From the prelude of the October 1973 Middle East war through the signing of the Egyptian-Israeli Peace Treaty in March 1979, Kenneth W. Stein grippingly traces American involvement in the Arab-Israeli negotiations. He provides an extraordinary range of first-hand accounts, recollections and anecdotes from over eighty bureaucrats, diplomats and military leaders who participated in Arab-Israeli peace talks in the 1970's and since.
Since the official public record remains unavailable for reasons of national security, these interviews provide unequaled insight into the internal divisions, political intrigue and untold stories of the peace process. Charting the complex and often contradictory goals of Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Syria, the US and the USSR, Stein chronicles the evolution of these negotiations and analyzes the key roles of Sadat, Kissinger, Carter, and Begin. An introduction and epilogue place this period in context of Arab-Israeli history since 1948 and the current status of the peace process.
Industry Reviews
"Anyone interested in getting a better grasp of the origins of the current Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations should consult this timely and well-informed book.... Drawing on a wealth of Arab, Israeli, American, and Soviet sources, including interviews with decisionmakers and key participants in the peace process, Stein has painted the picture on a wide canvas, without losing sight of the small detail. His is probably the best and most comprehensive account of the making of the Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty, not least owing to the dispassionate and even-handed treatment of the various participants in the process.."-Efraim Karsh, "Canadian Journal of History "By combining rich and diverse sources, Stein has produced a study unusual for its freshness and credibility...a major contribution to the existing literature on the peace process in its crucial, founding stage, and, as such, is essential reading for those interested in understanding the process as it continues to unfold. "Middle East Journal ...finely researched study of the Arab-Israeli peace process... Recommended for upper-division undergraduates and above."-"Choice, April 2000 "This masterly study offers us diplomatic history at its best. Anyone interested in Arab-Israeli affairs, conflict resolution, and the art of negotiation will find this book essential, enjoyable, and rewarding."-Itamar Rabinovich, author of "Waging Peace: Israel and the Arabs at the End of the Century ""Heroic Diplomacy is indeed remarkable. For the first time, a talented historian has written a lively chronicle of the 30-year Arab-Israeli peace process by drawing on all of the involved parties--Arab, Israeli, and American. Itcontributes greatly toward understanding the complex diplomatic history of the Arab-Israeli conflict."-Samuel W. Lewis, U.S. Ambassador to Israel, 1977-1985 "Stein's well-written, thoroughly researched account of the process that led to the Camp David Accords is the most comprehensive and insightful review of this political era. "Heroic Diplomacy contains a host of new information, and is a coherent and compelling story."-Joel Singer, former Legal Advisor of Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and drafter of the Oslo Agreements
