The Chosen: The History of an Idea, and the Anatomy of an Obsession [Hardcover]

Avi Beker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 13, 2008

The Chosen explores Judaism’s key defining concept and inquires why it remains the central unspoken and explosive psychological, historical, and theological problem at the heart of Jewish-Gentile relations. Crisscrossing the twin cultural and theological divides between Judaism, Christendom, and Islam, The Chosen explains how the Jews, of all people, have come to represent at once the epitome of both the good and the odious. Beker covers not only the great stories of how the Jews came to be chosen and the Christian, Muslim, and Nazi efforts to appropriate the title, but also the key role “chosenness” plays in contemporary anti-Semitism and in the current Middle East conflict over the Land of Israel and the chosen city of Jerusalem.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Well-researched, insightful, Avi Beker’s volume on the theme of the chosenness of the Jewish people responds to many questions, both ancient and contemporary, that are worthy of the reader’s interest.”—Elie Wiesel, author of Night

“The Chosen takes up a concept that goes straight to the heart and root of Judaism—the role of ‘chosenness’ that the Jews saw for themselves and the role which they played in the unfolding history of our civilization. Beker makes an important contribution in taking us back to the sources of the deep and embedded hatred of the Jews over the centuries. This scope of the book makes it very important to scholars, activists, and anyone interested in a very unique approach to an ancient puzzle.”—Natan Sharansky, Israel’s Minister for Jerusalem & Diaspora Affairs, and former Jewish human rights activist

“Avi Beker’s The Chosen is the most important book on Jewish identity to appear in recent times. Highly readable, yet based on extensive scholarship, The Chosen portrays the drama of Jewish history and identity through an exploration of Judaism’s key defining concept. Beker’s is the first work of this nature to appear since the twelfth century.”—David Chanoff, co-author of Ariel Sharon’s Warrior: An Autobiography

About the Author

Avi Beker is the visiting Goldman Professor in the Department of Government at Georgetown University, and the former Secretary General of the World Jewish Congress. He was active in the international Jewish diplomatic front and has published several books and numerous articles on international security, the United Nations, Israel’s foreign policy, and world Jewish affairs.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan (May 13, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0230600484
• ISBN-13: 978-0230600485
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,431,999 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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