Rating: 
Summary: The greatest book ever written, period.
Review: This book has everything -- intriguing characters, love affairs, heroes and heroics, and it is all set against the background of the creation of Israel, one of the most profound, important, historic, and controvertial happening in history.
Rating:
Summary: a must read
Review: I loved the way fiction was blended with actual history.I couldn't put it down til the end.
Rating:
Summary: Unquestionably the greatest book I've have read.
Review: People, this book is beautiful. Forget about those who decry its "racist attitudes" towards the Arabs, its over-excited nationalism... This book is the heroic tale of the Jews and how we managed to build our country. This book is a masterpiece that will remind us Jews who we are and what we went through.
Rating:
Summary: Best book I have ever read...
Review: Ok, don't get me wrong... I agree with the other people's arguments that the Arabs are portrayed in a negative light. That aside, this has got to be the best book I've ever read. A great story about not only the birth of Israel, but the Holocaust as well. Although I am Jewish, non-Jews would definetely enjoy this book as well, because it is really just a story about one people's will to reclaim their nation. (Oh yeah, I thought that Kitty Fremont was a terrible character... no reason for her...)
Rating:
Summary: great first uris to read
Review: In Ari Ben Canaan, Leon Uris creates the kind of hero that calls Jung's archetype to mind. Ben Canaan is intelligent and resourceful. He has a delightful sense of irony. However, he also has his shadow. Uris creates a story based on historical fact. The author's Zionism determines a great deal of the action and characterization. However, this is an excellent read for anyone who is interested in post-World War II developments.
Rating:
Summary: Exciting and graphic account of the rebirth of Isreal.
Review: In the numerous times that I have read and reread this novel, I find myself a part of the story and the characters there in. It graphically depicts the life and struggles of a group of people to bring about the rebirth of their Nation, Isreal, after all the horrors and repeated attempts to annihalate them. I found it awe inspiring in the faith that these people had to have in order to survive despite the circumstances that they had to endure. Leon Uris was able to put into words the story of these people to bring it to the rest of the world, so that their story will never be forgotten; and with it the horrors of what man can do to his fellow man just because of hate and prejudice. The first time that I read this was in Jr. High long ago; and I feel that it should be amongst the books of required reading for all our youth either in Jr. or Sr. High. Perhaps this could open their eyes to what can happen when hate and prejudice takes over; and how people can conquer it and stand above it.
Rating:
Summary: It was compelling and full of morality.
Review: It was like I was actually in the story. Leon Uris dedpicted the characters so well. I can read this book again and again and still get chills!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Good, if you can get past rascist attitudes toward Arabs
Review: I've read Exodus many times since I first read it in jr. high, and have always been drawn into the story and the characters, in no small part because of the actual history behind the events in the book.I understand that Uris' historical accuracy isn't always perfect, and I can suspend my disbelief and get beyond that. However, in my latest rereading of the book I found myself offended by his portrayal of Arabs. On the surface, Uris excuses the 'unenlightened behavior' of the Arab population by attributing it to selfish, greedy, stupid leaders, and even seems sympathetic toward their plight, but I get the feeling that he believes that all Arabs are selfish, greedy, and stupid, and that the only smart thing they could do would be to put their fates into the hands of the Jews. This attitude is too simplistic and inexcusably ignorant. Uris' propoganda, and his determination to make the Arabs enemies of Israeli Jews takes away from what is otherwise an engrossing, exciting book. I would recommend it anyway, as long as the reader keeps a healthy dose of cynicism regarding his portrayal of Arabs. For anyone specifically interested in a longer (and better) account of the Warsaw Ghetto than Uris provides for Dov Landau's history, I would strongly recommend _The Wall_ by John Hersey.
Rating: 
Summary: Still crazy after all these years
Review: It is astounding how much loyalty this book can arouse despite its romancing of the conquest of another people. It is well told and in bringing accounts of the Holocaust home, it is good. But it damages its usefulness by appealing to the tunneled-visioned nationalist in romanticizing not the "rebirth" of anything (ancient Israel was not run by atheistic East European Socialists living on kibbutzes), but the conquest of another's homeland without their permission. Still works, however.
Rating: 
Summary: Rebirth of a state for a nation that was out of options.
Review: First of all, one must realize that a nation is defined by the people and the country (state) is defined by its political boundaries. The nations of Judah and Israel, having been scattered around the globe for centuries but not fully assimilated because of their faith, were constantly persecuted, to death in many instances. Being out of options except to return "home," then stand and fight, two firsts in the history of mankind took place. With the plow in one hand, and the sword in the other, a neglected land was resurected, wars and battles fought and won at great expense and investment of life and effort. The two firsts were the rebirth of a dead national state, and the second, which continues today, even in distant lands, is the resurection of a "dead" language. If this story is read with one eye on the story and one eye on Biblical prophesy, it will have a great impact and offer strong evidence that the hand of Almighty God is still hard at work in the affairs of men willing to work and fight for justice. "EXODUS" is not a particularly religious work, but for the religious man or woman, Jewish or Christian who understands the Judaic roots of Christianity, the story can have very deep religious significance.
|
