EBAN

by Robert St. John ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 22, 1972

This lengthy biography is written rather as if the life of Abba Eban were a series of public forums, with excerpt upon excerpt and epigram after epigram piled upon turns and more turns of phrase. St. John's overindulgence in quotology is framed with compliments to Eban for his rich vocabulary. The effect on the reader is to join with those malicious partisans who have ridiculed Eban's penchant for rhetorical devices. Unfortunately, St. John's preservation of every quip on record ultimately muddles Eban's very reputation for articulate eloquence, since some are fairly Nixonian: ""I look forward to the football contest we are about to witness. I am quite impartial. I don't care who wins so long as it's the Israel Olympic soccer team."" In between mots we learn that Eban studied at Cambridge, was an active British Zionist, an ambassador to the U.S., and an Israeli minister. Insights and inside stories are missing as St. John purveys official Israeli history, including discredited versions of the Six Day War. Verbose.

Pub Date: Sept. 22, 1972

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Doubleday

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1972

Categories: NONFICTION