The Seventh Million

A Ha’aretz columnist sheds critical light on the complex relationship between Israel and the Holocaustin this “frank and eye-opening” history (The New York Times Book Review).

The Seventh Million is the first book to show the decisive impact of the Holocaust on the identity, ideology, and politics of Israel. Drawing on diaries, interviews, and thousands of declassified documents, Tom Segev reconsiders the major struggles and personalities of Israel’s past, including David Ben-Gurion, Menachem Begin, and Nahum Goldmann.

Through examination of critical moments such as the Exodus affair, the Eichmann trial, and the case of John Demjanjuk, Segev argues that the nation’s legacy has been molded and manipulated in accordance with the ideological requirements of the state. The Seventh Million uncovers a vast and complex story and reveals how the bitter events of decades past continue to shape the experiences not just of individuals but of a nation.

“Richly documented and written with great passion.” —Elie Wiesel, Los Angeles Times Book Review