Israel, My Beloved

Rating:
Summary: A Must-Read
Review: "Israel, My Beloved" helped me to understand Biblical prophecy, fulfilled and to be fulfilled, as I never have before. I also gained insight into the role of God's Chosen People. The book looks intimidating, with over 400 pages, but its characters were so captivating, its story so compelling, that I couldn't put it down, and finished in only 4 nights. Now I want to go back and read it again to deepen my understanding. Thank you, Kay Arthur, and praise God for opening my eyes and heart.

Rating:
Summary: Top 5 of my reading life...
Review: ....and I read incessantly. Arthur is a wonderful writer, and she brings Israel's history & future into clearer view than ever before. I could not put this book down and have shared it with at least 20 people since I read it 1-1/2 years ago. A must read for any Christian serious about their faith & Biblical knowledge.

Rating:
Summary: Baruch HaShem !
Review: Baruch HaShem ! Praise the Name of the Lord. This book gives a deeper understanding of the love of God. Being a Jew (a Jewish believer in Messiah Yeshua -- Jesus) this book touched me deeply. It tells the history of the Jewish people in a unique way. It also speaks of our own human nature. If this book cost 10 times more, it would still be worth every penny. I pray the book blesses you.

Rating:
Summary: Baruch HaShem !
Review: Baruch HaShem ! Praise the Name of the Lord. This book gives a deeper understanding of the love of God. Being a Jew (a Jewish believer in Messiah Yeshua -- Jesus) this book touched me deeply. It tells the history of the Jewish people in a unique way. It also speaks of our own human nature. If this book cost 10 times more, it would still be worth every penny. I pray the book blesses you.

Rating:
Summary: Long and dull
Review: Honestly, this book doesn't cut it. Several interesting things happen, but they are muted by scene changes and poor dialogue. The one thing that infuriates me the most about the book (which I closed mid-way) is that whenever a good conversation begins one of the characters has to leave. I don't know how time-driven ancient Israeli culture was, but I doubt people were checking their watches and running to the synagogue. I wish Kay had been more character focused and less history driven when she wrote this.

Rating:
Summary: Only half way through and love it!
Review: I am Jewish, yet I am not very religious. Lately I have been feeling the need to become closer to my religion... keep in mind, I am only 15. I am only half way through "Israel, My Beloved" and I have a greater understanding and sympathy for my heritage. While it is known that we are "the chosen people", sometimes I wonder if we are "the chosen people" to be persecuted all throughout time. I don't think many people understand what we, as a religion, have had to go through. I think this book was written incredibly well, and it portrays the history of Judaism in an awesome way. I wish more people would be open-minded and learn about different religions, rather than persecuting them. I already have a list of people I will be recommending this outstanding book to. Everyone should read "Israel, My Beloved"- it is truely a one of a kind book. A must read!

Rating:
Summary: Only half way through and love it!
Review: I am Jewish, yet I am not very religious. Lately I have been feeling the need to become closer to my religion... keep in mind, I am only 15. I am only half way through "Israel, My Beloved" and I have a greater understanding and sympathy for my heritage. While it is known that we are "the chosen people", sometimes I wonder if we are "the chosen people" to be persecuted all throughout time. I don't think many people understand what we, as a religion, have had to go through. I think this book was written incredibly well, and it portrays the history of Judaism in an awesome way. I wish more people would be open-minded and learn about different religions, rather than persecuting them. I already have a list of people I will be recommending this outstanding book to. Everyone should read "Israel, My Beloved"- it is truely a one of a kind book. A must read!

Rating:
Summary: A major disappointment
Review: I bought this book to read on a trip to Israel. What really bothered me was her treatment of Jesus as Messiah. She never states it, not even when He returns at the end. There was a significant opportunity to witness here, and she failed to come close. Also, she is not fair in her portrayal of Christians pertaining to the Jewish people. Yes, there was systematic persecution at the hands of supposed Christians. This is historic and undeniable. And she does portray the heroic efforts of true Christians to help during the holocaust. But no mention is made of our current era...with Christians supporting Israel in many, many, ways. So, although the book was well written and clever I can't support it.

Rating:
Summary: A major disappointment
Review: I bought this book to read on a trip to Israel. What really bothered me was her treatment of Jesus as Messiah. She never states it, not even when He returns at the end. There was a significant opportunity to witness here, and she failed to come close. Also, she is not fair in her portrayal of Christians pertaining to the Jewish people. Yes, there was systematic persecution at the hands of supposed Christians. This is historic and undeniable. And she does portray the heroic efforts of true Christians to help during the holocaust. But no mention is made of our current era...with Christians supporting Israel in many, many, ways. So, although the book was well written and clever I can't support it.

Rating:
Summary: A serious subject: the history of Israel
Review: I found this book almost impossible to put down. It was exciting and well written. However, it is historical fiction, and is based on the history of the nation of Israel. When you take a moment to consider how tragic this history is (the Jewish people have been repeatedly and systematically brutalized throughout the ages), you'll realize that this book is very serious indeed. I found myself feeling very unsettled, and even having nightmares. My advice: buy it, but read it prayerfully.