I Am Cyrus - Craig Von Buseck - A Short Summary & Review

 I Am Cyrus: Harry Truman and the Rebirth of Israel - Craig Von Buseck - A Short Summary & Review

By: a.d. elliott | Take the Back Roads - Art and Other Odd Adventures

A Rite of Fancy Book Recommendation and Review

The story behind the rebirth of the modern state of Israel.

A short summary:

I Am Cyrus examines the events and individuals behind the rebirth of the modern State of Israel following World War II. Craig von Buseck focuses especially on the role of U.S. President Harry S. Truman, tracing how political pressure, moral conviction, biblical literacy, and historical circumstance converged in a pivotal moment of global history.

The book situates Israel’s founding within a wider geopolitical context, exploring the legacy of the Holocaust, postwar diplomacy, and the competing interests of global and regional powers. It presents the story not as inevitability, but as a series of consequential decisions made under extraordinary moral and political strain.

My favorite quote from the book:

"I had faith in Israel before it was established, I have faith in it now."

- Harry Truman, I Am Cyrus

Questions to ponder while reading:

How should the re-creation of a state be accomplished?

Have you ever wanted to go to the Holy Land?

My review:

This is an engrossing and well-researched account of a moment that continues to shape global politics. I Am Cyrus balances narrative momentum with careful documentation, making complex diplomatic history accessible without oversimplifying it.

One of the most startling elements of the book is its discussion of Arab-Nazi collaboration during World War II, a historical reality that is rarely addressed and deeply complicates common narratives of the era. That revelation alone makes this a challenging and illuminating read.

Beyond politics, the book invites reflection on leadership and conscience. Truman emerges not as a flawless figure, but as one willing to act decisively in a moment when hesitation would have carried its own moral cost. Reading this only deepened my desire to visit Israel someday, to better understand the land, the history, and the tensions that still echo from these formative years.

_____________________________________________________________________________

About the Author
a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller traveling through life

She shares her journeys at Take the Back Roads, explores new reads at Rite of Fancy, and highlights U.S. military biographies at Everyday Patriot.

You can also browse her online photography gallery at shop.takethebackroads.com.

✨ #TakeTheBackRoads

Enjoyed this post? Support the adventure by visiting my sponsors, shopping the gallery, or buying me a cup of coffee!