Yael Dayan, novelist daughter of the legendary Moshe Dayan and a public figure with a long and illustrious political career behind her, looks back at her life, scrutinizing it without illusions. Once a desirable, free-spirited young woman and a successful author, she lived with the sense that she held the world in the palm of her hand. And the world adulated both her and the young state she came from. She was an officer in the Israel Defense Force, the daughter of a renowned general, a successful writer—
Death Had Two Sons,
A Soldier’s Diary: Sinai 1967—much in demand on the lecture tour, and a star of the gossip columns. Now in her 70s, she admits with touching honesty to missing both the vibrant 20-something she was, and the sober woman she became—a fierce political activist and parliamentarian for the left, a fighter for justice, women’s rights and peace. Having resigned her last public position, she must reconcile herself to being a mentor, a participant instead of a leader, yet remaining center-stage on the Peace Camp scene.
The narrator’s warm, intimate voice and her rich intellect, as well as her insights, make for a powerful reading experience.
ENGLISH TRANSLATION AVAILABLE (for publishers only).
REVIEWS
Fascinating book … Reading this wonderful book gave me utmost enjoyment. It
is multi-layered and ever so magical, containing personal and national facets
in a rich harmony of sharp contrasts – a harmony that combines the complexity
of the mind with the wisdom of the heart. I was deeply moved by the humaneness
of Dayan's writing, by the sincerity and softness, by the power of her insatiable
creativity, which knows no limits and never ceases to excite, inspire and
intrigue … This is an autobiography of highly courageous acts and inspiring
ideas.
Former President
Shimon Peres
An introspective and moving memoir…Many readers
will relate to [Dayan’s] struggles with mortality and loss.
Publishers Weekly
The sad and painful chapters are heartbreaking without being sentimental … In [this book] there is much love and an unquenchable thirst for life … and it is written throughout in a spirit that is bold and lucid.
Author Amos Oz
In a precise, rich and candid language, Yael Dayan wanders through her dramatic biography with captivating courage and honesty.
Author Abraham B. Yehoshua
A brave book by a brave woman which honestly describes, with crystal accuracy and talent, a life experience that is both exhilarating and painful.
Author Etgar Keret
A book written with honesty and wisdom, observing past generations, the writer’s own and the next to follow, by an intriguing and talented writer with sadness and reconciliation.
Author Orly Castel-Bloom
Yael Dayan casts a piercing and amazingly courageous observation at her life, past and present. Her reflection is innocuous of any nostalgic embrace and crosses her own story, touching other life cycles, the Israeli story, the general human story. Everything is portrayed in a penetrating, precise language – a unique voice evocatively beautiful.
Author Savyon Liebrecht
Yael's memoir is candid and uncompromisingly sincere. That said, she manages to avoid explosive landmines and to refrain from self-glorification … This is a courageous and heart-gripping journey undertaken by a great and noble soul across the expanse of her life -- her achievements, her failures, her loves and her losses -- and into her inner self.
Author Judith Katzir
She touches on things without embellishment, and also without trepidation … There are few writers who can touch upon pain and beauty, upon their suffering as humans, and upon the few moments of joy their life brings, with the same degree of wonder and beauty, accuracy and compassion, as she does.
Author Ilan Sheinfeld
That rare miracle when a life becomes literature occurs here, and in this case it is great literature
Dr. Giddon Ticotsky
Yael Dayan’s lovely memoir looks death in the eye with
impressive honesty … What makes it interesting is that Dayan is not reconciled
to her status as a pensioner … She describes the process of dying with
impressive, and sometimes stirring, honesty … Her beautiful, poetic monologue
expresses the heart-felt groans of old-time Israelis.
Ofri Ilany, Yedioth Ahronoth
An act of real courage and principled integrity.
Orian Morris,
Mida
Yael Dayan has not lost one gram of her courage and
determination … I read her lovely book in a storm of emotion. Sadness, regret
and compassion swirled and switched among the lines.
Dina Haluts, La’Isha
Yael Dayan tells her
story frankly … Despite the difficulties, the disappointments, there is a fine thread
of optimism in the book.
Ora Armoni, Kol Israel
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