Top Picks for 2024: Must-Read Books on Judaism, Israel, and Global Issues

I enjoy sharing books with others, which was the genesis of this annual list. Six previous reviews have included monographs by Rabbis Asher Weiss, Haim Sabato, Jonathan Sacks, and Steven Pruzansky, and thinkers or public figures such as Benjamin Netanyahu , Gil Troy, Henry Kissinger, Natan Sharansky, among others. Below is my latest list of top recommendations for your reading pleasure.

Top novels of 2024, listed in order

Judaism: A Love Story by Rabbi Shlomo Riskin (Koren-Maggid). By weaving tales and fervent persuasion, Riskin guides his audience through "an everlasting love affair between the Jewish people and their merciful deity." He explores the origins of Jewish ethical principles via stories from the Hebrew Bible, contending these form the foundation of the country’s quest for moral integrity and empathetic uprightness. This work essentially culminates Riskin’s distinctive path and persona.

Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Jew: Understanding the Insights from Anti-Semitism By Rabbi Raphael Shore (Beverly House). A study on anti-Semitism aimed at those striving for a fair and ethical society. Shore encourages Jews to strengthen their commitment to Judaism with assurance and hope as a countermeasure against such hatred. antisemitism His compelling new documentary film, "Tragic Awakening," featuring Arab human rights advocate Rawan Osman, adapts the book into visual storytelling.

Themes in Torah: A Collection of Essays by Prof. Nathan Aviezer (Ktav). This professor of theoretical physics has published four famous books reconciling science and religion. Here, he offers 21 brilliant Torah-based homilies on topics that range from the central Shema prayer and the Exodus from Egypt to the problematics of prophecy.

Conceived in Hope By Dr. Chana Tannenbaum (Koren-Maggid), this work delves into biblical depictions of infertility to explore themes concerning women, motherhood, social positions, and gender dynamics within patriarchal structures. It also examines topics such as heritage and succession. The book’s sections oscillate between poignant and inspiring narratives, offering profound insights from both psychological and religious perspectives.

In a Yellow Wood: Chosen Tales and Writings Cynthia Ozick presents this collection published by Everyman’s Library/Penguin Random House. She stands out as one of America’s foremost writers and remains an insightful voice among Jewish authors even at the age of 97. This compilation brings together over six decades worth of her work—novels, short stories, essays, critiques, poems, and dramas—all characterized by her signature blend of mythology, personal recollections, imaginative storytelling, and societal critique expressed through eloquent prose. I admire her not only for her incisive analysis of modern perspectives regarding Jews and Israel but also for being a beloved companion.

When the Stones Speak: The Extraordinary Unveiling of Jerusalem's City of David and Why Israel's Adversaries Wish It Remained Hidden By Doron Spielman (Center Street), this book recounts the rediscovery of the ancient City of David in Jerusalem and provides strong evidence supporting the Jewish people’s historic and native ties to the Holy Land. It effectively counters arguments from Palestinians and others who deny these connections and makes for an engaging read.

The Attack on Judaism: The Existential Threat Is Emerging from the West by Gol Kalev (Hill Post). In this argument, the author contends that the assault on Judaism The influence from the West is quickly becoming a menace to U.S. national security and worldwide stability. He proposes a significant change in approach—a renewed dedication to Herzlian Zionism at the heart of Jewish belief—that could safeguard Judaism while also contributing positively to humanity.

On Democracies and Death Cults: Israel and the Future of Civilization By Douglas Murray (Broadside). Murray stands out as one of the foremost courageous advocates for Israel in recent times. In his work, he juxtaposes Israel’s democratic values against Hamas' autocratic tendencies, radical ideologies, and their preference for destruction rather than preservation. He also sheds light on how Islamist groups exploit the humanitarian principles of Western societies to propagate their messages. This book makes for an intense, distressing yet essential read.

The Builder’s Stone: How Jews and Christians Constructed the West – and Why Only They Can Rescue It by Melanie Phillips (Wicked Son). This brilliant Briton argues that Christianity and Western civilization can survive division, decadence, and demoralization only if they learn lessons in resilience and faith from Judaism and the State of Israel . Otherwise, their fall to radical secularism and Islamic barbarism is not far off.

The Struggle for the Jewish State: How Both Israel and America Can Triumph By Victoria Coates (Encounter). This ex-Trump administration national security official (currently with the Heritage Foundation) criticises the Biden administration For deserting Israel and the significant civilizational struggle, he contends, similar to Melanie Phillips, that we are engaged in an extensive military and cultural conflict which needs to be victorious—not just for Israel’s sake but also for that of the United States.

Anti-Semitism 2.0: The Latest Manifestation of an Ancient Hate and How to Address It By Jake Wallis Simons (published by Constable), this outstanding author—who previously served as the editor of The Jewish Chronicle in London—examines biased reporting and extreme monitoring of Israel, which frequently escalates to an unhealthy fixation and severe vilification. He follows these issues back through their roots in medieval European and Stalinist anti-Semitism all the way up to contemporary times. His upcoming work will delve further into this subject. Will There Be No Repeat? The Western World’s Broken Promises to the Jews and Its Own People , will see release in September.

Hamas's Approach of Using Human Shields in Gaza By Maj. Andrew Fox and Salo Aizenberg (Henry Jackson Society), this crucially significant report—nearly reaching book length—reveals how Hamas has exploited the civilian populace in Gaza throughout the last 19 months as part of an effort to wage a worldwide informational campaign against Israel. According to the authors, transforming Gaza’s cityscape into a battlefield aimed at causing maximum harm among civilians and undermining Israel’s legitimacy internationally isn’t accidental; rather, it forms a fundamental principle within Hamas’s military strategy.

The Giants of the Twentieth Century: The Impact They Had on History and the Legacy They Left Behind by Prof. Michael Mandelbaum (Oxford). One of the great US foreign policy experts and political historians of our day, Mandelbaum offers eight historical portraits of the most influential figures of the twentieth century: Woodrow Wilson, Vladimir Lenin, Adolf Hitler, Winston Churchill, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Mohandas Gandhi, David Ben-Gurion, and Mao Zedong. Fascinating and incisive.

The Man Who Would Be King: Mohammed bin Salman and the Transformation of Saudi Arabia In her upcoming book published by Harper in July,Karen Elliott House provides an insightful look at Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman through extensive and privileged conversations with him as well as numerous individuals who support or oppose him. This revealing biography unveils MBS’s shrewd, contentious, yet assured persona. As a former journalist, the author offers a nuanced perspective on his complex journey. Wall Street Journal A publisher with over four decades of experience covering Saudi Arabia describes a Saudi leader as being akin to "both Peter the Great and Ivan the Terrible." (I was provided with advanced excerpts from the book).

The Might and Wealth: Grand Conflicts Between Presidents and Tycoons By Tevi Troy (published by Regnery), this esteemed presidential historian guides us through the most significant confrontations involving titans of industry such as John D. Rockefeller, Mark Zuckerberg, Katherine Graham, and Elon Musk against U.S. presidents. The narrative unveils a complex network of influence wherein corporate giants depend on political figures, who conversely rely on these executives—a delicate balance where one misstep could lead to substantial repercussions. Ideal reading material for our present era under President Donald Trump.

The author serves as a senior fellow at the Jerusalem-basedMisgav Institute for National Security & Zionist Strategy. The opinions presented here are solely his. Over the last 28 years, he has penned columns focusing on diplomacy, defense, politics, and the Jewish world, which can be found on davidmweinberg.com.