Living in Palestine as the wife of the British Attorney-General, Helen Bentwich was immersed in the politics and society of the early years of the British Mandate. Despite her connections she remained in some ways an outsider - a critical observer, writing candid weekly letters to her mother that give insight into the cauldron of races and traditions, the intolerance and the idealism, that lie behind the history of 20th-century Palestine and the foundation of the state of Israel. The selection of her letters in this book mixes political comment with details of personal life and gossip. The gossip reveals a society that has gone, but the political and religious problems are familiar today. Her family were well aware of the situation in Palestine, and she wanted to amuse rather than alarm them, but the frustrations and worries break through the letters' superficial cheerfulness to provide a picture of the period.

Living in Palestine as the wife of the British Attorney-General, Helen Bentwich was immersed in the politics and society of the early years of the British Mandate. This selection of her letters to her mother mixes political comment with details of personal life and gossip.

About the Author
Jennifer Glynn has edited the letters, keeping their spontaneous and free ranging character, and has written some personal, political and social background.


Book Information
ISBN 9781860643491
Author Helen Bentwich
Format Hardback
Page Count 224
Imprint I.B. Tauris
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC