Zeal for Zion - by Shalom Goldman (Paperback)

About the Book

Zeal for Zion: Christians, Jews, and the Idea of the Promised Land

Book Synopsis

The standard histories of Zionism have depicted it almost exclusively as a Jewish political movement, one in which Christians do not appear except as antagonists. In the highly original Zeal for Zion, Shalom Goldman makes the case for a wider and more inclusive history, one that brings the substantial Christian involvement with Zionism -- most recently by American evangelical Protestants -- into the light.

Goldman offers a fresh perspective on the history of Zionism, deftly weaving together the stories of poets and diplomats, Christian scholars and Jewish leaders, the Vatican and the State of Israel, and modern literary masters such as Jorge Luis Borges, Robert Graves, and Vladimir Nabokov. Goldman argues that Jewish Zionism was influenced by -- and cannot be understood in isolation from -- Christian culture generally and Christian Zionist culture specifically. Shedding light on the deep and interrelated roots of Christian-Jewish relations, fraught with tension and ambivalence, he finds that Christian support for the Jewish Zionist cause has been essential to the success of the movement.

Christian Zionism has a long history and has been embraced at various times by Catholics and Protestants, liberals and conservatives, reformers and traditionalists. Zeal for Zion places this vital movement within the larger history of Zionism, making the story of Zionism all the more rich and complex.

Review Quotes

"A fascinating story. . . . Highly recommended to Jewish as well as Christian readers, and especially to Israelis."--Israel Studies Review

"A fresh look at the movement that spawned the Jewish homeland."--Jewish Book World

"A smartly conceived and original approach to the history of Zionism. . . . Concludes with a fascinating examination of the relationships between evangelicals, the Bush presidency and Israel."--Christian Century

"All told, the value of Zeal for Zion lies in bringing together the overlooked Christian Zionists into a single volume."--Haaretz

"Compelling. . . . A welcome addition to the growing body of literature on the very important subject of 'Israel in the eyes of the Gentiles.'"--American Jewish History

"Engaging. . . . There is much in this book that is new and important. Zeal for Zion will undoubtedly stand as an important source of information and insight."--American Historical Review

"For those who think Christians are either far right, pro-Israel/anti-Arab Evangelicals or far left, pro-Arab/anti-Israel 'mainline' Protestants and Catholics . . . Zeal for Zion should come as good news."--Jerusalem Post

"Important if sometimes unsettling readings of history that could point to a reshaping of the traditional Zionist story. . . . A very useful and comprehensive review of the Protestant role in the establishment of Israel. . . . [A] necessary piece of historical housecleaning."--Jewish Review of Books

"Shalom Goldman has succeeded in dealing with [Zionism] in a remarkably fair, clear, and informative way."--Times Literary Supplement

"The material that has been drawn on and the way in which new light has been shed on a diverse group of Christian supporters of Zionism is a most welcome and important addition to the literature."--Church History