In this new and revised edition of his definitive history of the subject Colin Shindler uses original research to challenge the conventional wisdom that Begin was the natural heir to Jabotinsky. Drawing on hitherto unpublished sources he demonstrates how Israel drifted away from Jabotinsky's ideas towards a maximalist Zionism because Begin's very selective interpretation of his mentor's words did not reflect Jabotinsky's intentions. This invaluable addition to the study of Israels political history will appeal to both Middle Eastern and military historians, as well as anyone with an interest in the defining conflict of the current and, undoubtedly, future generations.