Rating: 
Summary: Unanimous Praise Surprising
Review: The unanimous praise for Johnson's book on Jewish history seems more informed by its accessibility than by its analysis or depth of argument. Johnson cites Biblical passages written generations after the events they describe (and edited by more generations) as if they were verbatim transcripts. His arguments are often conclusory, suggesting a journalist's desire to cover his ground quickly. His source materials are voluminous and he has done much work, but his reach exceeds his grasp. He considers little of the available material on his subject from archeology, sociology or anthropology. He keeps to a traditional narrative (the eternal victim role for the Jews), that is tinged with the fervor and filter of a Christian convert. James Carroll, in his valuable work, Constantine's Sword, may circle for paragraphs before reaching a conclusion. Norman Cantor may challenge more devout, conservative or less critical thinkers with his deeply informed but cynical or personal judgments. Johnson simply assures his readers that they have accompanied him on a 4000 year journey and that they have arrived safely home.
Rating: 
Summary: Moving Work of History.
Review: A truly well written, readable historical work. Johnson is a phenomonal story teller, with a gift of great research skills. Reading this book will truly enrich any true lover of well written history. This is not a book about religion, or about a certain people, this is a book about eternal truth.
Rating: 
Summary: Another great narrative history by Paul Johnson
Review: Johnson's sweeping narrative history is easy to read and hard to put down. I also recommend the author's other books- The History of the American People, Modern Times and The Quest for God.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting, Tragic, and redeeming
Review: I would have to disagree with the Seattle reviewer and the New York reviewer who is in agreement that this book is a simplistic polemic. Paul Johnson is a gifted writer whose histories are extraordinarily well researched. It is his point of view that you are paying for, and if you find it unfulfilling simply turn to the bibliography and do the research yourself, if you possess the intellectual fortitude. A History of the Jews is a moving narrative of religious, secular, and intellectual histories struggling against and with each other. It is about the effect and importance of continuously sustained convictions and the irreconcilable State they guarantee. A History of the Jews is for those of us who want not only to learn and understand history but to feel it as well.
Rating:
Summary: Surprisingly fast read
Review: When someone recommended this book to me, I could not see sitting down and actually reading it like a regular book. It's a textbook, you think, Judaism 101 at Catholic University. Anything but. Johnson tackles sticky issues -- some are sticky to Jewish establishment, like a mirror showing a bit of crumb above the upper lip of a truly pleasing face. But more issues are sticky to Christian establishment, as he forthrightly addresses contradictions and problems in Christian theology. That is not his goal, however, as the book is not about Christendom. Yet it will make Christians squirm. When you're done reading the book, there is a sense that you have taken a beginner's course on the essence of humanity. Coupled with a true and meaningful appreciation for the kaleidoscope of the subset that identifies Jewishly. While I believe Christians need to read the book to (finally) understand a Judaism they have alternately idealized or villified, observant Jews need to read it even more -- for the embrace of the whole and the dance of the heart that is communicated in what could have been dry, dusty prose.
Rating:
Summary: A must reading for potential converts!
Review: A History of the Jews was only the second book on Jews that I had read; the first was "A History of God," which made me curious about them. Paul Johnson's book, however, provided the information I needed to set "my record" straight before I even contemplated converting to Judaism. This book also enabled me to identify and examine my own anti-semitism, so embedded in my psyche since youth that I was oblivious to it. By the end of the book I realized that some of the stereotypes of Jews are grounded in fact, although popular conceptions distort the underlying basis of that origin. This book is a must reading, not only for potential converts, but for anyone open to examining their personal views of Jews and Judaism.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best histories of the Jews
Review: I have read histrories of the Jews by at least half a dozen authors and I rate Johnson's as the best. Just as he successfully captured the character of the American people in "A History of the American People," so too, he captures the essence of Judaism, it's culture and history. What is remarkable about these two works is he is not an American (he's English) nor Jewish (he's Roman Catholic) yet observing from the "outside," he does great justice to both America and to Jews. I consider myself to be well versed in Jewish history and traditions. I am well read on the subject and, indeed, I have taught a college course in Judaism (at Marymount College in Tarrytown, NY). I find Johnson's views to be insightful and his facts to be laid out with no glaring errors. Starting in prebiblical times and continuing to the present, he tells a remarkable story. If you read only one history of the Jews, you would do well to select this one.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book, chapters needed to be subdivided.
Review: I don't know that one could write a comprehensive book on one topic, but this comes very close. Although at times plodding Johnson covers Jewish history from beginning to current. I learned a ton about the Jewish faith and people and I felt that I was getting a balanced fair discussion without propaganda. Other than the at times plodding narrative the only other problem with this book is that the chapters go for 100 pages without any subdividing. Johnson needed to break these long chapters down to make them easier to digest, and to make it easier to stop reading and rest. It was very easy to get lost in the chapter that is why it needed some subdividing of topics. Anyway, the book is wonderful and a must read!
Rating:
Summary: This is a nice piece of work.
Review: Isn't it funny that one of the best available one-volume histories of the Jews was written by a non-Jew? Maybe, maybe not. At any rate Paul Johnson has delivered a tremendous piece of work here. Johnson himself is Roman Catholic and, as other reviewers have noted, seldom lets the reader forget it. He also likes to drop words like "fissiparous" and "minatory" into his text, sending readers scurrying for their dictionaries to learn that Johnson has indeed chosen just the right term. But his opinions are clearly identified as opinions, his history is solid, and his understanding of Jewish tradition should be the envy of liberal Jews everywhere. If you plan to buy a single volume on Jewish history, this is the one to get. The world needs more tub-thumping conservatives like Johnson. Long may he write.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Overview of Jewish History
Review: An excellent overview of Jewish histroy from Adam and Eve to Israel in the 80's. Yes, Paul Johnson is opinionated and does not hesitate to share his opinions--but unlike most historians, it is obvious when he is proclaiming his opinon--he does not subtely insert it into the account as though it were fact. This is a more honset approach to history; so that you can accept or reject his opinions and glean the history that interests you. And the history is there: Paul Johnson is probably the most widely read historian today.
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