A historian’s view of the relationship between American history and the American film industry, this book is a witty and perceptive account of Hollywood and its films in the years from the outbreak of the Second World War in Europe to the end of the war in Korea, It describes how film makers and their industry were shaped by and responded to the strong political and social stimuli of wartime America. The author examines the recurring question of whether the movies were a reflection of the society in which they were produced, or whether by virtue of their undeniable propaganda power the films shaped that society. Combining evidence from literary, visual and oral sources, he covers a wide range of movies, emphasising in particular Casablanca, Mrs Miniver, The Best Years of Our Lives and Since You Went Away. In addition to placing the films in a social and political context, the author shows that Hollywood is a perfect example of the bone-headed way in which people behave when they are dealing with large amounts of money and power. Enjoyably nostalgic, this book will appeal to film enthusiasts as well as those interested in war and its effect on society.

Product Description: Israel's relations – or lack of them – with Muslim countries throughout the Middle East and the Islamic world are subject to repeated analysis and scrutiny in both the media and academia. But what have previously been less examined are Israel's relationships with the rest of world: from the former colonial states of Britain and France to the superpowers of the US and Russia and to emerging and regional powers such as China, India and Brazil...read more

Product Description: Permission to speak, Sah!In the aftermath of the Second World War, over two million men were conscripted to serve in Britain's armed services. Some were sent abroad and watched their friends die in combat. Others remained in barracks and painted coal white...read more

Product Description: Colin Shindler's remarkable history begins in 1948, as waves of immigrants arrived in Israel from war-torn Europe to establish new cities, new institutions, and a new culture founded on the Hebrew language. Optimistic beginnings were soon replaced with the sobering reality of wars with Arab neighbours, internal ideological differences, and ongoing confrontation with the Palestinians...read more

Product Description: A groundbreaking look at life as a conscript during Britain's postwar National Service, as told by the men who served A fascinating account of life as a national serviceman between 1950 and 1963, based on the author's interviews with between 15 and 30 servicemen...read more

Why has the European Left become so antagonistic towards Israel? To answer this question, Colin Shindler looks at the struggle between Marxism-Leninism and Zionism from the October Revolution to today.Is such antagonism in opposition to the policies of successive Israeli governments? Or, is it due to a resurgence of anti-Semitism? The answer is far more complex. Shindler argues that the new generation of the European Left was more influenced by the decolonization movement than by wartime experiences, which led it to favor the Palestinian cause in the post 1967 period. Thus the Israeli drive to settle the West Bank after the Six Day war enhanced an already existing attitude, but did not cause it.Written by a respected scholar, this accessible and balanced work provides a novel account and analytical approach to this important subject. Israel and the European Left will interest students in international politics, Middle Eastern studies, as well as anyone who seeks to understand issues related to today's Left and the Arab-Israeli conflict.

Product Description: Before the Thai millions and Abu Dhabi billions, Manchester City was always a club that attracted fierce controversy. July 1965: Manchester City are on the scrapheap, managerless and languishing in Second Division mediocrity. Desperate to reverse the club's fortunes, the board turns to Joe Mercer, a respected football veteran hungry for a final chance to achieve management glory...read more

Product Description: When Jack Gilbert, the hottest star of the silent era of Hollywood, first met Greta Garbo, the icy young Swede, she snubbed him. Not long after, Louis B Mayer, head of MGM, forced them to work together in a film. He felt that the young starlet who lit up the silver screen could only benefit by playing alongside Gilbert...read more

The tragedy of Zionism was that it arose during the same period of history as Arab nationalism. Our perception of what it stood for and how it came about has been shaped by the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. This book explains the evolution of Zionism as a unique ideology and provides a perceptive analysis of its ideas.

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Colin Shindler recalls the problems of growing up in an Orthodox Jewish family in central Manchester in the 1950s and 1960s - as a Manchester City fan, permanently under the shadow of Manchester United.

Product Description: First published in 1996. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

Product Description: A critical appraisal of the right-wing Likud government's rule in Israel from 1977-1992. The different ideological origins of both Begin and Shamir are examined, as well as how far they were influenced by pre-war nationalist models in Pilsudski's Poland and Mussolini's Italy...read more

Product Description: This book traces Israel's transformation from a pioneering collective into its troubled present state. It examines the effect that the Palestinian problem has had on the Israeli state and its society.The book explores the nature of Zionist radicalism and shows how it was strengthened by the opposition to the Camp David accord, and the polemics that have raged over the territory captured during the Six-Day War...read more