiased professionalism in handling such a contentious topic… ”