Yehuda Avner

Yehuda Avner (1928-2015) was an Israeli diplomat, prime ministerial advisor, and author who served in key positions under multiple Israeli prime ministers including Golda Meir, Levi Eshkol, Yitzhak Rabin, Menachem Begin, and Shimon Peres. Born in Manchester, England, Avner immigrated to Jerusalem in 1947 and fought in Israel's War of Independence before helping establish Kibbutz Lavi in the Galilee. His diplomatic career included roles as Israel's Ambassador to Britain, Ireland, and Australia, as well as positions at Israeli diplomatic missions in New York and Washington, D.C. Avner's most significant literary contribution was his 2010 memoir "The Prime Ministers: An Intimate Narrative of Israeli Leadership," which provided firsthand accounts of crucial moments in Israeli history and was later adapted into a documentary film. His final work, the novel "The Ambassador," co-authored with Matt Rees, was published posthumously in 2015. His unique position as both a diplomatic insider and skilled writer allowed him to document key events in Israel's history, including his earlier work "The Young Inheritors: A Portrait of Israel's Children" published in 1982.

Readers consistently highlight Avner's firsthand accounts of Israeli politics and his intimate access to prime ministers. His writing style receives praise for making complex political events accessible while maintaining historical accuracy. Likes: - Detailed personal anecdotes about leaders like Begin and Meir - Behind-the-scenes perspective on major diplomatic events - Clear explanations of Israeli policy decisions - Balance of humor and serious content Dislikes: - Some sections move slowly with excessive detail - Religious/political views can feel heavy-handed - Limited coverage of certain historical periods Ratings: The Prime Ministers (his main work): Goodreads: 4.4/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (300+ reviews) Common reader comments note the book reads "like a political thriller" despite being non-fiction. Several reviewers mention using it to understand Israeli history through a more personal lens. Critics say it occasionally strays into hero worship of certain leaders.

The Prime Ministers: An Intimate Narrative of Israeli Leadership (2010) A memoir detailing the author's firsthand experiences serving under multiple Israeli prime ministers and witnessing pivotal moments in Israeli history.

The Young Inheritors: A Portrait of Israel's Children (1982) A documentation of Israeli youth and their experiences growing up in the young nation of Israel.

The Ambassador (2015) A novel co-authored with Matt Rees about a fictional Israeli ambassador in London during the 1960s, drawing from Avner's diplomatic experience.

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