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.