Book Review: Naftali Bennett's 'True Hour' Falls Short of Revealing
A review of Ari Shavit's book "True Hour," which chronicles his extensive interviews with former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, argues that the work fails to uncover new insights into the politician. Despite 100 hours of conversation, Shavit reportedly struggled to elicit information beyond what was already publicly known or perceived about Bennett. The book touches on Bennett's past political aspirations, including a potential alliance with Gadi Eisenkot in 2026, and his reflections on past achievements like lowering yellow cheese prices. It also includes anecdotes about his domestic life, such as cooking pineapple chicken, which the reviewer finds trivial.
The review criticizes the book for lacking humor and for attempting to distance Bennett from his more controversial public persona, particularly his past comedic sketches. The book's cover image, depicting Bennett hugging a soldier, is described as overly sentimental and bordering on parody. While Bennett offers some criticisms of figures like Benjamin Netanyahu and Ayelet Shaked, the reviewer finds these remarks often lack depth or fail to fully address Bennett's own role in political events.
The reviewer notes that the book omits significant aspects of Bennett's political career, such as his relationship with Ayelet Shaked and his role in the political maneuvering that led to the downfall of his government. The recurring theme of "service" in Bennett's discourse is highlighted, with the reviewer suggesting it serves as a recurring slogan. The review also mentions Shavit's personal and professional struggles following sexual harassment allegations, suggesting a missed opportunity for literary exploration within the book.
Ultimately, the review concludes that "True Hour" functions more as a campaign tool for Bennett than a revealing biographical work. The book presents Bennett as a warm but perhaps overly accommodating figure, swallowed by the harsh realities of Israeli politics. The reviewer questions how many readers will engage with the narrative Bennett appears to inhabit.
