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A History of the Jews Paperback – September 14, 1988

by Paul Johnson (Author)

265 customer reviews

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A national bestseller, this brilliant 4000 year survey covers not only Jewish history but he impact of Jewish genius and imagination on the world. By the author of Modern Times: The World From the Twenties to the Eighties.

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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

Review

"A marvelous book . . . This is history: richly textured, provocative and wise." -- -- The Plain Dealer

"A tour de force...A remarkable achievement." -- -- Aruthur Hertzberg, The New York Times Book Review

"An absorbing, provocativem well-writen, often moving book, an insightful and impassioned blend of history and myth, story and interpretation." -- -- Merle Rubin, Christian Science Monitor

"An extraordinary amount of useful information." -- -- New York Review of Books

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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: 5.3 x 1.5 x 8 inches
Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 265 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #65,828 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #25 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Ethnic & National > Jewish
- #81 in Books > History > World > Religious > Judaism
- #88 in Books > History > Middle East > Israel & Palestine

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November 29, 2016

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Interesting, thorough, and thoughtful history of the Jewish People, particularly because the author is not Jewish. Johnson starts his story by calling the Jews the " most tenaceous people in history." He ascribes to the Jews the "willingness to ask the difficult question", a major reason Christian dogma bogs down, according to the author.

I have a point of disagreement with the author. He describes in Jesus' life a point where Jesus "stopped being a Jew". I disagree. Jesus never stopped considering himself a Jew. This thinking occurred well after his death, and is something many educated Christians reject. They acknowledge Jesus' Jewishness.

17 people found this helpful18 people found this helpful

William J., Bly

A HISTORY OF THE JEWS

March 2, 2014

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Given as a Christmas gift to a man who misunderstood the Jews.I pray he now has a better idea of what the Jews went through in 4000 years to survive as a people who have given the world brilliant scientists, politicians, authors, musicians, television and radio
comics, and many brilliant physicians, to name a few areas where the Jewish people excelled through hard word and belief in their own genius and talents. Highly recommended author and topic.

9 people found this helpful10 people found this helpful

This book may be like reading a college textbook

February 14, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I read reviews on other books on the history of the Jews before selecting this book. This book may be like reading a college textbook, but as Paul Johnson tells, the Jewish race is the only race who has a written record that goes back to first recorded time. Johnson had written an excellent history of God and His chosen people. This ancient religious race as the author relates has spent much of her time in captivity, emancipation, ghetto, or the holocaust, yet never has lost its language, rituals, and rabbinical traditions. Yet, even today the Jews are despised and hated and Muslims wants to annihilate them. It would do these people well to learn Jewish history as well as the Bible.

One person found this helpful

This is a review of the audio component

September 12, 2018

Format: Audible AudiobookVerified Purchase

While the content of the book is excellent and the writing style solid I am referring to the audio - I have both the digital book and the audio I find that listening while reading is a great method for books with details that I want to commit to memory. But here's the problem the women's voice on the audio is HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE AND HORRIBLE. I would rather have a tooth pulled than listen to her voice!

One person found this helpful

A great following of 'all' the issues addressed in the Bible ...

September 5, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

A great following of 'all' the issues addressed in the Bible from Adm forward. The changes in Prophetic leaders to king type leadership. From the Israelites to the Jews founding.

4 people found this helpful5 people found this helpful

Marianne Topping

) It is slow go and easy to get lost as I am not familiar with ...

September 6, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Where else can you find the complete history of the Jewish people? I have be interested in the Jewish people for years and finally pulled the trigger and downloaded this book to my Kindle. It is definitely an academic read. (Many of the words I didn't know the Webster dictionary didn't have!) It is slow go and easy to get lost as I am not familiar with the old testament. Nonetheless, a fascinating read. Next I want to read Mr. Johnson's take on the American people.

3 people found this helpful4 people found this helpful

Michael Johnson

EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT JEWS

September 4, 2016

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

GREAT BOOK FOR JEWS AND EVERYONE TOO. IT IS LIKE ---EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT JEWS BUT DIDN'T WANT TO ASK! WELL WRITTEN! MIKE

4 people found this helpful5 people found this helpful

This is a very good book by Paul Johnson

December 20, 2016

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This is a very good book by Paul Johnson. It gives a great history and background on the Jews and gave me the knowledge I needed.

3 people found this helpful4 people found this helpful

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