author of our time. The hero of With His Own Hands: Elik's Story (1951) is his brother Elik who fell in the War of Independence. The book became an icon of that war. Alik's Story was translated into English, adapted into radio plays, and even merited an adaptation for television. It is one of the greatest Israeli bestsellers of all time, selling to date over 150,000 copies. It became part of the program of study in schools. Under the Sun (1950) and That You Are Naked (1959) are autobiographical pieces based on his life in the thirties and forties. Shamir wrote additional books about the members of his family: With His Own Heart about his father, and Not Far From the Tree about his family history. Besides The King of Flesh and Blood, his most translated book was a children's book, The Fifth Wheel (1961). It is about the adventures of a kibbutznik, dispatched to bring a tractor from the port, who at every step meets various and sundry obstacles and adventures. Joseph Klausner was critical of The King of Flesh and Blood, whose central character is the Hasmonean king Alexander Jannæus. Menachem Begin recalled Klausner's words in a later day when Moshe Shamir, as a member of the Knesset, crossed the political lines from left to right to oppose the Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty. As the prime minister at the time, Begin spoke out against Shamir in the Knesset, indicating that Shamir's objections showed a lack of awareness of the historic moves taking place. He said to Shamir (in Hebrew): Certainly you recall that, in his day, the late Prof. Joseph Klausner wrote, when you published your book The King of Flesh and Blood, these words: "There may sometimes be a writer who is not a historian, but to such an extent?" And now I say: "There may sometimes be a politician who does not recognize the rustling wings of history, but to such an extent?" Moshe Shamir also wrote poetry. However, most of his trade was in prose. He was a prolific author, publishing more than 25 books in the course of his life. He died in Rishon LeZion at the age of 83. He was survived by his wife Tzvia. Political career He was active in Mapam. After the Six-Day War, similarly to the songwriter Naomi Shemer, he changed his political leaning. He became one of the creators