The Arc of a Covenant

The United States, Israel, and the Fate of the Jewish People

By: Walter Russell Mead

Narrated by: Josh Bloomberg

Length: 26 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

In this bold examination of the Israeli-American relationship, Walter Russell Mead demolishes the myths that both pro-Zionists and anti-Zionists have fostered over the years. He makes clear that Zionism has always been a divisive subject in the American Jewish community, and that American Christians have often been the most fervent supporters of a Jewish state, citing examples from the time of J. P. Morgan and John D. Rockefeller to the present day.

He spotlights the almost forgotten story of left-wing support for Zionism, arguing that Eleanor Roosevelt and liberal New Dealers had more influence on President Truman's Israel policy than the American Jewish community—and that Stalin's influence was more decisive than Truman's in Israel's struggle for independence. Mead shows how Israel's rise in the Middle East helped kindle both the modern evangelical movement and the Sunbelt coalition that carried Reagan into the White House. Highlighting the real sources of Israel's support across the American political spectrum, he debunks the legend of the so-called "Israel lobby." And, he describes the aspects of American culture that make it hostile to anti-Semitism and warns about the danger to that tradition of tolerance as our current culture wars heat up.

©2022 Walter Russell Mead (P)2023 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Outstanding, balanced view of the Mideast

This monumental book presents a highly thoughtful, beautifully written and narrated, fair, and relevant historical discussion of America’s sometimes tortured relationship with one its most important allies. Along the way are insightful analyses of American politics and the forces that influence (or, in some cases don’t influence) the decision making process from before the birth of Israel to the present. His non-polemical, nuanced approach and respect toward all parties to the conflict makes this a very valuable contribution to understanding the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinians.

U.S. AND ISRAEL

Walter Russell Mead hardens the consequence of race and creed in the history of the modern world. Mead offers a biblically influenced history of human progress in "The Arc of a Covenant". One cannot diminish the value of human diversity, but Mead implies millions who were murdered, maimed, or imprisoned in history have paid a price for human progress. Mead suggests the greatest price paid is by Jews who were largely abandoned by Franklin Roosevelt's America and imprisoned, gassed, and murdered in WWII.

Despite America's decisive role in WWII, largely orchestrated by Franklin Roosevelt, Mead suggests President Truman's actions to end the war and gain the peace shine as brightly as the social programs created by his predecessor. What seems glaringly obvious in Mead's "too long" story is the immense contribution Jews have made to the United States. As a small minority, their contribution to the world outstrips any ethnic group in this dilatant's flawed memory. Mead gives some perspective to that realization.

Excellent

This book was a real joy to listen to. Author is very objective and you will learn a lot about the history of Israel and US

Informative

Listen and know it. You will get smarter by listening to this I promise:)
No at a boring moment here

Thorough Coverage of US Israel relations

On every page you’ll learn something new about US history as well as European history. Mead also bends over backwards to be fair to both Israelis and Palestinians.

A wonderfully complex and thoughtful history

A nuanced history of the U.S. relationship with both Israel and broader U.S. foreign policy. I especially appreciated his theological analysis.

Not what I expected

The author devotes page upon page to his general analysis of US political and social trends, and gives short accounts some of the most consequential events in the history of US-Israel relations, such as the Iran deal/JCPOA. He also fundamentally misunderstands certain aspects of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, for example its transition from Arab-Israeli conflict.