This book has been menacing my shelves for a quarter of a century.

It has sat there, almost taunting me with its presence, as the years have passed by.

Now, finally, I have decided to take the plunge and start reading it.

To be honest, it is moderately compelling.

The story has its moments that keep me engaged, but it doesn't have the same level of captivating power as the works of Barbara Tuchman or Karen Armstrong.

These two authors have a way of transporting readers into different worlds and making them feel deeply invested in the characters and the plot.

Perhaps this book will grow on me as I continue to read, but for now, it falls short of the high standards set by those literary giants.

Nonetheless, I am determined to give it a fair chance and see if it can surprise me in the end.

He firmly believed that we had the potential to build something remarkable for Jewry in America. However, he was acutely aware that it could never replicate the Jewry that had once thrived in Europe. That particular civilization was irrevocably dead. Although its echoes might linger on, its creative essence had vanished. We were thus compelled to embark on a journey of creating something entirely new.

Despite the evident shallowness of American Jewry, its rampant materialism, and its widespread ignorance, despite the fragmented hopes of a secular civilization, and the dreariness and loneliness that pervaded modern life - perhaps even because of all these factors - he was convinced that a new and better future for Jewry would emerge. He would repeat time and again, "We will do it. Israel and American Jewry will do it together." America, in his eyes, did not carry the noxious stench of Europe. It did not bear the burden of Europe's history, with its centuries of hatred.

"If you will it, it is not a dream," he would add, echoing the words of another dreamer from a different era, as if seeking to fortify his own wavering convictions. WOW!!!

Do not be mistaken.

This is not a novel but a sort of history of the Jews.

The author has crafted this work with elegance and precision, presenting a detailed account of the Jewish people's past.

It is well documented, drawing on a wealth of historical sources to provide a comprehensive and accurate portrayal.

Readers will be immersed in the rich tapestry of Jewish history, learning about their traditions, struggles, and achievements.

From ancient times to the present day, this history unfolds, offering insights into the unique experiences of the Jewish community.

Whether you are a history enthusiast or simply interested in learning more about different cultures, this work is sure to captivate and educate.

It is a must-read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the Jews and their place in history.

In the name of God.
This book with a rather imposing title tells, in a discursive and divulgative style, four thousand years of history of... yes, of what?
Let's not deny it. When we talk about Jews, we make a great confusion. Some talk about race, some about religion, some about people. Who are the Jews? What does it mean to be Jewish? What is the relationship between Jews and other religions? And what is the relationship between Jews and non-Jews?
Telling four thousand years of Jewish history, from ancient Ur to our days, mainly means talking about blood and massacres. Massacres suffered by the Jews but also massacres committed by the Jews. After all, the Old Testament itself is very rich in massacres perpetrated by the so-called chosen people and solicited by that God as merciless as vengeful.
The book begins by describing the slow path that has led from polytheistic religions to monotheistic ones, then, from Rome (and the diaspora) onwards, it analyzes in a rather extensive way the various main religions. Documenting every fact, citing sources and commenting on it critically, although obviously, being Potok a practicing Jew, his is a Jewish point of view.
Potok, in this long procession of ideas, of peoples, of battles, of wars, of idols, of kings and emperors, of promised and denied lands, of compromised freedoms and of prejudices and persecutions, shows us a group of people, a people, that has a different conception of life, of the supernatural and of the way of living together. A people sure of its religious convictions, that looks with detachment and a touch of irony at the manifestations of others (cult of saints, miraculous powers of crosses, cult of reliquaries and religious images, etc). A people that, in fact, has difficulty "mixing" with other peoples.
"How easily we label as barbarians the worlds we do not know. Everyone is a barbarian in the eyes of someone else."
What struck me a lot (although it was a known thing) is that the history of the three main monotheistic religions, Christian, Jewish and Islamic, is a history of blood. Under the banner of God, the most incredible atrocities have been committed and, alas, the Christian one stands out well above the others in this.
The Jews were exterminated in various "passages": first by the Romans, then by the Christians with the Crusades, then by the Inquisition, then by almost all Europeans during the plague period, then by the Russians and Poles in the pogroms, then during the First World War and finally by the Germans during the Holocaust, where the European branch of Judaism died. All this cannot but be disturbing.
In 1882 Leon Pinsker published a book in which, among other things, he stated:
"There is a Jewish problem because the Jews continue to exist as a separate ethnic entity that the world cannot assimilate. The disembodied nature of Jewish life provokes in people the fear of the Jews as if they were ghosts. In a situation of competition, people will make discriminations against strangers. Every country has a saturation point with respect to the Jews; when such a point is reached and exceeded, persecution begins."
I read this book stimulated by the novel "Married Life" by Vogel, which between the lines asks this question: why have the Jews been harassed, expelled, despised, killed, martyred, tortured, beaten, humiliated, torn to pieces, robbed by everyone without an important rebellion on their part?
Why is it that the Jews, who have an obviously higher level of teaching and education than the rest of the world (more than a quarter of Nobel Prizes have been awarded to Jews, although the Jews themselves represent 0.2% of the world's population), have not been able to avoid their own massacre?
There is no single answer to these questions. But the greatest merit of this book is that of helping to think and understand things about which we are, I think, too little informed.

