​How can one explain that Israel has not yet solved the century old question of Palestine?  

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​This book sheds light on Shimon Peres' political career. The life-long politician shaped Zionist Israel and its security-oriented political order from the 1950s until his last position as Israel's President from 2007 to 2014. Yet only little is known about his real contribution.  

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​The Israeli born historian reveals masterfully a seemingly contradictory political life: The Nobel Peace Prize winner is also the father of the secretive nuclear program; the politician who had no military record himself is nonetheless responsible for the militarization of state and society; the “man of peace” embodies Israel's inability to achieve a political solution with the Palestinians.  

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​While he tried to attain both security and legitimacy for the young state, he forged a militarized and militaristic Zionist polity and led to a depoliticized political culture. With this legacy he doomed Israelis and Palestinians to a state of constant war.  

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​Based on mostly Hebrew sources, this political-intellectual biography provides insights into one of the most controversial figures in Israel, with that into the roots of one of the most dangerous conflicts in contemporary history.