This is one of the most interesting books I've ever read. It reads like a narrative non-fiction story, a page turner text book. It took a while to get through because every few pages I jumped onto the internet to research how Israel and the Middle East is impacting foreign policy today, in the US under the Trump administration, along with Syria, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt and other Arab nations. This is a must read for anyone who has an interest in how the Middle East is shaping our world. Six stars out of five!

Click on the BiblioCommons' Quotes tab for a key background assertion from the book's preface. The author, Ronen Bergman, a New York Times Magazine staff writer, is no enemy of Israel. In a recent profile ("Israeli reporter for ‘New York Times’ praises AIPAC at closed event: ‘You’ve got our backs’ ") Philip Weiss quotes him as follows: "You know, I've been all over the U.S. with AIPAC and it’s always a great pleasure, as an Israeli. I always tell AIPAC, you do so much in the U.S., and I know that Israel is not the spirit of where you work, but you need to do a little more to explain to Israelis how much they owe AIPAC. Israelis are not aware. I am aware… I know that you’ve got our backs. It's such a great feeling." Weiss has written a number of interesting posts on *Rise and Kill First* on *Mondoweiss*.

On one hand - this book screams/demands a ghostwriter. At times RISE AND KILL FIRST just seems to wonder around. A little more focus/editing would help.

On the other hand - if I knew someone was seriously running for president - this should be on his/her nightstand. It provides a detailed history of how the Middle East and Israel in particular got into the situation that it is in. It also could help formulate a plan that - while the killing will not end - there may be some ways to reduce the killing.