"This book advances significantly our understanding of the way in which democracies operate in protracted security crises by focusing on the Israeli case (1948–1993) while comparing this case to others. It is a must for all those interested in Israeli and Mid-Eastern politics. Barzilai's highly diverse background in law and politics, international relations and comparative government, his close familiarity with the modern history of a number of different countries, and his unique ability to combine theoretical insights and close empirical inquiry make this volume uniquely important. " — Ilan Peleg, Lafayette College, President of Association for Israel Studies"The work is original and well written and is captivating reading. After the author offers his theoretical framework in the first chapter one is absolutely caught up in the tales he tells about how consensus and dissent gradually developed in each of several periods of national tension, and how they, in turn, affected the political climate of the day. The author uses many, many new sources, which should excite scholars in this area. There are a substantial number of interviews that are cited in this work, and much original archival and documentary material that is new. The work will be regarded as important." — Gregory S. Mahler, University of Mississippi