DAVID BEN-GURION’S MEMOIRS, EXCEEDINGLY RARE PRESENTATION-ASSOCIATION COPY, EACH VOLUME INSCRIBED BY HIM TO THE IDF'S CHIEF OF STAFF IN THE YEAR OF PUBLICATION

BEN-GURION, David. Zikhronot [Memoirs]. (Tel Aviv): Am Oved, (1971-72). Two volumes. Large octavo, original boards, original dust jackets. $5500.

First editions of the first two volumes (of four) of Ben-Gurion’s Memoirs, presentation-association copies, each volume inscribed by him in Hebrew in the year of publication to the Israel Defense Forces' Chief of Staff, General Zvi Tsur.

"Foremost among the founding fathers of modern Israel," David Ben-Gurion drafted Israel's Declaration of Independence, serving afterwards as the new nation's first Prime Minister and subsequently as Minister of Defense. "Considered one of the most scholarly heads of state in human history," Ben-Gurion was, like Winston Churchill, a prolific author in addition to being a statesman (Encyclopedia Judaica). He was "not only his country's George Washington but its Thomas Jefferson as well, and was voted as one of 100 people to most greatly shape the 20th century" (Time). These two volumes cover Ben-Gurion's life from childhood through 1935.

Recipient General Zvi Tsur (1923-2004) served as the IDF Chief of Staff from 1961-63. One of his first actions was to appoint Major General Yitzhak Rabin as his deputy. The biggest IDF operation during Tzur's term, Operation Swallow, was held on 16 March 1962, when the Golani Brigade raided Syrian outposts to the north of the Sea of Galilee in order to stop Syrian shelling. After resigning as Chief of Staff, Tsur served briefly in the Knesset, in Ben-Gurion's Rafi party, and he was active in public affairs until his last days. A third volume was published in 1973 and the fourth volume was published posthumously. Text and inscriptions in Hebrew.

Volume I with foxing to dust jacket flaps and first few and last few leaves, not affecting title page or inscription; dust jacket with wear to spine head and front flap fold, very good. Volume II book fine, dust jacket with tape repair to verso of spine, shallow edge-wear, also very good.