Lioness: Golda Meir and the Nation of Israel

In 1975 I read “My Life” by Golda Meir. To date Francine Klagsbrun has written the most definitive biography of Golda Meir. The book arrives at a propitious time in history. It has been seventy years since Israel became an independent state. Hostility with the Arab world is increasing as is worldwide anti-Semitism. Forty years after her death Golda is still universally known as the most important Jewish woman of the 20th century.

I found it interesting that Klagsbrun pointed out that Golda is more popular in American and the rest of the world than in Israel. Klagsbrun goes beyond the previous biographies by placing Golda’s personal life against the backdrop of the emergence of Israel.

The book is well written and meticulously researched. The author interviewed Golda’s son, and daughter, along with other family members, her personal assistant and bodyguards. Klagsbrun also reviewed thousands of documents, minutes of the American, Israeli, British and Russian government meetings, personal papers, diaries and recently declassified materials. Golda served as Israel’s Ambassador to the Soviet Union, Labor Minister, Foreign Minister and as Prime Minister. Klagsbrun points out Golda’s political shrewdness and achievements as well as her failings. She did not see the rise in nationalism amongst the Arab population. She failed to overcome the feelings of the Sephardic Jews of being second class citizens. Golda led the shift away from socialism to capitalist-oriented economy. I found it interesting that Klagsbrun pointed out that men are called by their last name but women public figures are referred to by their first name to show a lesser position. I learned so much about Golda and Israel from this book. I highly recommend it.

I read this as an e-book on my Kindle app for my iPad. The book is 848 pages. It was published October 17, 2017 by Schocker Publishing.

Biography strikes me as an extremely difficult form of writing. Biographies often suffer from the author's unalloyed admiration, causing them to overlook serious flaws in their subject, or strong dislike, leading to screeds against their subjects. Another frequent flaw is that, having done extensive research on their subjects, biographers feel compelled to overstuff their works with facts, as if to prove that they've done their homework, even though much of what they include is marginal at best.

Ms. Klagsbrun's monumental work suffers from neither flaw. She clearly admires Golda Meir -- though in candor I find it hard to believe that anyone would not admire her -- but she doesn't shy away from candor about Meir's failings and flaws, such as her behavior towards her husband and children, her affairs (though Ms. Klagsbrun wisely avoids details), her stubbornness, etc. Nor does the book force the reader to wade through tons of extraneous facts. That's pretty remarkable, since at nearly 700 pages (in fairly small font), the book is huge. In this regard, it's important to note that the subtitle of the book is "Golda Meir and the Nation of Israel" -- and both topics are amply but appropriately addressed.

It's extremely well written and well organized, though there are a few cases where Ms. Klagsbrun gets ahead of herself -- for example, where she talks about the impact of Meir's heart attack but hasn't mentioned it previously, forcing me to go to the index to see if I'd missed something. (I hadn't.) Also, though the book starts out with Ms. Klagsbrun's observation that Golda is far more admired outside of Israel than within her country, she never really explains why this has happened. I also wish that Ms. Klagsbrun had included a glossary of the various political parties, groups and movements that are referred to in the book; for someone who's not all that familiar with Israeli political history, the various groups and their views became a bit of a swamp for me. (In contrast, there is a "cast of characters" at the outset of the book that was helpful if a bit overinclusive.) My last quibble with the book, though admittedly an extremely minor one, is that I would have loved a section or possibly a postscript that contained Ms. Meir's best witticisms; they are sprinkled throughout the book, but some are left out, and a separate section would have been delightful.

But these are minor criticisms and quibbles. I'll stick with my view that this is a monumental, wonderful and important book. Bravo!

An excellent, well researched biography of a great woman.

The book includes the good, the bad and the ugly.

There is no doubt that Mrs. Klagsbrun has here own 'leanings' and prejudices toward Golda; nevertheless, the book is fair and balanced.

It is the definitive biography of Mrs. Meir and is well worth the time to read.

I read it very quickly and indeed could not put it down.

This book is a "must-read" for anyone who is interested in the beginnings of the State of the Israel and it's leaders.

The information contained within about David Ben Gurion and other key players in the founding of the State is crucial for anyone who really wants an in depth understanding of the events leading up to the founding of the State and the crucial issues of the first thirty years of the State.

You will not regret reading it.

Golda Meir was an incredible person. She truly devoted her life to Israel with dedication and energy that was second to none. Meir was not always right in her beliefs and positions but she left a ledger with so many positive things she has to be admired. She was slow and inept in handling the Yom Kippur war at the start but she was ill-informed by even Moise Dayan and some generals about the level of threat facing Israel. Her work in bringing financial support to the new Jewish state was phenomenal. She is a true hero of Israel. This book is well written and researched. Some parts get a little repetitive because Ms. Meir does so many things , good things, again and again. Still I would highly recommend this book as an important historical work.

This book is excellent, well written and engaging. I would caution against the book on tape version. The narrator manages to mispronounce EVERY Hebrew word and name. It is amazing to me that no one took the time to make sure that the narrator was up to the task. It is impossible to tell the story of Golda without Hebrew words and names. The only thing that kept me listening was that the book itself is so well done. I know it is unlikely, but the publisher should re-do the narration with someone who can actually do the book justice.

Easily the most important/influential female leader since Elizabeth I, and maybe even before. And ya just might be able to eliminate 'female' w/o touching the gist of my observation. I could write on and on and on, but lemmie summarize: No Golda: No Israel. This biography is a 'must read' for anyone even causally interested in historic and current middle East. As to the work -- "lioness" -- IT IS Absolutely top drawer journalism.

It's an example of a person that, with willpower and honesty, moves on, escalating to higher positions and serving her people and country.

Well written bio of Golda that explores both her strengths and limitations. It is an interesting history also of the early 20th century history of Zionism and Israel. What we learn in school or from the media about historic personalities is mostly superficial, concentrating on a few significant events. A good bio fills in gaps and enables us to see leaders as human beings, coping with extraordinary events and their own political, philosophical and intellectual maturation. This book is a winner.

Malgré une première partie un peu longue sur l’engagement de Golda Meir dans les groupes travaillistes, le livre décolle dès son entrée au gouvernement et raconte Golda et son entourage, sa force, son humour (!), et sa passion pour un pays et un peuple auxquels elle a dédié sa vie, entièrement.

On retient ses larmes dès la guerre de Yom Kippour et jusqu’à sa mort. Le dernier chapitre, qui retrace sa vie et sa personnalité, est exceptionnel.

An excellent biography of one of the world's greatest female leaders.

A well written biography of a great woman in history. I would highly recommend.

Beautiful hx.

I have been looking for some time for a good biography of Golda Meir. There are not too many around. Frances Klagsburn's book was choosen to be the "best biography of 2017". It is a complete and thourough book. To be recommended for those who are interested in the subject. For them it is a must.