In 1980; the University of Oklahoma Press published a ten-book series titled Newcomers to a New Land that described and analyzed the role of the major ethnic groups that have contributed to the history of Oklahoma. The series was part of Oklahoma Image; a project sponsored by the Oklahoma Department of Libraries and the Oklahoma Library Association and made possible by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.In response to numerous requests; the University of Oklahoma Press has reissued all ten volumes in the series. Published unaltered from the original editions; these books continue to have both historical and cultural value for reasons the series editorial committee stated as well.“Though not large in number as compared to those in some states; immigrants from various European nations left a marked impact on Oklahoma’s history. As in the larger United States; they worked in many economic and social roles that enriched the state’s life. Indians have played a crucial part in Oklahoma’s history; even to giving the state her name. Blacks and Mexicans have also fulfilled a special set of roles; and will continue to affect Oklahoma’s future. The history of each of these groups is unique; well worth remembering to both their heirs and to other people in the state and nation. Their stories come from the past; but continue on the future.â€
#302747 in Books 2011-10-25 2011-10-25Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.26 x 1.00 x 5.78l; 1.04 #File Name: 0805242821240 pages
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Eye-witness to history remembersBy Alan A. ElsnerShimon Peres is the last of the "founding fathers" of Israel and was a close aide to David Ben-Gurion; the George Washington of the reborn Jewish state. In this slim volume; he recalls his impressions of the great man -- who emerges from these pages as a visionary figure of the status of Winston Churchill and Charles de Gaulle.Peres regards Ben Gurion as the indispensable man in the struggle for Israel's independence. Without his leadership; his courage; his indomitable fighting spirit and his sound political judgment; the modern state simply would never have come into being.Peres gives a terse account of Ben Gurion's early days as an youth in Poland and an immigrant to Palestine culled from other sources. He also provides a fairly tiresome account of the factional fighting in the Zionist movement in the 1930s and 1940s. The book achieves real drama and authenticity in its description of the 1948 war of independence and even more so in the 1956 Suez Campaign in which Peres himself was a key player.Peres gives a balanced account of the 1948 war and the creation of the Palestinians refugee crisis. But his account of the Lavon affair which eventually ended Ben Gurion's career is murky and confusing.Interspersed are dialogues on various controversial issues with co-author David Landau. These are interesting but you have to be very well acquainted with the history and the personalities to get anything out of them.That's a general criticism of this book. It's not a real biography and it's not really a good book to start reading about the history of modern Israel. It's value lies in the fact that Peres knew his subject well and was at his side at key times.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. An outstanding biographyBy ChemaniThis book is extremely good to those people that are interested in Jewish history. It spells out amazing principles of a pioneer; a leader; a statesman and a visionary. It is one of the best books I have ever read. Ben-Gurion was brave; daring as well as very decisive. It's amazing to read of his foresight as well as his strategic plans to birth the Jewish nation. The wisdom of engaging people with divergent views from his as well as interacting with the international community to birth the Jewish nation is amazing. He was not always popular but how he justifies his actions from a leadership perspective is quite interesting. He who reads this book should endeavor; without fail; to read Menachem Begin's books as well. The two viewed the creation of the Jewish state from 2 different perspectives. It is beneficial to see how these political rivals' opinions and differences have helped to shape the Jewish state to this day. These two opinions have birthed all subsequent prime ministers of Israel. These two are must read books.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A biography of the founder of Israel written by a friend and colleagueBy Fred EhrlichI like this biography although the biographer Shimon Peres hardly could be called objective. This is a relatively short biography of a very determined quarrelsome man off great intellect who was the founding father of the State of Israel. Israel really means the struggle with god.Ben Gurion a Jew from Eastern Europe swayed by the nationalistic fervor of his times and the virulent anti semitism of the times; burnt by the Shoah insisted that Jewish state be resurrected and proclaimed. He was a Great War leader leading his people to repulse many Arab nations attacks while resisting internal divisions by more radical groups such as Irgun. He insisted and obtained control of the army b the government.Out of the dessert and malarial swamp he helped build a great nation now an intellectual poerhousebandbarguablynhe most powerful nation in the Middle East.There are many views both negative and positive about his creation but none can deny the miracle. This an excellent short hagiography of this great leader warts and all.
