Our Israeli Diary: Of That Time, Of That Place

Description

Harold has concentrated his shopping for the trip on shoes... Our feet seem to have been much on our minds. I think we both believe we shall tramp through a great deal of history. In May 1978, the award-winning biographer Antonia Fraser and celebrated playwright Harold Pinter boarded a flight destined for Tel Aviv. Despite a number of previous invitations, it was to be the first time either of them had travelled to Israel. Over the two weeks that follow, the tensions of the period are painfully visible, the story of the country is heard through some of its most historically significant sites and touching insights into Fraser and Pinter's relationship reveal themselves. There are also intriguing hints as to Pinter's feelings upon finally visiting the place that has become home to his Jewish heritage. As they move from Jerusalem to Masada to Bethlehem, they break bread and debate the state of Israel with everyone from Jackie Kennedy to Shimon Peres. Charmingly narrated, embroidered by effervescent flourishes and wonderfully British notes of humour, Our Israeli Diary is a unique picture of a time, a place and two of our most-loved literary stars.

Antonia Fraser is the author of many widely acclaimed, internationally bestselling works of historical non-fiction. She has received many awards for her writing, including the Wolfson History Prize, the Norton Medlicott Medal of the Historical Association and the James Tait Black Prize for Biography. In 2011 she was made a DBE for services to literature. She lives in London.

'A compelling mixture of charm, humour and wisdom.' * TLS * 'A little gem of a book that offers a snapshot of Israel 30 years after independence; sharp insights into a range of characters from Shimon Peres to Jackie Kennedy.' * Jewish Chronicle * 'Engaging...above all an interesting account of a time and a place.' * Financial Times * 'Wise and witty...Fraser's personality shines through here: ever curious, good-natured, with an ear for memorable one-liners.' * Observer * 'Rather fun...unguarded, unpolished and often quite funny.' * Telegraph * '...a fabulous book...[Antonia Fraser is] a natural-born conjuror of lost realities... Exemplary, unparalleled, and peerless.' -- Sebastian Barry