I bought this book for a family member who as a child took part in the Exodus. I personally didn't think it would be very interesting, it covers such a seemingly minor event in World War II history in such detail, I assumed it would be banal. I was wrong. Not only did the Exodus directly shape the course of the war, the book is hugely educational, entertaining, and even relevant to today.

Diamond has a novelists sense of building a story so that by the time the Nazi's invade you feel ready to flee along with everyone else. The story is mainly told through the direct quotes of about a dozen people, of which we have excellent records. The first few chapters deal with the build-up and then Exodus. Then there is an excellent history of how and why the French government split into the Vichy government and the government in exile - this has always been confusing to me and now I understand it was largely in direct consequence of the Exodus.

The lessons of mass hysteria and propaganda are clear - sometimes everyone else really is wrong, and the safest thing to do is go against the grain. I live in the DC region and after the 9/11 attacks I often wonder what a mass evacuation would be like. Clearly, the first decision is whether to leave home at all when there is mass confusion and conflicting instructions from authorities, the road can be more dangerous than staying home. Assuming one leaves, the number one lesson is always keep your family together, never separate, even for a brief time, and have lots of food and water and gasoline. ( )