Michael Bar-Zohar Books In Order

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books

About Michael Bar-Zohar

Michael Bar-Zohar is an Israeli author, historian, and former political figure. He wrote both fiction and nonfiction works, focusing on historical and political subjects. He was a spokesperson for the Israeli Defence Force in 1967. Following this, during the 1980s and early 1990s, he served in Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, representing the Alignment and later the Labor Party. His career spanned writing, research, and government service.

As a historian, Bar-Zohar sought to document events related to Israel and global affairs. His books include biographies and his studies of intelligence operations, wars, and political developments. In addition to his nonfiction, he also wrote novels, combining historical perspectives with fictional narratives. His work contributed to public discussions on history and policy.

In politics, he held a seat in the Knesset for over a decade, aligning with Israel’s center-left parties. His time in office coincided with significant events in Israeli history, including peace negotiations and regional conflicts. After leaving politics, he continued writing and remained a recognized public figure. His dual roles as a writer and politician maintained his profile in Israeli society.

Michael Bar-Zohar is known in Israel for his work as a historian, novelist, and former politician. His books cover historical and political topics, along with fiction. He served in the Knesset from the 1980s to early 1990s. These activities have contributed to his public recognition.

Early and Personal Life

Michael Bar-Zohar was born on January 30, 1938, in Sofia, Bulgaria. He moved to Israel in 1948 and completed his secondary education at High School Heh in Tel Aviv. He later studied economics and international relations at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem before earning a PhD from the Institute of Political Science at the University of Paris.

His early career included journalism, beginning as a science editor for Davar in 1958. From 1960 to 1964, he wrote for LaMerhav, an Israeli newspaper based in Paris. In 1967, he shifted to government work, serving as a spokesman for the Israeli Ministry of Defense.

After his government role, he entered academia, lecturing at the University of Haifa from 1970 to 1973. These experiences in journalism, public service, and education preceded his later work as a historian, novelist, and politician. His early life and career laid the foundation for his later public roles in Israel.

Political Career

Michael Bar-Zohar entered politics in the 1960s, joining Rafi when it was founded in 1965. After Rafi merged into the Alignment in 1968, he became a member of the Labor Party and later joined its central committee. His political career advanced when he was elected to the Knesset in 1981 as part of the Alignment’s list, serving on the Education and Culture Committee.

Though he lost his seat in 1984, he returned to the Knesset in 1988 and was appointed chairman of the same committee. Known as a political protégé of Moshe Dayan, he was seen as holding hawkish views within the Labor Party. His tenure ended after the 1992 election, when he lost his seat and did not return to parliament despite running in subsequent Labor primaries.

In 2008, he joined Yisrael Hazaka, a new party led by Ephraim Sneh. However, the party failed to secure any seats in the 2009 election. This marked the end of his direct involvement in electoral politics. His political career spanned several decades, reflecting shifting alliances and ideological positions within Israel’s center-left bloc.

Writing Career

Michael Bar-Zohar began his writing career as a journalist, winning the Sokolov Award in 1965 for his work. He later authored multiple books, including biographies of Shimon Peres and David Ben-Gurion, his studies on Israeli intelligence agencies, and a historical account of Bulgarian Jews rescued during World War II. His writings focused on political and security-related subjects, contributing to Israel’s historical discussions.

In 2010, he co-authored Mossad: The Great Operations with Nissim Mishal, which later faced scrutiny. An investigation by Haaretz alleged that portions of the book were copied from journalist Ronen Bergman’s works without proper attribution, including fabricated names for intelligence units and operatives. Bar-Zohar and Mishal acknowledged relying on Bergman’s research but stated it was to comply with military censorship. A settlement was reached, including financial compensation for Bergman.

Disputes continued when Bergman accused the authors of violating their agreement and attempted to block international publication of their book. In 2013, Bar-Zohar and Mishal filed a libel suit against Bergman, who later countersued for plagiarism, intellectual property theft, and defamation. Bar-Zohar has also written fiction, blending both history and thriller elements. His fictional writing often incorporated themes related to espionage, war, and Israeli society, although he remains better known for his nonfiction.

Mossad

The nonfiction book Mossad: The Greatest Missions of the Israeli Secret Service was co-authored by Michael Bar-Zohar and Nissim Mishal. It was published on November 6, 2012, by Ecco, an imprint of HarperCollins. The work examines historical operations conducted by Israel’s intelligence agency, presented as a factual account.

The book itself examines large operations in the agency’s history, including Adolf Eichmann’s capture and the Syrian nuclear facility’s destruction. Authors Michael Bar-Zohar and Nissim Mishal conducted research and interviews with Israeli leaders and agents to reconstruct these missions. The work presents accounts of high-risk operations that influenced Israel and global security. Former Israeli President Shimon Peres described it as revealing Israel’s often unseen strategic capabilities.

This book presents accounts of Mossad operations through Bar-Zohar’s research and interviews. It offers reconstructions of missions, providing another perspective.

Shimon Peres

The biography Shimon Peres: The Biography was written by Michael Bar-Zohar and published on February 27, 2007, by Random House. This nonfiction work provides an account of the Israeli statesman’s life and political career.

This biography chronicles the Israeli statesman’s political career, including his two terms as prime minister and Nobel Peace Prize. It documents his early life in Poland, immigration to Israel, and rise within David Ben-Gurion’s leadership circle. The book examines his military-industrial initiatives and later peace efforts, including the Oslo Accords. Author Michael Bar-Zohar drew on direct access to Peres and associates for this documented account.