Our Israeli Diary: Of That Time, Of That Place - Hardcover

`A compelling mixture of charm, humour and wisdom.' * TLS * `A little gem of a book that offers a snapshot of Israel 30 years after independence; sharp insights into a range of characters from Shimon Peres to Jackie Kennedy.' * Jewish Chronicle * `Engaging...above all an interesting account of a time and a place.' * Financial Times * `Wise and witty...Fraser's personality shines through here: ever curious, good-natured, with an ear for memorable one-liners.' * Observer * `Rather fun...unguarded, unpolished and often quite funny.' * Telegraph * `...a fabulous book...[Antonia Fraser is] a natural-born conjuror of lost realities... Exemplary, unparalleled, and peerless.' -- Sebastian Barry

In May 1978 Harold Pinter and Antonia Fraser visited Israel at the time of the 30th Anniversary of Independence. It was three years after they first lived together; neither had set foot in Israel before. Based in Jerusalem, they toured many of the country's historic sites: from Bethlehem to the fortress of Masada, encountering future Prime Minister Shimon Peres, Mayor of Jerusalem Teddy Kollek, Jackie Kennedy and a long-lost cousin of Harold's on a kibbutz. It was a trip during which Pinter's feelings about his heritage emerged for the first time. As he said himself: `For the first time I feel Jewish'. This diary was kept daily by Antonia Fraser: the vivid narrative and descriptions (Antonia swimming in the Dead Sea while Harold had a beer) are leavened with humour, occasionally wry where Harold's quirks were concerned, and always tender. Above all, it is a unique picture of a time and place - and a touching insight into fifteen days in the lives of two writers, one Jewish, one Catholic, one a playwright and one a biographer, who were also a devoted couple.