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The title apologises in advance for the narative. The book is a reflection of how one man tries to make sense of what the Bible says and the popular opinion of historians. Paul Johnson sides with contmporary opinion. His loyaly is with current academia and not with Bible accounts requiring faith. In this he succeeds. This is not a book to build your faith in the Torah. It is merely eloquent and well written contemporary historical opinion attmpting to explain the Torah. It seldomly requires the reader to entertain miracle or faith as an option. This is its downfall since the very definition of God and creation and miracles requires something other than rational explanation. I suspect that this book will date, as newer archeological findings and historical analysis are applied to an ancient People and Book. The modern stuff is better attested to by living eye witnesses. But his dealing with the ancient history is denigrading. I suggest reding the first five books of the Bible and comparing this to his opening chapter. Frankly the Torah has a ring of truth and conviction that has ensured its survival to the present.
I read this good book, here in Brazil.This book describes the history of jews since thousands of years ago, until some decades ago. The main problem of this book is to be very biased.Critics to jews are almost never showed.The jews seems to be (almost)ever correct. In Roman Empires, the author shows the jewish revolt as a failure, but he forgets the fact, that revolt wasn't just a bloodfull failure, but also a mistake.The massive support of famous and powerfull jews to communism(many countries), eugenics(many countries, including Germany) and racism (in USA) has no place, in this book. Please, I'm not an anti-semithist, but all peoples have its defects, criminals,etc.This book is good, but 100% biased.
This is a scholarly book, and as such, heavy reading. This is not a book to read on the beach or on a plane. For readers really wishing to understand the Jews better, this is the book.
The author traces the history of the Jews from the beginning of time. According to the author, the Jewish religion is the oldest monotheistic religion in the world still practiced today. It is older than Christianity and Islam. However, the author failed to mention Zoroastrians. Zoroastrianism is the religion based on the teachings of the prophet Zoroaster, and is in fact the oldest monotheistic religion still practiced today. Estimates have it at 20,000 followers in Iran and about 70,000 in India. It is estimated that about 100,000 people practice Zoroastrianism worldwide.
I really liked the story of the Rothschild family, and found that chapter the most intriguing of all.
Some chapters were very hard to follow, and I'm assuming the author assumes the readers have basic background knowledge of the subject. I certainly didn't, and found some chapters very hard to follow.
I have to admit I did skip a few chapters, for I found a lot of repetitious passages. I personally think the author should have written a condensed version for the layman, and kept this original print for the scholars. Maybe the audio version will abridge the book.
Overall I learnt a lot about the Jewish religion that I never knew before.
"Disappointing....."
2008-02-10
- Reviewed By User: A29D43E3R6JGEJ
This is a superbly written resource. No doubt about that. But that is really all it is. I'm not sure why Johnson bothered to write it. There is nothing new here. No insights that offer a clearer perspective on Jewish history. Its approach derives entirely from the mindset of the intellectual High Church establishment, so Paul Johnson is careful not to judge, not to offend, but also not to stick his neck out. As to the meaning behind the amazing Judaic phenomena - who knows what that is? This great historian apparently isn't concerned. But then again he is a professed "Christian" so maybe he feels the answers are self-evident.
"Received expeditiously!"
2007-12-07
- Reviewed By User: A3IAH52EW0MELH
The book arrived quickly and in excellent condition -- no damage in shipping. I Am delighted to add this to my personal reference library,and to recommend it as good resource material for the classes I teach.
"A History of the Jews"
2007-07-05
- Reviewed By User: A90299R5UWIHW
A History of the Jews is an excellent book to read and study. As a Christian it helps me to understand reading and studying the bible more clearly. I have always enjoyed history and I personally recommend this book.
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International Available
"Not THE History of the Jews"
"Good, but 100% biased"
"A scholarly book"
"Received expeditiously!"