Exodus

Rating:
Summary: Emotion and reality
Review: If you want to learn your sympathies in the Israel / Palestine issue, read this book. If you feel threatened by it, you are probably sympathetic to the history of the Palestinians and Islam, who did in fact build their country and religious monuments on top of the ancient Jewish land. (the references to historical structures and places are all true) If you do not feel threatened, then you are probably sympathetic to the Jewish cause, or are a fairly neutral thinker who can face the reality that the Jews understood the purpose in work and eventually force to make such a land livable.

I read this book in one day because it was riveting. The writing is simple, but strong. The characters are somewhat simple, but they are not necessarily there to become an expose of the human psyche, but to tell the story of an era. They give it the human side in which all of history needs to be seen. They are individuals to show differing views, but they are also whole races to give a sociological kaleidoscope.

There is terrorism and wrongdoing on all fronts, but the setting given by Uris helps to explicate some of the causes that bring men to such ends. On the other hand, there is also a study in grace, when it goes on and when it reaches its human limit. All in all, it was a wonderful supplement to the spirit of a time when a people were truly lost in the world that destroyed them and protected them. I know that I need to expand my own knowledge of this issue, but it gives a great, yet sobering, historical backdrop to present-day activities.

If you enjoy the objectivism of Ayn Rand, you will probably enjoy this as well.

Rating:
Summary: An amazing read
Review: Although a bit slow at the beginning, Exodus was an incredibly compelling book. Anyone who would like to learn more about the history of the Exodus back to Israel or of the Arab/Israeli conflict should read this book. It is a story of fiercely determined people who will give up their lives, both physically and emotionally, to Israel. It was a book that requires "recovery" once it is finished. It gave me a greater understanding of why the Jews are the way they are. It's definitely not a "feel-good" book, it's a dose of reality. It is worth a read or two.

Rating:
Summary: Powerful, Emotional, and Strongly told
Review: Everytime a book talks about such controversial matters such as Exodus, it always gets critisized some way or other. Exodus is not a prejudiced book--though being from the Jews' point of view, it might seem that way. The Holocaust is the blackest mark against humanity in all of history. Exodus tells stories that not only describe the true horrors of that time, but also what led up to it, and the effects of it. Perhaps the creation of Israel will always be a controversy, but this book has done well to tell the story.

The flashbacks in the book barely even seemed to fit into the word "flashback" because in a way, it's more of another story that completes and makes the book all the more poignant and memorable. There are a few cliches involved, such as the all-american nurse who loses her husband and child, and then runs away from the pain. But then again, being realistic, the reason a cliche is what it is is because of the abundance of times it occurs.

Though this book numbers greatly in pages, but not a single one is wasted. There are many characters in this book, and you might find that it's hard not to become absorbed in every one of them. They each have their own story and history, which makes this book much more personal than just another story set during the Post-War years. (Though even that is not totally correct because the amount of history this book covers spans hundreds and even thousands of years.)

All in all, this book tells the story of Israel's Recreation, that without realizing it, you might end up knowing more history than you ever thought you would be interested in.

Rating:
Summary: A MUST READ
Review: This book is purely phenomenal. It will give its reader a good insight into the creation of the State of Israel, the struggles of the Jewish people in the Middle East and the book will also lay a solid ground for understanding the conflicts existing in the region.
I would hightly recommend "The Haj" as well.

Rating:
Summary: Brilliant! A perfect read!
Review: Exodus was one of the best books I have ever read. It tells of the plight of the Jewish people, and calms any prejudice you might hold. Bringing love, hatred and sadness into one strong piece of historical fiction, Leon Uris stuns the world with his insight and vision on this difficult topic. People in today's world forget how difficult it was to establish the State of Israel. While reading this book, you establish fundamental views toward the Jewish people, and a respect for their determination and faith. Uris has gotten under the skin of Israel and into the hearts of millions. Through living characters, and intense emotions, Uris shows you just what it takes to be a man of faith. This book holds an accurate view on past events that should not be passed up. It is a read for teens to adults, and when you are through, you will have gained far more knowledge than you had before.

Rating:
Summary: The Most Powerful Country In The World
Review: This is an Epic novel about the rebirth of a Nation and the spirit of it's people. Is the book Bias? Of course it is, it's not an objective newspaper artical, news broadcast or just the facts of what happened when Israel became a country again. This is a fictional yet fact based novel told from the viewpiont of Leon Uris. The story is passionate and action packed. And is so much better then the movie, and I love the movie. I truely believe that the fate of Israel controls fate the world.

