THE IDEA OF WRITING about David Ben-Gurion came to me as a result of my involvement in the Jewish Lives series, a collection of short biographies illuminating the diverse Jewish contributions to the human creation over the past three millennia, sponsored by Leon Black. My friend and colleague in the editorial team of the series, Steve Zipperstein, encouraged me to embark on this intellectual adventure, and so did Ileene Smith, the editor of the series on behalf of Yale University Press. The Leon D. Black Foundation generously supported this endeavor. Linda Kurz smoothed the administrative edges of our team’s cooperation.
The Ben-Gurion Archive at Sdeh Boker was most generous in making the labyrinth of Ben-Gurion’s papers accessible. The late Haim Yisraeli opened the Israel Defense Forces Archive for me, and Ms. Ilana Allon, the director of the archive, gave the needed push to have the files declassified on time. Ms. Hanni Hermolin of the Beit Ben-Gurion Association was most helpful in helping me locate the necessary photos, and so did the people of the Labor archive at the Lavon Institute.
My favorite translator, Anthony Berris, translated this book and as usual did a great job. Stephanie Golden made it more colloquial and accessible to the American reader. Sylvia Fuks-Fried read the manuscript and made important comments. John Palmer was very helpful in advancing the manuscript at Yale University Press, and Phillip King gave it the final polish. I am thankful to all of them for their encouragement and professionalism.
My favorite assistant and friend, Dr. Nurit Levinovsky-Cohen, was a great help in locating materials, checking details, and guarding me from any mischief. I am most grateful to her for her help and friendship.
This book was written during the last year of my late husband’s life, and it will always be associated with painful memories, but also with the fact that he read most of it and was satisfied with my work. I will always miss his criticism and encouragement.