Soccer Dad

Oren you really wanted to know

Slowly but surely Michael Oren's new book about the American connection to Israel - Power, Faith and Fantasy (and the Middle East) is getting more and more attention. Here's an introductory post at Jewlicious that points out

The timing of this book’s publication is prescient - there is much talk about both the Walt/Mearsheimer “research” and Jimmy Carter’s new bestselling book, but Oren’s work is really the most important rejoinder that anyone has offered. His thesis is that American investment in the region has nothing to do with an “Israel lobby” or some nefarious Jewish influence, but reflects a much deeper American concern for the Middle East and Zionism, a concern that is grounded in faith and shared values, and that stretches all the way back to America’s founding

Oren wrote an essay and a letter to the edtior distilling his thesis regarding the 'realist' view of the Middle East that's cited by Daled Amos.

One of those who is featured in Oren's book is a 19th century biblical scholar (and professor) George Bush. Elder of Ziyon presents a page of commentary from George Bush's bible as well as a pamphlet Prof Bush wrote on the "restoration and conversion of the Jews."

History News Network (Cliopatria) provides links to a couple of reviews of Oren's book.

Boker Tov Boulder links to a review by Jonathan Tobin.

Jewish Current Issues links to an interview of Oren (from Oren's website) by the Washington Post's former Israel correspondent Glenn Frankel.

Finally, Daled Amos points to an interview with Dr. Oren at the Wall Street Journal in which he applies some of what he's learned to analyzing the today's Middle East.

Blogdigger tags: Michael Oren, Middle East, Israel, Power, Faith and Fantasy.