2006-08-28 Superb analysis from a master historian.

This book deals with the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in June 1982 led by Ariel Sharon. The book is simply superb in the way it draws portriats of all the protagonists and you will learn a lot about the PLO, Lebanese militia and the IDF that you will never discover from the newspapers or TV. John Laffin is a British historian who lives in Lebanon with his wife so he had a front row seat to the conflict and the emotional impact of the war comes through in his writing style.

I first read this book some years ago and was struck by the easy writing style and the excellent photos that accompany the text. What then hit me was Laffin's icy truthfulness about the origins and conduct of the war. The chapter on the Media War is absolutely stunning, portraying the same media laziness and anti-Jew bias we see in today's reporting.

This book is highly recommended for both its entertaining style and its professional and honest approach its subject.