Six Days of War

June 1967 and the Making of the Modern Middle East

By: Michael B. Oren

Narrated by: Robert Whitfield

Length: 17 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

In Israel and the West, it is called the Six Day War. In the Arab world, it is known as the June War or, simply, as "the Setback". Never has a conflict so short, unforeseen, and largely unwanted by both sides so transformed the world. The Yom Kippur War, the war in Lebanon, the Camp David accords, the controversy over Jerusalem and Jewish settlements in the West Bank, the intifada, and the rise of Palestinian terror are all part of the outcome of those six days of intense Arab-Israeli fighting in the summer of 1967.

Michael B. Oren spotlights all the participants: Arab, Israeli, Soviet, and American, as well as all the world leaders involved in this earth-shaking clash that transformed the world.

©2002 Michael B. Oren (P)2003 Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"Oren is not only a lucid, compelling writer, but reader Robert Whitfield is a master at narrative drive through intonation alone. The listener cannot put this book down. A triumph." (AudioFile)

Really long, but good book.

Overall a pretty good book, but could have been probably half the length. I liked it, but I think it rambled on a bit.

Outstanding

I have been reading about the "Six Days War" for over 40 years. This is, without doubt, the best one volume history that I have 'read'. It blends detailed political, military and human issues with a dexterity rarely encountered. Although knowing the outcome, I was glued to the book - it is a real page turner.
The narrator has a voice that is invisible - all you hear is the story.
I commend this volume to all students of history and the Middle East.

Great Listen and History

Very good "Listen" with a fast moving story line that is very informative as well as great indepth historical insights...

Well read and very interesting

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I grew up in the fifties and sixties so I followed the 67 war as it happened. This book covered it well and was well written.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Eshkol

What does Robert Whitfield bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I could feel the tension, fear, and wariness as it happened in the story.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Does this add to the other books on this subject?

Apart from greater depth on the shuttle diplomacy just prior to the outbreak of hostilities, little else is fresh here. The description of the military elements almost completely omits the single largest cause of victory, namely the Israeli Intelligence transmission of false orders to Egyptian field officers and even pilots, one of whom famously dropped his bomb payload in the Mediterranean and parachuted out of his aircraft on Israeli orders. The party arranged for Egyptian pilots the night prior to the attack is another example of the wonderful manipulation of the Egyptian military. These are just two examples of the most brilliant use of enemy communications in the history of warfare. Instead we are given the simplified picture of unbelievable cowardice and incompetence in Egypt, reinforcing the divide between the two sides versions of events. The Intelligence story would make a great book of itself, if data is ever released on a meaningful scale now that 50 years have passed.

Robert Whitfield's narration is, as always, impeccable.

Terrible narration of a terrific book.

The author presents a fair treatment of an important historic period with which I am familiar. However, the narration by Mr. Whitfield is so annoying because of his affected & stilted British accent and total lack of familiarity with Hebrew or Arabic that keeping track of names of persons or places is confounding. I can recommend the book, but NOT this audiobook.

A war of survival, a war to annihilate

In 1967, in the Middle East, Israel faced a war for survival, for the Arabs, it was a war to annihilate the Jews. Michael Oren provides sets forth the political, diplomatic, military involved in the six days in June 1967, in which Israel fought Egyptian, Jordanian, and Syrian forces. He also evokes the emotions of the leaders as they confronted the pressures in the decision making. This is a good military history. Robert Whitfield does a good job narrating.

Great narration

Great book and a great narrator. Had me engaged the entire time, despite the number of characters, groups, and multiple fronts occurring simultaneously

Superbly narrated political and military history

Would you consider the audio edition of Six Days of War to be better than the print version?

No. Each has its advantages. For example, maps in the printed version.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Moshe Dayan - Minister of Defence, Israel. His complex and perplexing character and ability to make sudden changes in regard to the war in the West bank, the capture of Jerusalem and the Golan Heights.

What does Robert Whitfield bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Excellent narrator. Pronounces Arab and Israeli names and places flawlessly

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes.

Any additional comments?

The book is a detailed political as well as military history of the events surrounding the Six Day War. It tries to present information from both the Arab and Israeli viewpoints,. It clearly demonstrates the divisions among the Arab nations and the resulting problems in carrying out coordinated military and political actions against a determined foe.

Excellent history, well narrated

What made the experience of listening to Six Days of War the most enjoyable?

It provided a detailed account of events from both sides of the conflict.

Any additional comments?

Well researched, lucidly written, well read.