A History of the Jewish People

Rating:
Summary: Bought it, not ownin it
Review: a fiend of mine studin Judaism has asked me to buy the book. me bein not an Xpert in the field i've just pop'd in the book - but loox like an ultimate refference to the topix. if YuR lookin for a guide on the topic - this is YuR pick!

Rating:
Summary: A Comprehensive Epic Story - But Not a Difficult Read
Review: It is the Jewish year 5764. It is a long time for one group of people to stay together following their religion through one era after another and still survive as a group - even without a homeland until recently in 1948 when Israel was founded as a formal Jewish state and democracy. So Jews are a fascinating group of people and frankly have made contributions to the arts and sciences well in excess as one might expect to their small numbers relative to other groups.

I found this to be an excellent and detailed book over 1000 pages long and going backing time to the first tribes of Israel. The book seems to have a few gaps but for the most part is a detailed and comprehensive review of the history of the Jewish people. I think it is equally weighted in terms of secular and religious Jewish ideas and culture.

A lot of effort is made to connect the history with various Jews that have made important social and scientific contributions. That pulls the book together and makes it a more interesting read.

Do not be put off by the length (thickness) of this epic book. It is well written without any slow spots and reads almost like a novel.

Four or five stars.

Jack in Toronto

Rating:
Summary: Lotsa info
Review: This is a very thick book of the history of the Jewish people. It's actually written like a college textbook. You can read the chapters covering what you find the most interesting, put the book away and read more another time, keep it on hand as a reference, whatever. But it's a really good book!