Izzy Ezagui, Disarmed and Ziv Koren, Snapshot

IZZY EZAGUI, Disarmed

On January 8, 2009, Izzy Ezagui--an American who had enlisted in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) at 19--lost his arm in a mortar attack on the border of the Gaza Strip. In this stirring and wryly humorous memoir, Izzy recounts his tortuous trek through rehabilitation to re-enlistment as a squad commander in the IDF where he became, famously, the world's only one-armed Special Forces sharpshooter. Don’t expect your typical war chronicle because this isn’t it. Izzy wrote this book for everyone facing life's daily battles. His message is universal: if a self-described "nerd" and "one-armed basket case" like him can accomplish what he set his mind to, then anyone can become a hero in his or her own life.                                                                                                                 

ZIV KOREN, Snapshot: The IDF as Never Seen Before

Famed Israeli photojournalist Ziv Koren was given exclusive access to the IDF, allowing him to show an unfiltered view of Israel's real war over its homeland -- from covert attacks in Syria and the battle against terror to defending the borders. His work also reveals the daily struggles for the advancement of women in the military, and to integrate the ultra-Orthodox, immigrants, and disadvantaged youth into special units of the IDF. Snapshot offers an unprecedented insider's view of some of the most exclusive and secretive IDF units offers us a rare glimpse into the inner workings of the IDF and the other security forces as they have never been viewed before.

About the Authors:

Izzy Ezagui, a decorated squad commander in the Israel Defense Forces, is the only soldier in the world who lost an arm in combat and returned to the battlefield. In 2011, former President Shimon Peres awarded him one of Israel's highest military honors. While he continues to serve in an elite unit in the reserves, Izzy delivers inspirational talks across the United States and internationally. He has appeared on Huffington Post Live, Al Jazeera America, and Fox News. Izzy also raises millions of dollars for hospitals, rehabilitation programs, and other charities, such as the Birthright Israel Foundation. He has worked with amputee organizations, schools, colleges, universities, hedge funds, and corporate events for companies such as Nike and Apple. He lives in Los Angeles, where he acts, writes screenplays, and wanders around with his dog, Punch.

Ziv Koren is Israel's premier photojournalist. Previously he worked as a photographer for Yediot Aharonot, and recently he has photographed for Yisrael Hayom and leading global media outlets. He is also Israel's representative for the Polaris photo agency. Koren has published seventeen books and displayed his work in dozens of exhibitions. His photos are regularly featured on the covers of major magazines in Israel and abroad and have won many international prizes. Koren is a popular lecturer on photography in Israel and around the world.