Reviews
"Stephen Spector tells the riveting story behind the story of how the United States joined with Israel in the humanitarian effort that resulted in Operation Solomon. Against the dramatic backdrop of the transition from despotism to democracy in Ethiopia, the Falashas were willing to riskeverything in order to achieve their dream of living in Israel. Their story is an inspiration and a testament to the power of diplomacy, and of faith." --Brent Scowcroft, former U.S. National Security Advisor, "Operation Solomon is the best and most insightful account of theevacuation of the Beta Israel from war-torn Ethiopia to 'the promised land.'With access to the confidential files of the organizations and personalities whomade it happen, Spector guides the reader through a saga replete with intrigue,daring, and ultimate joy. The author does not resolve all the conflictingclaims or assertions in this complex history, but lays out the facts withscrupulous scholarship, allowing the reader to draw his own conclusions.Operation Solomon, obviously, was a labor of love for Spector and it resonatesin his artful and sensitive prose." --Robert Houdek, Chief of Mission, AmericanEmbassy in Ethiopia, 1988-1991, "Valuable...fascinating...crisply told.... Perhaps no story encapsulates both the promise and problems of Jewish migration to Israel better than the tale of the black Jews of Ethiopia."--Charles Lane, Washington Post Book World, "A meticulous, well-written account of the events leading up to and including the Israeli airlift of 14,310 Ethiopian Jews. The book has the ring of authority, and reads like a novelistic thriller. [Spector's] book is the most judicious and accurate record of Operation Solomon we are likely to get." --American Jewish History, "A meticulous, well-written account of the events leading up to and including the Israeli airlift of 14,310 Ethiopian Jews. The book has the ring of authority, and reads like a novelistic thriller. [Spector's] book is the most judicious and accurate record of Operation Solomon we are likely toget." --American Jewish History, "In his extensively researched and engagingly written book, StephenSpector uncovers the story of the airlift of Ethiopian Jews to Israel--a storyof intrigue, hardship, and amazing courage. An invaluable contribution to thestudy of modern Jewish history, Israel, and the Middle East." --Michael Oren,author of Six Days of War: June 1967 and the Making of the Modern MiddleEast, "An impressive exercise in forensic documentary, with skeletons pulled out of unknown closets, X-rayed, dusted, and added to our collective knowledge.... The pace of the narrative is that of a fast-moving thriller.... After launching an eight-year, tri-continental archival odyssey,meticulously reconfirmed in 200 interviews, Spector leaves no question unasked, and almost none unanswered."--Amir Shaviv, The Forword, "Operation Solomon is the best and most insightful account of the evacuation of the Beta Israel from war-torn Ethiopia to 'the promised land.' With access to the confidential files of the organizations and personalities who made it happen, Spector guides the reader through a saga replete withintrigue, daring, and ultimate joy. The author does not resolve all the conflicting claims or assertions in this complex history, but lays out the facts with scrupulous scholarship, allowing the reader to draw his own conclusions. Operation Solomon, obviously, was a labor of love for Spector and itresonates in his artful and sensitive prose." --Robert Houdek, Chief of Mission, American Embassy in Ethiopia, 1988-1991, "Spector describes the tense negotiations among Israelis, Ethiopians andAmericans, which became increasingly urgent as time ran low and danger mounted.He highlights the secret deals and sudden setbacks that nearly aborted themission at the eleventh hour."--Jerusalem Post, "A meticulous, well-written account of the events leading up to and including the Israeli airlift of 14,310 Ethiopian Jews. The book has the ring of authority, and reads like a novelistic thriller. [Spector's] book is the most judicious and accurate record of Operation Solomon we are likely to get." --American Jewish History"Spector recounts the events leading up to the operation and its aftermath with excitement and aplomb, and in exquisite detail." --Studies in Contemporary Jewry, "Finally the saga of Operation Solomon, the remarkable rescue of 14,000 Falashas, the Black Jews of Ethiopia, has been meticulously researched and accurately told. Stephen Spector tells the story in a manner so riveting that readers will find this book hard, indeed almost impossible to putdown. It's a wonderful story and this book is a service to the history of the event." --Rudy Boschwitz, former U.S. Senator, Minnesota, "Valuable...fascinating...crisply told.... Perhaps no story encapsulatesboth the promise and problems of Jewish migration to Israel better than the taleof the black Jews of Ethiopia."--Charles Lane, Washington Post Book World, "Spector describes the tense negotiations among Israelis, Ethiopians and Americans, which became increasingly urgent as time ran low and danger mounted. He highlights the secret deals and sudden setbacks that nearly aborted the mission at the eleventh hour."--Jerusalem Post, "In his extensively researched and engagingly written book, Stephen Spector uncovers the story of the airlift of Ethiopian Jews to Israel--a story of intrigue, hardship, and amazing courage. An invaluable contribution to the study of modern Jewish history, Israel, and the Middle East."--Michael Oren, author of Six Days of War: June 1967 and the Making of the Modern Middle East, "Operation Solomon describes vividly and meticulously the 1991 rescue of 14,000 Ethiopian Jews from the throes of civil war and misery in Addis Ababa. Fantastic by any standard, Operation Solomon is a shining beacon in the dramatic saga of Jewish ingathering, perhaps the most authenticrealization of Zionism. The author has skillfully knitted together all aspects of this unique, complex venture. As one of the Operation's architects I can vouch for the accuracy of his description; by reviving the story Spector has indeed scored a major achievement." --Reuven Merhav, former DirectorGeneral, Israeli Ministry for Foreign Affairs
