The Lions' Den

The Lions' Den examines the complex relationship between leftist intellectuals and Zionism through detailed profiles of eight influential thinkers. Published by Yale University Press in 2019, this work by NYU journalism professor Susie Linfield analyzes perspectives spanning from Hannah Arendt to Noam Chomsky. The book traces how attitudes toward Israel evolved among left-wing intellectuals from the mid-20th century onward. It explores the shift that occurred in the late 1950s when many leftists began viewing Israel primarily through an anti-colonial lens rather than through earlier frameworks of Jewish self-determination and post-Holocaust justice. Each chapter focuses on a different intellectual figure, including Arthur Koestler, Isaac Deutscher, and I.F. Stone, examining their writings about Israel and Zionism. The profiles reveal how personal backgrounds, political commitments, and historical events shaped these thinkers' views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The work raises fundamental questions about nationalism, colonialism, and the intersection of Jewish identity with progressive politics. It challenges readers to consider how ideological frameworks can both illuminate and obscure complex political realities.

Readers describe this book as a thorough examination of eight leftist intellectuals and their perspectives on Israel, though some find the writing dense and academic in tone. Positive reviews highlight: - Clear breakdown of complex historical viewpoints - Detailed research and extensive sourcing - Balanced treatment of controversial topics - Strong analysis of how personal backgrounds shaped each subject's views Common criticisms: - Writing can be repetitive - Too much biographical detail before getting to main arguments - Academic style makes it less accessible - Some readers felt the author's own position was too prominent Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (43 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (31 ratings) "The biographical context helps understand why these thinkers took their positions," writes one Amazon reviewer, while another notes "could have been more concise without losing substance." Several reviewers mention the book works best for readers already familiar with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict's history.

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🔸 Hannah Arendt, one of the intellectuals featured in the book, initially supported the Zionist movement but became increasingly critical after visiting Israel in 1961 to cover the Adolf Eichmann trial. 🔸 The book's title "The Lions' Den" references Daniel from the Bible - drawing a parallel between Daniel's moral courage and the challenging positions these intellectuals took in addressing Israel-Palestine relations. 🔸 Author Susie Linfield serves as a professor of journalism at New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute and has written extensively about photography's role in political movements. 🔸 The eight intellectuals examined in the book span three generations of leftist thought, from early Zionist supporters like Arthur Koestler to contemporary critics like Noam Chomsky. 🔸 The work notably challenges the common narrative that leftist criticism of Israel began primarily after the 1967 Six-Day War, showing how debates about Jewish nationalism existed within progressive circles much earlier.