No Room for Small Dreams

Courage, Imagination, and the Making of Modern Israel

By: Shimon Peres

Narrated by: Mark Bramhall

Length: 7 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

In 1934, 11-year-old Shimon Peres emigrated to the land of Israel from his native Poland, leaving behind an extended family who would later be murdered in the Holocaust. Few back then would have predicted that this young man would eventually become one of the towering figures of the 20th century. Peres would indeed go on to serve the new nation as prime minister, president, foreign minister, and the head of several other ministries. He was central to the establishment of the Israeli Defense Forces and the defense industry that would provide the young nation with a robust deterrent power. He was crucial to launching Israel's nuclear energy program and to the creation of its high-tech "Start Up Nation" revolution. His refusal to surrender to conventional wisdom and political conventions helped save the Israeli economy and prompted some of the most daring military operations in history, among them the legendary Operation Entebbe. And yet, as important as his role in creating and deploying Israel's armed forces was, his stunning transition from hawk to dove - with its accompanying unwavering commitment to peace - made him one of the globe's most recognized, honored, and admired statesmen.

In this, his final work, finished only weeks before his passing, Peres offers a long-awaited examination of the crucial turning points in Israeli history through the prism of having been a decision maker and eyewitness. Told with the frankness of someone aware this would likely be his final statement, No Room for Small Dreams spans decades and events, but as much as it is about what happened, it is about why it happened. Examining pivotal moments in Israel's rise, Peres explores what makes for a great leader, how to make hard choices in a climate of uncertainty and distress, the challenges of balancing principles with policies, and the liberating nature of imagination and unpredicted innovation. In doing so, he not only charts a better path forward for his beloved country but provides deep and universal wisdom for younger generations who seek to lead - be it in politics, business, or the broader service of making our planet a safer, more peaceful, and just place.

©2017 Shimon Peres (P)2017 HarperCollins Publishers

Great insights

This book provides excellent insight into the Israeli and Jew mentality as they sought to build a sovereign nation of their own. Of course the Arab world would not be happy to have their lands be assigned to a new nation and it is fair for the Arab world to not be content with United Nations, USA, and global powers for this change. From the perspective of the Israelis, this is a long arduous, and difficult process and no doubt helps explain Israeli minds in being able to take on great risks as their whole livelihood depended upon them being so. Yet still this provides insights and glimpse into minds of Shimon Peres and Israeli leaders add they dealt with difficult challenges and issues. I appreciate Peres' push for two nation solution and peace works he pushed on later on in his career. Now that the Israelis have a nation worthy of being a world class nation, I hope that the Palestinians will be able to exist in a safe, peaceful, and prosperous nation of their own.

Shimon Peres

Shimon Peres really inspired me. Someone who really dreamed and lived to the full. And acted out their dreams despite its consequences.
Wish I could do the same.

Amazing

it's an amazing biography. Inspires and it's a thrilling narration. Kept me listening from beginning to end.

Great book

Loved this book. I made me almost cry from excitement. Recommend it very much.

Dreams have no limits!

This is an exceptional and inspirational autobiography. It was so captivating with no dull moments. I can’t wait to listen to it all over again. There so many lessons to learn and apply.

Inspirative and Optimistic

It is very encouraging to hear that pollititians like Shimon P. can appear on the world stage. What was most inspiring was his unrelenting optimism and faith in human progress via science, innovation, and peace, which he believed, would ultimately defeat hatred, ignorance, and war (as those make no sense) Where is next Shimon Peres?

Moving and inspirational

I ordered this book because I am a fan of the narrator. I am so happy I did.

An inspiring book by an incredible leader

An incredible leader, who did extraordinary things, most of which were done in the shadows. An incredible history of the country's creation and development.

Inspiring look at the making of modern Israel.

This book was a beautiful account of a man who gave his entire life in service to his country. His insights into the past hold implications for future generations to take not of. The voice of this man calls both the old and young to great courage, and bigger dreams.

A True Israeli Hero

Although I did not view Shimon Peres favorably before I listened to this audio book, my attitude towards him has changed dramatically, and I am very impressed with his many accomplishments on behalf of the State of Israel. I thoroughly enjoyed this audio book and recommend it to anyone who is interested in Shimon Peres' fascinating life story.