A one-sided but enlightening work about the northern kibbutz movement past and present.
A writer focuses on the kibbutz movement in the north of Israel.
Israel’s northern frontier is a place rich in history and conflict. The birthplace of the kibbutz movement and an early hotbed of Zionism, the area is positioned along the Lebanese border, placing it under near-constant threat from Hezbollah intrusions: “Even though they are less than three hours car ride to Tel Aviv…every man or woman who calls a northern border community home” says the “same thing: They live on the periphery. They say it with pride tinged with the annoyances they experience as a result.” Sobin—whose history with the border communities began as a 16-year-old when he worked at the kibbutz Ma’ayan Baruch in 1971—provides an account of the founding and development of the area from the 19th century to the present. He tells this story by examining specific communities: places like Rosh Pina, Degania, Kibbutz Hanita, and Kibbutz Dan, all experiments in early secular communal living for Jews seeking to build a new homeland in Palestine. The author recounts how these communities changed with the advent of independence and Israel’s decadeslong conflict with adversaries who lived just a few miles from these towns. He also discusses the structural issues that a kibbutz faces as its population ages and younger, less altruistic Israelis reject the original socialist model. (Ma’ayan Baruch is attempting to transition to a more private property-friendly moshav model.) Sobin’s prose is accessible and lively, often locking onto the stories of individuals in order to discuss larger trends: “Upon arrival in Israel, Miriam searched for the missing boys. First, she found Chaim. Miriam’s first words to her son were, ‘I am your mother.’ Chaim responded, ‘I don’t know who you are.’ ” The author is an avowed Zionist, which colors his account. He speaks of the Israeli inhabitants of the area in reverential terms while demonstrating little interest in the Palestinian or Arab perspective. With that caveat, the tale of Jewish settlement in the region—in the past and today—is an intriguing one, and Sobin’s on-the-ground account of these places will be of interest to those curious about Israeli history.
A one-sided but enlightening work about the northern kibbutz movement past and present.Pub Date: Jan. 30, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-9986374-3-3
Page Count: 457
Publisher: Self
Review Posted Online: May 12, 2020
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.
A compendium of charts, time lines, lists and illustrations to accompany study of the Bible.
This visually appealing resource provides a wide array of illustrative and textually concise references, beginning with three sets of charts covering the Bible as a whole, the Old Testament and the New Testament. These charts cover such topics as biblical weights and measures, feasts and holidays and the 12 disciples. Most of the charts use a variety of illustrative techniques to convey lessons and provide visual interest. A worthwhile example is “How We Got the Bible,” which provides a time line of translation history, comparisons of canons among faiths and portraits of important figures in biblical translation, such as Jerome and John Wycliffe. The book then presents a section of maps, followed by diagrams to conceptualize such structures as Noah’s Ark and Solomon’s Temple. Finally, a section on Christianity, cults and other religions describes key aspects of history and doctrine for certain Christian sects and other faith traditions. Overall, the authors take a traditionalist, conservative approach. For instance, they list Moses as the author of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) without making mention of claims to the contrary. When comparing various Christian sects and world religions, the emphasis is on doctrine and orthodox theology. Some chapters, however, may not completely align with the needs of Catholic and Orthodox churches. But the authors’ leanings are muted enough and do not detract from the work’s usefulness. As a resource, it’s well organized, inviting and visually stimulating. Even the most seasoned reader will learn something while browsing.
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2005
ISBN: 978-1-5963-6022-8
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
A powerful reiteration of principles—and some fresh ideas—from the longest-serving independent in congressional history.
Another chapter in a long fight against inequality.
Building on his Fighting Oligarchy tour, which this year drew 280,000 people to rallies in red and blue states, Sanders amplifies his enduring campaign for economic fairness. The Vermont senator offers well-timed advice for combating corruption and issues a robust plea for national soul-searching. His argument rests on alarming data on the widening wealth gap’s impact on democracy. Bolstered by a 2010 Supreme Court decision that removed campaign finance limits, “100 billionaire families spent $2.6 billion” on 2024 elections. Sanders focuses on the Trump administration and congressional Republicans, describing their enactment of the “Big Beautiful Bill,” with its $1 trillion in tax breaks for the richest Americans and big social safety net cuts, as the “largest transfer of wealth” in living memory. But as is his custom, he spreads the blame, dinging Democrats for courting wealthy donors while ignoring the “needs and suffering” of the working class. “Trump filled the political vacuum that the Democrats created,” he writes, a resonant diagnosis. Urging readers not to surrender to despair, Sanders offers numerous legislative proposals. These would empower labor unions, cut the workweek to 32 hours, regulate campaign spending, reduce gerrymandering, and automatically register 18-year-olds to vote. Grassroots supporters can help by running for local office, volunteering with a campaign, and asking educators how to help support public schools. Meanwhile, Sanders asks us “to question the fundamental moral values that underlie” a system that enables “the top 1 percent” to “own more wealth than the bottom 93 percent.” Though his prose sometimes reads like a transcribed speech with built-in applause lines, Sanders’ ideas are specific, clear, and commonsensical. And because it echoes previous statements, his call for collective introspection lands as genuine.
A powerful reiteration of principles—and some fresh ideas—from the longest-serving independent in congressional history.Pub Date: Oct. 21, 2025
ISBN: 9798217089161
Page Count: 160
Publisher: Crown
Review Posted Online: Oct. 21, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2025
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