Hirsh Goodman's childhood in South Africa was white — and Jewish — in ways he did not initially appreciate. While the local culture brutally suppressed the black population, Hirsh and his friends marched off to Zionist Socialist meetings, full of rhetoric about equality, justice, and democracy — all within the context of Israel. By his midteens, Goodman could no longer ignore South Africa's anti-Semitism and racism. He soon left for Israel, never expecting that the promised land of his dreams would also prove to be riven by ethnic and religious conflict. It was after marching victoriously through the Sinai as a paratrooper in the Six-Day War that Goodman heard David Ben-Gurion on the radio warning that Israel must rid itself of its Arab territories lest it "become an Apartheid state," a warning that had a very specific meaning to the young soldier. Then, as a journalist, Goodman witnessed firsthand all of Israel's subsequent troubles, from frontlines, to occupied zones, to the summits that attempted to find even a temporary peace. Let Me Create a Paradise is a wise, warm, and wry memoir. It is one man's life story and the story of two divided nations in two different eras; the tragedies in their histories, and the hope that still exists for both of them. "Fascinating and readable... [Goodman's] ability to tell a tale hard to resist. We commend the book to you." -- Jerusalem Report , April 4, 2005 "Goodman's tone as he recalls... events is journalistic, humorous and to the point, and he is a convincing narrator." -- Washington Post Book World , June 12, 2005 "Hirsh Goodman and Israel came of age together, and this proud and poignant memoir shines a light on both." -- Glenn Frankel, author of Rivonia's Children "Shows how ... social forces and great political upheavals... have shaped the lives of the people caught up in them." -- Michael Mandlebaum, author of The Ideas That Conquered the World "[A] sharp, fast-moving insider's account of...Israel's recent history... Goodman is a trenchant writer with a sharp eye." -- Times Literary Supplement, July 22, 2005 "[An] excellent new memoir... If anyone can compare the old South Africa with the current Israel, it's Goodman." -- Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles , April 1, 2005 "[Goodman's] sharp insight, disarming honesty and quirky sense of humor shine through... A colorful account... A compelling and cozy read." -- Jerusalem Post , April 21, 2005 "[Goodman] presents people, incidents, stories in a very straightforward way and makes his point effectively... I recommend this book highly." -- Montreal Gazette , April 2, 2005 "a very moving, page-turning story of Goodman's personal life...Let Me Create a Paradise is a must read." -- The Cleveland Jewish News , November 10, 2005 Goodman's conscience continues to inform his journey as he participates in the growth of the dream that is Israel. -- Chicago Jewish Star, May 12, 2005 Hirsh Goodman was born in Port Elizabeth, South Africa in 1946. He immigrated to Israel in 1965 and since 1971 has been a journalist, starting as the military reporter for the Jerusalem Post , then as editor-in-chief of The Jerusalem Report . He has been a contributing editor to U.S. News & World Report , a contributor to the New Republic , and a news analyst for CBS News. He is currently a Senior Research Associate at the Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies at Tel Aviv University. He is married, has four children and lives in Jerusalem. Biography & Autobiography Religious