An influential statesman on Israel's diplomatic front, from the early period of statehood into the present, Eban offers personal comments on Zionism, the Third world, the role of American Jews and the State of Jerusalem. he believes the first decades are viewed as a period when faith overtook reason and leaders followed a vision. he suggests that today's young people look back at the structure and texture of the state, even as they forge ahead.

Beginnings -- Palestine in World War I -- London 1946-1947 : the year of discontent -- The first breakthrough, 1947 -- Success at lake success -- The end of exile -- The morning after May 15 -- When is a state not a state?: July to December 1948 -- Our flag was now there -- A Jerusalem interlude, 1949-1950 -- First steps in Washington -- New regimes, 1953-1956 -- Explosion at Suez, 1956-1957 -- Homeward bound, 1959 -- First ministerial years -- The new prime minister -- Once more unto the brink -- To live or perish, 1967 -- Paris, London, Washington -- Days of salvation -- The golden summer -- Unhappy aftermath -- The storm before the storm, 1967-1970 -- Could there have been peace? -- 1973: the year of wrath and judgment -- Geneva, 1973 and after -- Disengagement -- Disengagement and peace, 1974-1980 -- Tumultuous decade : the 1980s -- Retrospect and prospect.