Rating:
Summary: over all, a good book
Review: This a captivating story, masterfully written, and on the most part, well researched.I read this book already knowing the story of Israel, and as such i can say that the things Uris describes in his books are true. It may be slightly biased against Arabs, however he does present good Arab people too. And if someone says that the great zeal of the Jewish people for the land of Israel is absurd, i would have to disagree. As a Jew and an Israeli i can say that Jews do indeed feel the kind of Zeal for Israel as is described in Exodus, at the end of every year Jews sing the traditional song which consists of the words, "Next year in Jerusalem", thus i cannot agree with people who say that it is biased and it's ideas are false.

Rating:
Summary: "A book to remember"
Review: My first impression of the book Exodus came to me when I was first given the task of reading it in senior English. Form the moment I saw the size of the book, size of the print, and learned it was a "Historical Fiction" I was completely turned off. After My first attack of the book I was rather excited being that I am a typical 18 year male the promise of a rather pretty main character, lots of fighting, guns, a bit of foul play, and a possible love story I was pumped. From the moment I read about Kitty I am became utterly infatuated with her and began to keep reading the book just to see what was going to happen. I mean she was your perfect damsel in distress on the rebound with no man, no kid, surrounded by strange things, and alone in a country that was not her own I was eager to find out what she was going to do next. On the flip side of that I get to read about a macho, buff, extra tough, bullheaded, rebel fighting, guy named Ari Bin Canaan. I was very taken with Ari Bin Canaan not only does he get to live a courageous life and get to blow stuff up at will he manages to finagle the heart of Kitty. Ari was almost like a father figure/role model for myself in the book like he was egging me on to read further or make me want to go out and liberate my English class. This book was excellent in the fact that it puts the reader right down in the action and made you want to go and fight almost after every read. (Or at least for this reader) Being able to travel so much was also excellent. Going form the beautiful Cyprus to the rugged Palestine, to the very beautifully Denmark, Uri's has the reader travel all over.
Throughout the book I encountered an emotion that I have seldom had in books before "guilt." Reading about the concentration camps so graphically gave me a tremendous guilt trip, seeing how kids were bumped around from home to home without their family no money and tons of other hardships made me feel guilty for being so blessed. By Uris making the reader feel guilty I think he slyly made the reader sympathize with the Jewish people and come to hate and loath all Germans, Poles, Russians, and especially Arabs. That brings me to the point that Uris throughout the whole book sides with the Jews 100% and doesn't even give the Arabs a chance. He only focuses on the bad points of the Arabs and I cannot remember one positive thing he said about them. On the flip side of that I cannot remember one negative thing that Uris portrayed or said about the Jewish people at all. ... This book I feel also lacked a main bad guy. You have many groups of "bad guys" but no single bad guy. It is rather difficult for me to hate a group of people rather than just one individual person. If the reader had one individual person to hate they would be able to understand the many points of views in the book better. Because when you hate a whole group of people you totally disregard any opinion they have and normally believe whatever anyone tells you about them. But if you just hate one particular person from a group you will not totally disregard the opinions of everyone else associated with the same group.
Finally the fact that no single couple really every hooked up/ "became one" got be angry. Sometimes the only reason I would read on would be to see if Ari finally landed the deal, but Uri's prolongs this longer and longer until finally you finish the book and it never happens. Overall I loved the book and learned a great deal from it that I will be able to retain for years to come. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes reading about people overcoming struggle time and time again. With a few good love stories tied in to a rich history of a fascinating people I do not think I shall forget this book anytime soon.

Rating:
Summary: Exodus
Review: Overall, I enjoyed Exodus very much. I liked the fact that it had many different and interesting characters that I could sympathize with. It was exciting and full of adventure, so I didn't ever want to put the book down. Most of all, I was intrigued by all the historical background. I don't think the novel would have been complete without it because it set the foundation for the events of the story and helped me understand the characters a lot more. I learned a great deal, and the information was presented in an interesting and easily understandable manner. I found some of the battle descriptions towards the end a little tedious and the ending disappointing and sudden. I thought too much was left unresolved. However, I would still recommend this book. I found it a fulfilling read, both intellectually and personally.

Rating:
Summary: An eyeopener for the world
Review: The story revolves around the revival of the jewish state after 2000 years of wanderings and persecution. Uris narrates the incidents through different story threads of characters diverse in background, culture and nationality. The narration is lucid, the characters are compelling and the situations are rivetting. Above all the historical facts loom large over the scene making this book more than a novel.

When I read the book for the first time I was not able to believe that human race was capable of such depravity as the Nazi atrocities and such nobility as the millions of nameless jews who died defending the TORAH in those countless pogroms. Being an indian it reminded me of Mahathma Gandhi's non-violent struggle for Indian independence. I was filled with cold anger when I learnt that India had voted against formation of the state of Israel.

This book is excellent to read as a novel but above that I have found it to be a good motivator during bad times. I read this book whenever I am down and have always felt charged when I go through the persecution the jews went through and their triumphant fight for a homeland of their own. I always felt relieved when I realised that I was faring much better than most of them. When they could do it so can I.

This book is a must read for all historical and political buffs.