My First Two Thousand Years: The Autobiograpy of the Wandering Jew [Paperback]

George Sylvester Viereck (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 25, 2001

This monumental work, which has been continuously in print since 1928, has been called a novelized story of civilization. The Wandering Jew is a cosmic symbol he is man, he is woman, he is sex, he is history...he is life itself.

Editorial Reviews

Review

George Sylvester Viereck (1884-1962) was a German-born poet and novelist. Paul Eldridge (1888-1982) was a poet and authored a number of plays and essays. In My First Two Thousand Years: The Autobiography of the Wandering Jew, Viereck and Eldridge collaborated to write an impressive, 512-page novel that purports to be the personal story of Cartaphilius (alias Isaac Laquedem), a young man who was the 'wandering jew' of ancient myth. An elegant and immortal young man, his 'autobiography' provides us with portraits of Salome, Jesus, Mary Magdalene, Nero, Attila, Mohammed, Don Juan, Leonardo da Vinci, Pope Alexander, Rothschild, Spinoza, Einstein, George Bernard Shaw, Lenin, Mussolini, and other historical figures. All intertwined with fascinating social commentaries, philosophic observations, as well as history- and science-based episodes with a new perspective through which we can view them. My First Two Thousand Years is an original and enduring work of literary substance that a whole new generation of readers can now discover with enthusiasm and appreciation. --Midwest Book Review

About the Author

George Sylvester Viereck was a German-born port and novelist. Paul Eldridge was a poet and writer.

Product Details

• Paperback: 512 pages
• Publisher: Sheridan House (July 25, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 157409128X
• ISBN-13: 978-1574091281
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #585,026 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fictional Rendering of a Christian Legend, January 6, 2005

By 

C. Middleton (Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: My First Two Thousand Years: The Autobiograpy of the Wandering Jew (Paperback)

This is the story of Cartaphilus, the wandering Jew, who begins his life in the holy land of Jerusalem over two thousand years ago during the time of Jesus Christ. A Hebrew man turned Roman solider, childhood friends with Mary Magdalene and the beloved apostle John, Cartaphilus refuses to join his friends and follow this new and rebellious prophet. Although he loves Mary and John more than life itself, and despite their pleads to accept Jesus and his teachings, he remains steadfast in his convictions that Jesus is no more than a clever magi, a false prophet, jealous perhaps, that this man has taken away the two people he loves most in the world. Cartaphilus attends the trial of Jesus as Pontius Pilate hands the final judgement to the crowd, where the crowd unanimously call for the crucifixion of the "King of the Jews". As Jesus carries the cross to the Place of Skulls and falls for the third time, Cartaphilus calls out and mocks him. Jesus lifts his head, looks at Cartaphilus direct in the eyes, and utters:

"I will go, but thou shalt tarry until I return."

Thus begins this man's immortal journey through two thousand years of history, tirelessly searching, attempting to find the meaning of his existence, protesting constantly at his plight, escaping torture and death, witnessing hundreds of religions and great civilizations rise and crumble, though the central thread of his long existence remains constant - his search for the truth.

Most would agree that the Christian legend of Cartaphilus, the Wandering Jew, is a metaphor, some would go as far as to say, a cosmic symbol, of the plight of humankind. Cartaphilus asks the same questions we all ask at one time or another. He recognizes the absurdity and humour of our lives on earth - our suffering, constantly seeking happiness, our search for the divine, our confusion over life's many contradictions, the great love and the great evils that appear to live side by side. Is life merely an illusion, a sadistic trick played on us by some mischievous god? Does our existence abruptly end at death or do we continue on in some other form? As Cartaphilus moves through the centuries, he recognises people, friends and lovers that lived before in other guises, only to come back to him again. He asks, is existence merely circular, recurring again and again? These are profound questions that the cursed one, made to tarry the earth until Christ's return, attempts to answer throughout the ages.

Throughout Cartaphilus' journey, we meet great historical personages such as Marcus Aurelius, Nero, Attila the Hun, and Mohammed, Leonardo da Vinci, Spinoza, Peter the Great and many others. One becomes so immersed in this intriguing narrative that these historical figures truly come to life. In the end, however, does Cartaphilus finally make peace with Jesus?

The great German writer Thomas Mann, called this novel, "Audacious and magnificent." I would have to say that it is the most original novel, encompassing religion, philosophy, history, and psychology, et al, which has ever been written.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars With fascinating social commentaries, August 8, 2001

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: My First Two Thousand Years: The Autobiograpy of the Wandering Jew (Paperback)

George Sylvester Viereck (1884-1962) was a German-born poet and novelist. Paul Eldridge (1888-1982) was a poet and authored a number of plays and essays. In My First Two Thousand Years: The Autobiography Of The Wandering Jew, Viereck and Eldridge collaborated to write an impressive, 512 page novel that purports to be the story personal story of Cartaphilius (alias Isaac Laquedem), a young man who was the "wandering jew" of ancient myth. An elegant and immortal young man, his "autobiography" provides us with portraits of Salome, Jesus, Mary Magdalen, Nero, Attila, Mohammed, Don Juan, Leonardo da Vinci, Pope Alexander, Rothschild, Spinoza, Einstein, George Bernard Shaw, Lenin, Mussolini, and other historical figures. All intertwined with fascinating social commentaries, philosophic observations, as well as history and science based episodes with a new perspective through which we can view them. My First Two Thousand Years is an original and enduring work of literary substance that a whole new generation of readers can now discover with enthusiasm and appreciation.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is incredible beyond belief, March 6, 1998

By 

Karim Moussally "raconteur" (SF Bay Area, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: My First Two Thousand Years: The Autobiography of the Wandering Jew (Hardcover)

This book, along with its two companion novels (Salome: My First Two-Thousand Years of Love and The Invincible Adam) is most certainly my favorite work of literature. I have read a LOT of books, so this is quite a compliment.