A historical book written by a novelist, that is, not by a historian, and perhaps precisely for this reason it is very beautiful and fluent. Although it is very long, it is easy to read. Certainly, the judgments are often one-sided and not dictated by a true historical investigation. But the essential elements are there to say that it is a beautiful historical book very useful for knowing the history of the Jews.

This book offers a unique perspective on Jewish history. The novelist's approach brings a certain creativity and narrative charm to the subject matter. While the lack of a strictly historical methodology may raise some concerns, the overall story and the key elements presented provide valuable insights.

Readers can immerse themselves in the world of the Jews as depicted in this book, learning about their experiences, struggles, and contributions. It serves as a starting point for further exploration and a means to gain a better understanding of this important aspect of history.

Despite its limitations, the book's beauty and readability make it a worthwhile addition to any collection interested in Jewish history or historical literature in general.

A remarkable and solid synthesis of Jewish history throughout the ages has been masterfully crafted by a renowned Jewish-American author. Potok, with his unique blend of writer's talent and profound erudition, has created a work that is both engaging and enlightening. What I truly appreciated about his approach was his humility and honesty. When the historical record becomes scarce, he is not afraid to offer conjectures, yet he lays out all his thoughts and reasoning clearly, leaving no room for doubt.

Moreover, although he is deeply emotionally invested in his subject, he presents Jewish history in its entirety, warts and all. He gives critics of the Jews and Judaism their due attention when appropriate, providing a balanced and comprehensive view. However, it must be noted that his narrative loses some of its momentum in the modern era and comes to a complete halt around the time of the Holocaust and the foundation of Israel. This could potentially be another demonstration of his humility, as we are perhaps in the weakest position to objectively judge the most recent part of our history.

Nevertheless, the silver lining is that his book remains as relevant today as it was when it was first published several decades ago. It is a work that will stand the test of time and be cherished by generations to come. Truly, this is one for the ages.

I absolutely adored this story about the Jewish people!

The objectivity is not the top priority of this book as the narrative intertwines myth and historicity.

The author also brings a personal touch to it, attempting to interpret certain events and shed light on their motivations.

This is a brand new approach, extremely original!

It offers a fresh perspective on the history and experiences of the Jewish people, allowing readers to engage with the subject matter in a different way.

The combination of myth and reality creates a rich and complex tapestry that keeps the reader hooked from beginning to end.

Overall, it is a remarkable piece of work that I would highly recommend to anyone interested in learning more about the Jewish people and their history.

Please provide the article that needs to be rewritten and expanded so that I can assist you further.

The original article is not provided. Please share the article you want me to rewrite and expand so that I can assist you further.

This book, which is Chaim Potok's only work of non-fiction, presents a history of the Jews, spanning from Ur (Abraham's birthplace) to Entebbe.

I awarded the book three stars, even though I truly enjoyed it and found significant portions of it to be worthwhile. There are several reasons for this.

Firstly, the treatment of the last 170 years of Jewish history was overly condensed.

Secondly, American Jewish history received very short shrift.

Thirdly, the treatment of Islam focused on its "golden era" in Spain, rather than the far more representative periods of extreme violence and bloodshed, such as those associated with events like September 11.

Fourthly, the author thoroughly trashes the period of history known as The Enlightenment.

The book, as it necessarily does, places a heavy emphasis on the ups and downs of pre-Diaspora life in the Levant. That portion of the book was extremely good. Potok seems to hold the view that Jewish life, at that point, transferred to Europe, and from that point on, Jewish life initially died a slow death, which then accelerated. He views the Enlightenment era as a disaster.

However, this is problematic. The pre-Enlightenment period was indeed horrific. And when the Enlightenment first spread to England and then to America, the results were extremely positive for the Jewish people. There is no doubt in my mind that the European interlude was a barely mitigated tragedy and disaster. He does provide very good, even humorous examples of the completely crazed nature of Catholic religious belief and other fringe Christian beliefs of the Middle Ages.

Inexplicably, he barely mentions the Protestant Reformation and does not mention the Gutenberg Press at all. Overall, the book was well worth the month I spent reading it. Was it perfect? Hardly.

Read prior to Israel trip.

It is highly advisable to engage in some reading before embarking on a trip to Israel. This preparatory reading can provide valuable insights and enhance your overall experience.

By reading about Israel's rich history, you can gain a better understanding of the events and civilizations that have shaped the country. Learn about the ancient kingdoms, the religious significance of different sites, and the complex political and social developments over the years.

