Golda Meir unexpectedly became Israel's Prime Minister—and the Western world's first female head of government—at the age of seventy. This gripping and authoritative biography of her extraordinary life draws on exclusive access to official papers, personal letters, and interviews with contemporaries to reveal Meir's magnetic personality, her defining role in the founding of Israel in 1948, and pivotal leadership during crises such as the 1973 Yom Kippur War. Drawing an often intimate portrait, Burkett traces Meir's personal life from birth in Ukraine to her formative years in the U.S, as well as the steep price she paid for her unwavering conviction amid Israel's turbulent struggles. Discover the legacy that shaped a nation and Middle Eastern politics."Burkett's meticulous research and vivid prose bring Meir's ironclad resolve to life."—The New York Times"Unflinching in its examination of Meir's triumphs and blind spots."—The Guardian"Definitive yet deeply humanizing."—The Times Literary Supplement"Riveting."—History Today"A masterful blend of political history and psychological insight."—The Washington Post"Grandmother of all battles… It was Golda who pulled victory from the jaws of defeat."—Sunday Times"Her engaging portrait of Meir shows history with a female, though not traditionally feminine, face." —Baltimore Sun"A solidly researched, highly readable portrait of a mesmerizing but, according to Burkett, ultimately lonely woman." —Publishers Weekly"Leavens the heavy-duty politics with intimate portraits of her personality . . . a welcome arrival to the history shelf." —Booklist"If anybody has written a better-researched, better-written biography [of Meir], I am unaware of it." —St. Petersburg Times