A comprehensive collection of personal accounts and eyewitness reports by and about significant personalities, as well as ordinary people and the events which led to the birth and growth of the State of Israel. these first-hand experiences and descriptions start in the mid 19th century. they tell of the beginnings of neighborhoods, cities, institutions, the day israel was born, aliya bet, mass immigration, and wars, and culminate with the signing of the peace treaty between egypt and israel. numerous black and white photographs supplement the personal stories.