The Political and Social Philosophy of Ze'ev Jabotinsky

Ze'ev (Vladimir) Jabotinsky (1880-1940) made his name as a journalist, novelist, poet, translator, soldier, and linguist. He was also one of the foremost orators of his day, mesmerizing his audiences in any of the seven languages he had mastered. Above all, Jabotinsky was a charismatic political leader with rare prophetic vision whose name became a household word among the masses of eastern European Jewry between the two World Wars. Jabotinsky was a product of 19th-century Liberalism who championed a brand of Zionism which set aside social and class differences and concentrated on obtaining a Jewish state that all Jewish people would be able to call home. He exerted a profound influence on Jewish youth, encouraging them to leave behind their ghetto mentalities and to take pride in their rich Jewish heritage. Much of his ideology was disseminated through the Betar youth movement which he founded. Now back in print, this book contains selected excerpts of his books, articles, speeches, poetry, and personal correspondence which portray the broad range of his ideas and philosophy. Although they address the burning issues of his day, one cannot miss how contemporary his ideas remain.