For several reasons, I have never really been a big fan of memoirs. As a student of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s political vocation, I was nevertheless to dive enthusiastically into his autobiography, whose title is simply Bibi: My Story (Threshold Editions). I was not disappointed, because “Bibi” marshalled all his legendary talent as a communicator to convey the chapters of his life.

I could evoke his conservative philosophy – notably expressed in his revulsion when confronted with the “absurd bureaucracy” preventing the Prime Minister’s Office from getting a new Nespresso coffee machine for six months – his numerous dealings with world leaders from Ronald Reagan to Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump or even the Herculean task of overcoming his detractors and would-be political assassins. I could also mention his admirable historical knowledge and his significant affinity with the Bible and its landscape. Or the care he took to maintain a deep and lasting relationship with the Likud members – an essential ingredient in his political longevity. Maybe I should also have taken the time to explore the influence of Ze’ev Jabotinsky’s “Theory of Public Pressure” on his career. However, the focus of this review is to extract the main lessons – we could call them rules – from his absorbing journey.

Whether we like him or not, there is plenty of inspirational material in the career of the longest-serving Israeli Prime Minister. You can’t and you don’t reach the pinnacle of power without exceptional and rare qualities. As a military enthusiast, I found the chapters devoted to his military service, notably as a soldier and commander in the élite commando unit of Sayeret Matkal – to offer some of the most revealing content. Between the covers, Benjamin Netanyahu notably admits that he’s a fan of David Stirling and the British SAS, a definitive plus for him.

In the tradition of books like Rumsfeld’s Rules or documents like Colin L. Powell’s Thirteen Rules of Leadership,I thought it was pertinent to bring you with me on the path of exploring the wisdom contained in this exceptional memoir.

So, here are the Netanyahu rules.

“Most of the people I have known who achieve big goals follow up on small details.”

“Don’t fudge your tasks and don’t compromise with results.”

“Get out of dangerous traps as soon as you can.” A lesson learnt during his military service, but which served on many occasions during his political life.

“In war, reputations evaporate, only character holds.” That lesson was entrusted to him by his legendary brother Yoni.

“In war, setbacks often divide; successes usually unite.” As a former soldier and current warlord, Netanyahu knows a thing or two about it. He’s also aware that political victories are often more important than military ones.

“You have to start with the bagels.” This funny rule emanates from an occasion when a younger Netanyahu started to speak in front a group while people were interested about what was on their plate, namely their bagels and the cream cheese they could spread on it. Then and there, he learnt the cruciality of establishing a connection with people before anything else.

“Say something clear or say nothing at all.”

“Son, don’t get crucified on a small cross.” That advice was given to Netanyahu by then-future President Joe Biden, and I found it to be extremely evocative about the need to choose one’s battles and God knows Netanyahu has had his fair share.

“Passion and conviction are the foundation of strength, which is what most people look for in a leader.”

“Electoral defeat, personal or collective, is hard, but it’s not that hard. It helps if you remember that you escaped death several times and faced immeasurably greater personal tragedies.” At one point, his long-time collaborator Ron Dermer came to him with polling numbers indicating he would lose the 1999 elections to left-wing leader of the opposition Ehud Barak. “So what will you do”, asked the aide. “Lose”, came the reply. Simple as that. Throughout his career, Netanyahu had more than his fair share of bitter defeats, but he always came back against all odds. His political ascension and survival are unequalled.

“Power attracts, weakness repels.” Harsh, but true. If you doubt that truth, see how many people show up to support you when the going gets tough.

“Man, not earth, makes civilization.” I love it because I’m a long-standing member of the great men’s school of history.

I include a last one because of the current context of the war launched against Israel by Hamas terrorists last October 7^th: “The core of our conflict with the Palestinians [is] the persistent Palestinian refusal to recognize a Jewish state in any boundary.”

Considering the Abraham Accords which saw several Arab and Muslim countries recognize Israel and establish fruitful diplomatic relationships with Jerusalem and the discussions underway with Saudi Arabia (at least, before October 7), that observation is great food for thought in the current geopolitical context of the Middle East. Refusal to accept Israel’s existence and wanting its destruction is clearly not the path to peace.

This memoir provides the reader with the long, fluid, and eloquent story of a statesman who is among the most consequential in the world scene. Not a sentence is superfluous in that story encompassing the history of Israel since its rebirth in 1948.

The jury has not yet been assembled to assess the significance and legacy of the premiership of Benjamin Netanyahu. There’s no doubt about the fact that this book – which was written after he returned on Opposition benches in June 2021 and was completed before he came back at the helm of the country at the end of December 2022 – will serve as a prime source in that regard.

This riveting memoir belongs on the bookshelves of any serious student of leadership.

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Benjamin Netanyahu, Bibi: My Story, New York, Threshold Editions (Simon & Schuster), 2022, 736 pages.

Adria Iwasutiak and Harmeen Pannu of Simon & Schuster Canada were very kind to send me a copy of the book and I’m extremely grateful for their continued collaboration with this blog.