The original article seems rather fragmented and lacking in a clear structure. It appears to be a collection of random thoughts or meanderings. To expand it, we could perhaps start by introducing a general topic or theme that ties these meanderings together. For example, we could say something like:

"In this exploration of my inner thoughts and musings, I find myself meandering through a landscape of ideas and emotions."

From there, we could expand on each of the individual meanderings, adding more details, examples, and personal reflections. We could also try to create a more cohesive flow by using transitional phrases and sentences to connect one thought to the next. For instance:

"One moment, I'm thinking about the beauty of nature and how it has the power to inspire and rejuvenate. The next, I'm pondering the mysteries of the universe and our place within it."

By doing this, we can turn the original article into a more engaging and meaningful piece of writing that offers a deeper insight into the author's mind and perspective.

Wanderings: History of the Jews is an incredibly energizing read, penned by a truly great storyteller.

The 4000-year history it encompasses is a vast tapestry, filled with countless sub-stories that span across the globe. It takes us through the ancient civilizations of Sumer, Egypt, and Canaan, and then onwards to Greece, Rome, and the rise of Christianity and Islam.

We journey through Spain, France, Poland, Russia, Germany, and witness the emergence of Zionism. It even touches on the vibrant history of New York City.

Throughout this captivating narrative, Chaim Potok not only added significantly to my knowledge but also stretched my understanding of the Jewish experience. Moreover, it provided me with a deeper insight into the arc of history in the Western world.

This book left me with an insatiable hunger to delve into countless other strands of history. I became intrigued by the rise and fall of the Polish empire, the evolving modern relationship between the Vatican and the Jewish people, the establishment and militarization of modern Israel, the fascinating history of the NYC Lower Eastside tenements and Jewish labor organizing, and the rich history of Constantinople (now Istanbul).

I first read this book 30 years ago. Obviously, much has changed in the world during those 30 years. However, the perspective I brought to this re-reading made it feel fresh and profoundly interesting once again.

It is truly so interesting to see how many desperate times the Jews have thought a Messiah finally surfaced only to be misled. Their history is filled with such moments of hope and disappointment. The anticipation of a savior has been a driving force in their lives, yet time and again, they have been let down. This makes for a fascinating study of their struggle and perseverance. Through all the trials and tribulations, they have continued to hold onto their faith and belief in a better future. Despite the setbacks, they have not given up on the idea of a Messiah who will bring peace and salvation. Their story is one of resilience and determination, and it serves as an inspiration to us all.

The book was recommended to me by (Christian) book readers, due to my fascination with the books of Jared Diamond.

I have not finished reading the book, although I think I have given it a fair chance (I have read about a quarter of it). The research of the sources seems honest to me and the way of telling is good, but the conclusions that are then drawn are incomprehensible. This has - unfortunately, exactly in line with my initial prejudices towards the book - to do with the fact that the Bible is accepted as a fixed and unchangeable starting point. While in the part that I read, really very interesting conclusions could be drawn about the origin of the stories in the Bible (origin in older tales etc.). This opportunity is unfortunately not taken.

