The Book of Destiny: Toledot Charlap [Hardcover]

Arthur F Menton (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

. . . richness of historic content and pungency of human interest. Written in truly felicitous style . . . is hardly less than a palimpsest of East European Jewry in its last poignant efflorescence and dispersion. --Howard M. Sachar

Combines the rigorous research of Neil Rosenstein with the humanity of Chaim Potok or Bashevis Singer. An impressive book to be returned to time and time again.  --Abraham Gelbard, Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton

Arthur Menton is giving a very human perspective to our people's history. --Abam Leon Sachar

From the Inside Flap

A narrative saga told through the words of those who have experienced the climactic events of Jewish history: the civil wars between Israel and Judah, the revolts against ancient tyrannies, the Exile of Babylonia, the Persian Era, the rise and fall of power in Spain and Portugal, travels through the Mediterranean, the Ottoman Empire and northern Europe, 350 years in Poland and Russia, massive emigrations, the Holocaust, the rebirth of Israel - It's all here. This is a story of our past, our present, and our future - told by those who refuse to deny our heritage.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 611 pages
• Publisher: King David Press; 1st edition (1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0965444104
• ISBN-13: 978-0965444101
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.7 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,677,316 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Arthur F. Menton has had a long and distinguished career as engineer, writer, executive, and university professor. He has applied his scientific and business background to many of the major concerns confronting contemporary society: foreign and military policy, transportation, urban and regional planning, resource analysis and allocation, and ecological strategies. Prof. Menton has been in the management of several corporations and has been involved in as many entrepreneurial activities. He received a Bachelor's and Master's in Mechanical Engineering from City College of New York. After a few years of research in Physics at Columbia University, he pursued further graduate study at the University of Pennsylvania and then studied for a Ph.D. in Management Science at New York University. He has taught at Cooper Union, the State University of New York, Polytechnic Institute, and C.W. Post College of Long Island University. His career has been marked by major engineering contributions in the fields of aerospace, ultra-high vacuum, and infrared technology. Through it all, he has published and lectured extensively. His insightful essays have won him awards for writing and editing and have been praised for their originality, penetrating wit, and candid style. He ranks THE BOOK OF DESTINY as one of his greatest accomplishments.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A Labor of Love, November 7, 2011

By 

Adam Brown "traveller" (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Book of Destiny: Toledot Charlap (Hardcover)

Arthur Menton spent a generation assembling this authoritative pair of books describing the history of the distinguished Charlap and related families. The anecdotes are lively and well-told. Menton's listing of the members of the extended family includes 15,000 individuals and 250 trees as of press time. Since being published, the tree has grown to 20,000 individuals and 400 plates. A masterpiece of genealogical research and publishing. Other surnames prominent in the family include Ser, Lappen, Lapin, Budovitch, Sahr, Lew, Lewin, Levine, Kur, Pasternak, Kopyto, Mankuta, Smolarczyk, Don Yechiya, Donchin, among hundreds of others. A must-read for individuals interested in the history of the Jewish community of the northeastern region of Poland, including but not limited to the the towns of Ciechanowiec, Tykocin, Nur, Wysokie Mazowiecki.

5.0 out of 5 stars Toledot Charlap, August 30, 2006

By 

L. Charlap-Hyman (New Mexico) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Book of Destiny: Toledot Charlap (Hardcover)

Of course I loved this intense look at my family - While reading I learned about how deep the roots are, and how connected we all are.
I am proud to be a Charlap, and suggest that any scholar of Jewish history read this book. It is the story of struggles, success, love, music, and all that makes life so rich.

5.0 out of 5 stars SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF KING DAVID!, May 25, 2006

By 

rjtoviah (Phoenix, Arizona United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Book of Destiny: Toledot Charlap (Hardcover)

This is one of my favorite books. I was impressed with the hours and effort that went into the research, but even more than that it is amazing to learn about actual descendants of our beloved King David that exist and thrive in our midst today.