Panther in the Basement

Countries need writers as their voices of conscience; few have them. Israel has Oz. -- <em>Washington Post</em> <p/>The year is 1947: the last days of the British mandate in Palestine. Twelve-year-old Proffy indoctrinated by his patriotic father and a zealous Bible teacher dreams of dying heroically in battle fighting for the creation of a Jewish state. Then he meets and befriends a kindly British soldier who shares with Proffy a love of language and the Bible. Accused of treason for the friendship Proffy must learn the true nature of loyalty and betrayal. Panther in the Basement is a rich tapestry of character and political intrigue set against the birth of modern Israel. <p/>Insightful inventive and lyrical. -- <em>New York Times Book Review</em>