It seems that the author's reliance on the Bible as an unalterable foundation may have limited the depth and objectivity of the analysis. There could have been a more open exploration of the possible influences and evolutions of the biblical stories. However, based on what I have read so far, I cannot fully dismiss the book. It still has some merits in its research and narrative style. I may consider giving it another chance in the future to see if my initial impressions change.

Perhaps with a more critical approach and a willingness to question the established beliefs, I can gain a better understanding of the book's true value. Overall, my experience with this book has been a mix of interest and disappointment, but it has also sparked my curiosity to further explore the topic of the Bible's origin and evolution.

Judaism is one of the oldest religions in the world, with a rich and complex history.

The Jewish people have endured many hardships and challenges throughout their history, including exile, persecution, and discrimination.

Despite these difficulties, they have managed to maintain their unique identity and religious traditions.

The wanderings of the Jewish people began with their exile from the land of Israel by the Babylonians in the 6th century BCE.

They were then dispersed throughout the Middle East and Europe, where they faced further persecution and discrimination.

However, the Jewish people continued to maintain their religious and cultural traditions, and they eventually began to return to the land of Israel in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Today, Judaism is a vibrant and diverse religion, with millions of followers around the world.

The history of Judaism and the wanderings of the Jewish people is a testament to their resilience and determination in the face of adversity.

I tried and tried to read this book, but unfortunately, I just couldn't manage to get through it.

I did make it to page 171, but that was as far as I could go.

The problem was that the author seemed to be trying too hard to be complete. There was simply an overwhelming amount of information crammed into each page.

It felt like I was constantly being bombarded with facts and details, and it became extremely difficult to keep up.

Perhaps if the book had been more streamlined and focused, I would have been able to finish it.

As it stands, however, I had to admit defeat and put it aside.

Maybe one day I'll give it another try, but for now, I'm moving on to something else.

Thorough understanding of the foundations of Judaism and a historical perspective of the Jewish people throughout the ages is of great significance. I read about this topic several years ago, and it has remained deeply ingrained in my mind ever since. Judaism has a rich and complex history that dates back thousands of years. Its foundations are based on religious beliefs, moral values, and cultural traditions. By studying the history of Judaism, we can gain a better understanding of the Jewish people's struggles, achievements, and contributions to the world. We can also learn about the various challenges and changes that they have faced over time. This knowledge can help us to appreciate the diversity of human cultures and to respect the beliefs and values of others. Overall, a thorough study of Judaism and its history is an essential part of our understanding of the world and its people.

A Mighty Overview of Jewish History

This book offers a truly mighty overview of several thousand years of Jewish history, presented in one big epic sweep. Just like many general history books, it has a dual nature. At times, it feels extremely long as it delves deep into the annals of time. Yet, at other moments, it seems to pass by far too quickly, leaving you longing for more details.

Potok approaches his undertaking as a work of literature rather than a traditional history textbook. As a narrator, he is firmly in control, making significant departures from the strict chronology. This is done to fit the story into the structure of his presentation, which is thematically arranged based on the various cultural environments in which Jews found themselves living over the centuries. For example, we read about the origin of Islam a full 50 pages before the origins of Christianity, even though Christianity happened six centuries earlier.

The Biblical narrative is largely interpreted as the trace of possible actual events. Some of these events are correlated to archeology or other sources. I'm certain that all of this is highly debatable, but for the most part, it is plausible enough for the general reader. However, sometimes the author tries a bit too hard. For instance, when he peremptorily states that the Santorini eruption must have occurred around 1200 BC (it didn't), apparently because he needed a cataclysm around that time.

Overall, it is a long read, but a lively one. Potok manages to find ways to keep your attention. Sentences like the one opening Chapter 10, "On May 31, 1665, the Messiah came," jolt you awake. And it's not really a spoiler. The statement simply introduces one of the many colorful episodes that I, as a Gentile, had never heard of before. It makes you eager to explore more of the rich and complex history that Potok has to offer.