Explore Israel's diverse culture through reading. Discover its unique traditions, art, music, and cuisine. This knowledge will allow you to appreciate and engage more deeply with the local people and their way of life.

Reading about Israel's geography and natural landscapes can also be beneficial. Familiarize yourself with the different regions, from the coastal plains to the mountains and deserts. This will help you plan your itinerary and make the most of your time in the country.

In conclusion, taking the time to read prior to your Israel trip will not only enrich your knowledge but also enhance your ability to fully immerse yourself in the beauty and complexity of this remarkable destination.

I really enjoyed reading "Wanderings" a great deal.

However, it seemed that approximately 50% of the book could have been removed without significantly affecting the parts that I found truly captivating. These included the patriarchal period, the transition from cult-based to Rabbinic Judaism, the movement of the centers of Rabbinic thought from Jerusalem to Babylon, then to Cordova in Muslim Spain, western Europe, and finally to eastern Europe and the United States.

Also, his tracing of the development of anti-Semitism was of great interest to me. It was fascinating to see how it both contributed to and was influenced by the continuous wanderings of the Jews.

I understand that in order to set the context for anti-Semitism, Potok felt the need to present portraits of the gentile civilizations with which the Jews interacted. But some of the digressions into pagan history, which I am already relatively more familiar with, seemed rather perfunctory and uninteresting.

Overall, despite these minor drawbacks, "Wanderings" provided a wealth of knowledge and insights into the history and experiences of the Jewish people.

I absolutely adored this book.

Having had very limited knowledge of Jewish history, I was able to glean a wealth of information and obtain answers to several questions that had been萦绕 in my mind for years.

For instance, where did the Jewish people originally hail from? How did the Palestinian situation come about, and why does achieving peace seem like such an unattainable objective?

I firmly believe that, whether one is Jewish or not, this book offers a remarkable, genuine, and well-informed perspective on Judaism.

It delves deep into the rich tapestry of Jewish history, culture, and beliefs, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of this fascinating religion.

The author's engaging writing style makes the content accessible and enjoyable, even for those with little prior knowledge.

Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about Judaism and its impact on the world.

A novelist's perspective on a complex religious history is truly fascinating. It combines biblical scholarship, archeology, and imagination in a unique way. I'm currently reading my Revised Standard Bible in conjunction with this view.

On 5/8/10, I've been reading this in fragments. As I do, I'm reminded of The Source, which I read during a cold mini-term in the house at Knox, with Manfred Mann's Earth Band providing a continuous musical backdrop. That's the main fictional book I've read about the history of Israel, and I'm almost at the point where Potok's narrative departs from Israel.

The book remains captivating, but it's heavy to hold in bed while reading. Since it was written in the 70's, I'm pondering what to read next to stay updated on the scholarly research that has been conducted since then.

I've also been reflecting on US history. If someone were to write a history of the populations on this continent, how would they summarize it? We would be less than a chapter in the story, and ours would be a tale of constant war, incursions, extinctions, and introductions (of people, plants, and animals), as well as city-building and landscaping.

And yet, we continue to believe that the way we live is the correct and only way it has ever been.

I have a deep love for this particular subject. Recently, I was on a hunt for a book that could impart some knowledge about Judaism to me.

At times, while going through the book, I found it a little dull. However, when considering it as a whole, it is truly a remarkable book.

It serves as an excellent resource for those individuals who are eager to understand the rich culture of Judaism and gain insights into the experiences that this community has endured over the centuries.

The book provides valuable information and perspectives that can enhance one's understanding and appreciation of this unique culture and its history.

Despite the occasional moments of boredom, the overall value of the book makes it a worthwhile read for anyone interested in learning about Judaism.

Sorry, not for me.

As much as I liked 'Chosen', I disliked this one. I really wanted to finish it and made a genuine attempt, but unfortunately, it just didn't work for me.

The writing in this book is overly wordy, which makes it feel watered down and slow-paced. It seems as if the author was trying to fill up the pages with unnecessary words and descriptions.

Maybe 50 years ago, this style of writing would have been acceptable, but in today's fast-paced world, readers have higher expectations. There are so many other great books out there that offer more engaging stories and better writing.

Certainly, I have better options to choose from when it comes to reading. I'm disappointed with this book and will be looking for something more exciting and well-written to satisfy my reading cravings.