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A History of the Jews (Paperback)

~ Paul M. Johnson (Author) "The Jews are the most tenacious people in history..." (more)
Key Phrases: New York, Ben Gurion, United States (more...)
4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (75 customer reviews)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Paul Johnson says that writing A History of the Jews was like writing a history of the world "seen from the viewpoint of a learned and intelligent victim." Johnson's history begins with the Bible and ends with the establishment of the State of Israel. Throughout, Johnson's history is driven by a philosophical interest: "The Jews," he writes, "stand right at the centre of the perennial attempt to give human life the dignity of a purpose. Does their own history suggest that such attempts are worth making? Or does it reveal their essential futility?" Johnson's history is lucid, thorough, and--as one would expect of almost any project with such a broad scope--a little wrong-headed. By the end of the book, readers will be grateful for Johnson's questioning of the Jews' confidence in their cosmic significance. However, readers may also be a little annoyed by his energetic inquiries as to whether this significance was man-made or providentially provided. Either way, it's a given: for a historian of Israel, this should adequately settle the question. Johnson's 600-page history is probably the best we've got by a living gentile--which is no small accomplishment at all. --Michael Joseph Gross


From Publishers Weekly

Less a seminal contribution than a distillation of a wide range of sources, this history of the Jews focuses on their four-millennia interplay with, and adaption to, other, often hostile, civilizationsa "world history seen from the viewpoint of a learned and intelligent victim." Weaving biblical and archeological data, Johnson (Modern Times and A History of Christianity is particularly deft at placing the patriarchs and early Israelites (the Bronze Age through the destruction of the First Temple) in their historical context. His dense, somewhat arbitrary, capsule extols Judaic rational scholarshipwhich contributed to ethical monotheism and the 18th-century economic system, in turnand denigrates mystic kabbalah"heresy of the most pernicious kind." Although Johnson, who seeks to acknowledge "the magnitude of the debt Christianity owes to Judaism," traces "an inherent conflict" between the religion and the state of Israel through the various ages, the work is incontrovertibly sympathetic to Zionism. BOMC and QPBC featured alternates; author tour.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 656 pages
  • Publisher: Harper Perennial; 1st US edition (September 14, 1988)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0060915331
  • ISBN-13: 978-0060915339
  • Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.3 x 1.5 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (75 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #10,750 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

    #12 in  Books > History > Middle East > Israel
    #21 in  Books > Religion & Spirituality > Judaism
    #30 in  Books > History > World > Jewish

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Customer Reviews

75 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
4.3 out of 5 stars (75 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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117 of 118 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A Saga Of Four Thousand Years!, March 11, 2002
This is my third book by British historian Paul Johnson. There is no question that he is an extremely talented writer and an excellent but opinionated historian. As always this combination makes for a lively and exciting read. Johnson states in the introduction that, as a believing Christian, he feels he owes much to the Jewish people who he greatly admires. He therefore felt that he wanted to write a complete history. It proves that a good Jewish history does not need to be written by a Jew. Johnson divides Jewish history into a series of epochs, each one of which consumes a part in the book. The chapters are called "Israelites" which covers the biblical period, "Judaism" which covers the period from the building of the Second Temple through the early Christian and early Islamic period, "Cathedocracy" in which Johnson deals with the experience of the Jews under medieval Christendom and Islam, "Ghetto" which deals with the late Medieval and Renaissance period in Europe. "Emancipation" which discusses the 18th and 19th centuries in Europe, "Holocaust" which needs no further explanation and "Zion" which covers not only the birth of modern Israel but also the post-war Jewish experience world wide.

This book is enormously detailed and highly opinionated. Johnson's affection for the Jewish people shines through on virtually every page. Never one to hedge on a conclusion, Johnson has opinions on everyone from Abraham to Begin. My favorite chapter was the opening one, "Israelites". Here Johnson attempts to use similarities between biblical descriptions and known facts of other ancient civilzations to demonstrate that the bible, from Abraham forward is essentially historical. This section will be of enormous interest to everyone, whatever your knowledge of the bible. The Jewish saga is the human saga. It is complete with pathos, absurdity, tragedy and triumph. It is remarkable that an ancient people could survive under such hostile conditions. Really a miracle. Johnson captures the essence of that miracle. The entire book will be of interest to those with less than complete knowledge of Jewish history. It will also be excellent reading for those who have a good knowledge of Jewish history because of Johnson's excellent writing ability. This book is well worth the money.

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52 of 55 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best histories of the Jews, July 7, 2000
By David E. Levine (Peekskill , NY USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   
I have read histrories of the Jews by at least half a dozen authors and I rate Johnson's as the best. Just as he successfully captured the character of the American people in "A History of the American People," so too, he captures the essence of Judaism, it's culture and history. What is remarkable about these two works is he is not an American (he's English) nor Jewish (he's Roman Catholic) yet observing from the "outside," he does great justice to both America and to Jews. I consider myself to be well versed in Jewish history and traditions. I am well read on the subject and, indeed, I have taught a college course in Judaism (at Marymount College in Tarrytown, NY). I find Johnson's views to be insightful and his facts to be laid out with no glaring errors. Starting in prebiblical times and continuing to the present, he tells a remarkable story. If you read only one history of the Jews, you would do well to select this one.
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48 of 51 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars The best one-volume Jewish history book, period!, August 3, 1998
As an Orthodox Jew, an "insider", I was absolutely (and positively) amazed to see an "outsider", like Mr. Johnson, penetrate through the layers of confusion and misunderstandings and really "gets it". In the words of Rabbi Berel Wein (a contemporary Jewish historian), "Mr. Johnson did a much better job than many secular Jewish historians". There are many things I disagree with in this book but more often then not I found myself nodding in agreement and underlining key sentences. All this is my commentary on the CONTENTS of the book, when it comes to lucidity, choice of words and philosophical depth, well... Brilliant is putting it mildly. This book is a must-read for Jews and non-Jews alike!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

1.0 out of 5 stars Not THE History of the Jews
The title apologises in advance for the narative. The book is a reflection of how one man tries to make sense of what the Bible says and the popular opinion of historians. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Joe Soap

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, but 100% biased
I read this good book, here in Brazil.This book describes the history of jews since thousands of years ago, until some decades ago. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Dalton C. Rocha

3.0 out of 5 stars A scholarly book
This is a scholarly book, and as such, heavy reading. This is not a book to read on the beach or on a plane. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Sahra Badou

3.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing.....
This is a superbly written resource. No doubt about that. But that is really all it is. I'm not sure why Johnson bothered to write it. There is nothing new here. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Mark Gibbs

5.0 out of 5 stars Received expeditiously!
The book arrived quickly and in excellent condition -- no damage in shipping. I Am delighted to add this to my personal reference library,and to recommend it as good resource... Read more
Published 23 months ago by Anne Kinkade

4.0 out of 5 stars A History of the Jews
Paul Johnson's `History of the Jews' is a well written, entertaining, and informative 4000-year history of the Jewish people. Read more
Published on September 2, 2007 by P.K. Ryan

5.0 out of 5 stars A History of the Jews
A History of the Jews is an excellent book to read and study. As a Christian it helps me to understand reading and studying the bible more clearly. Read more
Published on July 5, 2007 by Geraldine Jackson

1.0 out of 5 stars entertaining but unreliable
I managed to read less than a half and all the way I had very strong sensation the author is not really familiar with the subject, he is making mistakes very characteristic for... Read more
Published on March 1, 2007 by George

5.0 out of 5 stars Service excellent
The book came very quickly and was packaged well. Service excellent. Book was in excellent condition, even better than advertised. I appreciate the professional service.
Published on February 19, 2007 by Douglas Ammons

5.0 out of 5 stars Penetrating Survey
With one gleaning only the word "cathedocracy" from this penetrating survey makes the book worthwhile. Mr. Read more
Published on January 9, 2007 by Rue Stosen

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