Customer Reviews

The Genius of Genesis: A Psychoanalyst and Rabbi Examines the First Book of the Bible

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I just finished "The Genius of Genesis" by Dennis G. Shulman and I am moved.
If you only read one book this year about psychology or religion, it should be "The Genius of Genesis."
And if you only have time to read one chapter, it should be the final chapter, Chapter Six. In this chapter, the author integrates a vast library of thinkers and perspectives, including among others, Freud, Jung, Maimonides, Fromm, and develops a message that is not only scholarly and wise, but inspiring.
I hope that "The Genius of Genesis" gains the attention it deserves.

When I received the E-mail from the Jewish Press announcing that Dennis Shulman's Genius of genesis was selected as its August Book Choice, I ordered it not expecting much. I have read many books about Genesis, from Norman Cohen to Aviva Zornberg to Bruce Feiler and most recently, Leon Kass; and found little in any of them that was new or interesting. Shulman's book surprised me. The scholarship is vast. The Genesis characters and narratives come alive. The perspective is open minded, interesting and novel. I highly recommend Shulman's book for anyone (Jew, Christian or agnostic) who is looking for a deeper understanding of the biblical stories they grew up with.

A few weeks ago, I happened to hear Dennis Shulman interviewed about his book on National Public Radio, and I was so impressed with him and what he said that I immediately orderd his book. Shulman's book is an outstanding, comprehensive and loving analysis of the Book of Genesis. Although I have been reading these same Genesis stories for more than forty years, since my childhood, I now feel like I finally understand them. What's more, because of this wonderful book, these stories now speak to me. Shulman's book is a good read and a work of inspiration. Thank you, Dennis Shulman, for your book.

The story of Genesis come alive In The Genius of Genesis by Rabbi/Dr. Dennis Shulman. He has crafted a brilliant, profound, moving and penetrating analysis and explication of these foundational books of the Bible, which is simultaneously accessible to the layperson, provocative and revealing to biblical scholars, and enlightening and illuminating to psychotherapists. His synthesis of biblical passages, Rabbinic, Christian and Muslim commentaries, and psychoanalytical insights and perspectives will become "must reading" for anyone interested in Biblical explication, psychoanalytical theory and practice, and transformational growth.

Shulman's careful, cogent, precise and painstaking scholarship is, without question, a milestone in the study of Genesis. His application of psychological insights resolve heretofore troubling inconsistencies in the dual Biblical accounts of Genesis. His explication of the Akedah deepens and enriches immeasurably our understanding of the meaning and implications for transformational change of Abraham's initial willingness, and eventual refusal, to sacrifice his son Isaac. The multi-generational impact of his final choice -- the transformation of subsequent generations of Abraham's children and grandchildren and especially Isaac's struggles and transformation to become Israel -- has never been explained more clearly or conclusively.

I read this magnificent piece of work in one sitting. It was as spellbinding as the best novel, but the fundamental human truths it underscores are far richer than any novel. In the final analysis, The Genius of Genesis underscores the penultimate challenge and choice we each face in our lives: to choose good or to be ruled by our darker side.

The final chapter offers the best, briefest and clearest explanation of Freudian and Jungian psychology I've ever read, and was a precious bonus added to an already fabulous gift to Biblical and psychological literature and the world! I found his comparison of the Biblical's dual presentation of God with Freud's and Jung's "single factor" analysis stunning.

Rabbi/Dr. Dennis Shulman's writing is fluid, tight and congruent, and offered me the surprising blessing of instruction on how to convert insight into action. This is a seminal work from a gifted scholar and psychotherapist. I can't wait for his next books!

A graduate student of mine discovered, she said quite by accident, Dennis Shulman's Genius of Genesis on the Internet, and gave me a copy. I am very glad she did. This book is a well written, careful, respectful and I would even say loving analysis of the foundational stories of the Book of Genesis. It is an essential addition to any library devoted to the examination of the Bible, Old or New Testament.

Shulman writes with deep appreciation for complexity and with a tolerance for multiple understandings of the biblical texts, both of which are truly rare in contemporary books about religion. His breath of knowledge ranges from the traditional commentaries of the talmudic rabbis to those of St. Paul, John Calvin, John Wesley, Martin Luther, John Milton and even Mark Twain.

Although Shulman is a Jew, this book is quite appropriate for use in a classroom, like most of mine are, in which we study the Old Testament from a traditional Christian perspective.

As far as I can tell, this is Shulman's first book. I look forward to his future work on the Bible.

I recommend this book for any Christian who wants to gain a profound understanding of the first book of the Bible.

This is a quick and wonderful read. For example, in Genesis, he points out that psychological transformation and the eventual recognition of moral and social responsibility are played out in a unique generational context from Abraham to Joseph. He makes this and other valid points that certainly take the bible away from simple "fundamentalist" interpretations.

For any observance level, Jewish or Christian I highly recommend this book. Its not boring. There are nuggets of insight and wisdom in every chapter.