Rating: 
Summary: Unashamed, and proud of it!
Review: A previous reviewer wrote, "it's almost vulgar to see such a noble race unashamedly trumpeting their achievements."I'm curious... if WE don't trumpet our achievements, who's going to? Or perhaps this reviewer only likes Jews when we're ashamed of all we've managed to accomplish in a few short centuries of freedom? This book thrillingly encapsulates millennia of what could too easily degenerate into the longest history lesson of anyone's life. It's a great introduction -- interspersed with humour, cute pictures, and "trivia" tidbits like the rest of the "Complete Idiot's" books -- to a complicated and difficult subject. Highly recommended for anybody, Jewish or otherwise, who prefers Jews when we're "out and proud!"
Rating:
Summary: Unashamed, and proud of it!
Review: A previous reviewer wrote, "it's almost vulgar to see such a noble race unashamedly trumpeting their achievements." I'm curious... if WE don't trumpet our achievements, who's going to? Or perhaps this reviewer only likes Jews when we're ashamed of all we've managed to accomplish in a few short centuries of freedom? This book thrillingly encapsulates millennia of what could too easily degenerate into the longest history lesson of anyone's life. It's a great introduction -- interspersed with humour, cute pictures, and "trivia" tidbits like the rest of the "Complete Idiot's" books -- to a complicated and difficult subject. Highly recommended for anybody, Jewish or otherwise, who prefers Jews when we're "out and proud!"
Rating:
Summary: Unashamed, and proud of it!
Review: A previous reviewer wrote, "it's almost vulgar to see such a noble race unashamedly trumpeting their achievements." I'm curious... if WE don't trumpet our achievements, who's going to? Or perhaps this reviewer only likes Jews when we're ashamed of all we've managed to accomplish in a few short centuries of freedom? This book thrillingly encapsulates millennia of what could too easily degenerate into the longest history lesson of anyone's life. It's a great introduction -- interspersed with humour, cute pictures, and "trivia" tidbits like the rest of the "Complete Idiot's" books -- to a complicated and difficult subject. Highly recommended for anybody, Jewish or otherwise, who prefers Jews when we're "out and proud!"
Rating: 
Summary: Incredible Book!
Review: As a High School student, I mostly feel I get more then enough lessons of History a week, though it does give me a chance to catch up on sleep. I picked up this book in order to help me write a Paper, and didn't stop reading it till the end even though I didn't need all of it. Written with humor and wit, this book conveys the essence of the Jewish People and enables you to look at it both objectivly and subjectively. The book gives you the reasons for every historical event and not just the sequence of events. For me, it gave history and new light, and I noticed that the reasons cited for many of the historical events actually apply today as well, though with different actions as the result. As they say, History does indeed repeat itself! Great job, Rabbi! I wish this author would share his wit and knowlage in many other subjects as he is the easiest way to learn!
Rating:
Summary: Great for Beginners
Review: As someone always interested in Jewish history and culture, and about to be married to a Jew, I found this book to be a fabulous springboard to other more in-depth explainations. The overviews of Jewish history and concepts are brief, but provide an excellent background for beginners who want to do more reading on this fascinating subject. My only complaint is that this book was published by the "Idiot's Guide," a derogatory title that will surely turn off some readers. This is not a book for idiots.
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining and incredibly thorough.
Review: Don't let the title fool you. This book is genuinely interesting and tremendously informative. It is an all encompassing survey of all aspects of Jewish History/Culture -- and a FUN read !!
Rating: 
Summary: Complete Idiot's Guide to Jewish History and Culture
Review: I found this book a very simplistic, condescending work.
Rating: 
Summary: Not so good; his previous book was much better
Review: I was initially very hopeful about this work, as I was familiar with the author's previous works. However upon opening this new book I disovered that it was shallow to the point of being useless. It says almost nothing about each topic. His descriptions are so brief as to be either useless or outright misleading. The sad thing is, he *did* write a perfect book for people who want an introduction to Judaism That book is "Understanding Judaism : The Basics of Deed and Creed", and I highly reccomend it. More good books in this is area are Wayne Dosick's "Living Judaism"; "Entering Jewish Prayer" by Reuven Hammer; "Biblical Literacy" by Joseph Telushkin; and the Jewish Catalog series by Michael and Sharon Strassfeld.
Rating:
Summary: Glaat Kosher
Review: It's rare to find a book in English in a mainstream venue that doesn't skew or distort Yiddishkeit. This one is accurate and good. A Kiddush HaShem.
Rating:
Summary: Valuable Read
Review: Rabbi Blech does a wonderful job in presenting an accurate and informative view of the history of Judaism. This book has so much information it may take you two reads to absorb it all -- but that's okay because the book is funny and amusing. You will never be bored reading this. This book is valuable to Jews wishing to learn about their history and to non-Jews wishing to gain a closer look at the history and culture of the Jewish people. This book will not disapoint.
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