Rating: 
Summary: Too anecdotal, poorly written
Review: As an avid reader of history, I purchased this book expecting a historical survey of Jewish history from an anthropolgists' point of view. It is not really a history at all, but a collection of anecdotes and interesting observations. That would be fine, if they were held together with a coherent theme. Or held together at all. The author does not even seem able to put together a cohesive chapter. He jumps all over the place and it makes a difficult, at times painful read. It really needs an editor, and if it had one, they should be fired for poor work. The author also makes factual mistakes. One that jumps out is a claim that only Jewish culture used the lunar calendar. This is false. China used the lunar calendar throughout its long history, right into the 20th century. I also found the survey of ancient Jewish history to be weak: no context at all is provided about the area or its people and the author's conclusions are arrived at with little supporting evidence or even argument. For example much is made of a single inscription in a stone from 1200 BC. Overall the book is more of a personal journey by the author into his cultural roots, than it is a sytematic or well thought-out study. If you want the later, don't buy this book.
Rating: 
Summary: fantastico
Review: Dr. Konner has an electrifying personality. As a former student i know this.
During the middle of a lecture on adaptive strategies and evolution, a light fixture swung down from the ceiling. konner grabbed the metal casing and pulled with all the strength in his body.
he pulled a couple structural beams out of the ceiling, along with a white cloud of building materials. there was a large, bloody laceration on his palm that required first aid.
Rating:
Summary: Konner Makes Dry Subject Matter a Page Turner
Review: I had no real expectations about "Unsettled: An Antropology of the Jews." I did have reservations due to what can be dry subjet matter--anthropology. Konner redeemed himself in this vibrant, page-turning look at Jewish history. Laced with literature, anecdotes, and historical record, he drew together the long history of the Jewish people into a readable, enjoyable work.
It's easy to criticize, but as a published fiction author, I am impressed by Konner's coherent blend of staggering facts into a flowing story of a people. His handling of issues related to Islam and Judaism were commendable. I enjoyed every page, looking forward each new day to my time with the book. Highly recommended reading. My only recommendation would be for future editions to have photos and graphics to complement the rich fact-filled story.
Rating:
Summary: Unsettled settles many questions
Review: It has been a long time since I have read a book which does such a good job covering such a large topic. Many of the questions I had as to how Jewish history and outlook "fit together" were answered. I would recommend this book highly for anyone trying to obtain a clear and objective history of the Jewish people and what makes them "tick."
Rating:
Summary: Unsettled settles many questions
Review: It has been a long time since I have read a book which does such a good job covering such a large topic. Many of the questions I had as to how Jewish history and outlook "fit together" were answered. I would recommend this book highly for anyone trying to obtain a clear and objective history of the Jewish people and what makes them "tick."
Rating:
Summary: An Engaging Enyclopedia of Jewish Culture and History
Review: Mel Connor's Unsettled is a compelling survey of Jewish history and culture from the origins of the faith until today. Themes of steadfast faith, diaspora, self-inflicted segregation and persistent and inhumane discrimination and the unique cultural attributes of this distinctive race and religion are insightfully discussed by an American Jew who obviously loves and respects his people and religion, yet is not a true believer. The paradoxes of moral strength in political and military weakness, and the blessings and curses of the Jews' separateness are fully explored. It's a must read for both Jews and those who are in some significant way impacted by Jewish culture and influence, which includes just about all of us.
Rating:
Summary: It ain't anthropology!
Review: One looks here in vain for anything about the anthropology of the Jews, or indeed for anything not found in thousands of books already. What we get instead is a prosaic account of how the Jews have been mistreated for centuries (they have!) and how much they deserved better (they did!). This doesn't really contribute much in any case. If one read fewer publishers' blurbs, one would buy fewer bad books.
Rating:
Summary: Too anecdotal, poorly written
Review: This book could be more accurately described as a collection of essays by a scholar with specific interests in selected topics of Jewish history. The most notable omission is the lack of discussion of Jewish experience outside the Middle East except for Spain, North Africa, Ethiopia, China, and Cochin. There is nothing about the great migration of Jews into the tolerant Polish Commonwealth, so there is nothing about the role of Jews in Eastern Europe until Zionism and anti-Semitism spring up in the nineteenth century. He describes the destruction of the Jewish communities in Poland, but how did they get there and what was their anthropology? I bought the book to find out, but there was nothing. Also, his footnotes and bibliography make no reference to sources that place this vital topic in a wider historical context, as a general history of Eastern Europe or even of Jews in the Habsburg Monarchy, for example, or Russia. What is the culture that gave us Freud, Marx, and Mahler? Nothing on that. The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth was a refuge for Jews from Western Europe. Nohting on that. This is definitely not a book for the general reader.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: This book could be more accurately described as a collection of essays by a scholar with specific interests in selected topics of Jewish history. The most notable omission is the lack of discussion of Jewish experience outside the Middle East except for Spain, North Africa, Ethiopia, China, and Cochin. There is nothing about the great migration of Jews into the tolerant Polish Commonwealth, so there is nothing about the role of Jews in Eastern Europe until Zionism and anti-Semitism spring up in the nineteenth century. He describes the destruction of the Jewish communities in Poland, but how did they get there and what was their anthropology? I bought the book to find out, but there was nothing. Also, his footnotes and bibliography make no reference to sources that place this vital topic in a wider historical context, as a general history of Eastern Europe or even of Jews in the Habsburg Monarchy, for example, or Russia. What is the culture that gave us Freud, Marx, and Mahler? Nothing on that. The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth was a refuge for Jews from Western Europe. Nohting on that. This is definitely not a book for the general reader.
Rating:
Summary: A Tour de Force
Review: This book is an absolute tour de force. While it is a scholarly and erudite synthesis of history, theology, anthropolgy, philosophy and many other disciplines, it reads more like a great novel, albeit one laced with poetry as well. Konner takes us on a wonderful trip--- an adventure story in which we come to understand how and why this small people, the Jews, have occupied such an important place in the story of how we have come to be who we are in the modern Western world. Reading it is like listening to a wise old uncle weave together strands of different tales into a coherent story that finally, ultimately makes sense of a heretofore perplexing question. I have not only enjoyed the book myself, but have already bought several copies for others, all of whom are enjoying it immensely! I URGE YOU TO READ THIS BOOK!
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