The Source by james a. michener

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

I read this when I was in grade 10, and it has remained with me all these years later.

It offers a profoundly visceral portrayal of the lives, villages, towns, and cities that develop (and decline) around a single water source - a well - throughout millennia of human history.

The well serves as the focal point, a symbol of life and sustenance. It见证了人类社会的变迁与发展，从最初的小村庄，到逐渐繁荣的城镇，再到现代化的大都市。

People gather around the well, sharing stories, exchanging goods, and building communities. It is a place of connection and interaction, where relationships are formed and cultures are born.

However, as time passes, the well may also face challenges. Pollution, overuse, and the encroachment of modernization can all威胁到its existence.

This article makes us reflect on the importance of water and the need to protect our natural resources. It reminds us that the well is not just a physical object, but a part of our collective memory and history.

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lilpompadour

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Because when men ignite in their hearts a religious fury, they inflict at the same time a blindness upon their eyes. This profound statement holds great significance.

I recall devouring "Hawaii" when I was a teenager. It was a captivating experience that left a lasting impression. Recently, when I stumbled upon a whole box of Michener novels at a yard sale, I was overjoyed. I knew that these books would offer a wealth of historical description and meticulous attention to detail, engaging the reader in the triumphs and struggles that span the thousands of years of Jewish history in the land now known as the State of Israel.

Realistically, the history alone makes it a 4-star read. However, the story had its drawbacks. Sometimes, I had a hard time feeling interested in several of the plots. The 1964 contemporary period storyline about the Irish Catholic archaeologist falling for the Jewish woman who was also in love with the smart Jewish soldier/politician guy was a bit convoluted. In the end, the story became weird because it seemed that every guy was in love with her. Minus the romance, it would have been an interesting story about those two characters. Considering this timeline was the central focus of the novel and was spread throughout the other periods of history, it is with good reason that it bogged me down.

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Quoos

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

This book should be compulsory reading for all students.

Michener employs his historical fiction style to track the evolution of the world's three major religions (Jewish, Christian, and Muslim) through the narrative of the UR family.

The origin of the UR family was in the caves of Makor in 10,000 BCE. The story is centered around a dig at the Tell of Makor in 1964.

Makor is a fictional place that was mentioned in the Old Testament. The dig is carried out by a group from Chicago, but most of the workers are from the newly established state of Israel.

They have a profound interest in the history of their newly acquired Jewish state in the Holy Land. This book is about the Holy Land.

As the layers of history are unearthed, the story unfolds through time. Along with it, the reader witnesses the development of the three faiths.

This book clarifies a great deal about why many Muslims hated Christians. It also examines the suffering of the Jews at the hands of others, including Muslims, Christians, Greeks, and Romans.

The book also, for me, made me understand why the founders of our country believed that only a secular government would permit freedom of religion.

The Christian right should read this book, especially the chapters dealing with the Crusades and the Spanish Inquisition.

The Catholic Church's corruption and control of politics during this time surely influenced Voltaire and others who influenced the founders of our nation.

We are not a Christian nation; we are a secular nation that allows all religions to be practiced. When one faith rules, then you no longer have freedom of religion. This is a great book!

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xana_lee

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

I began reading this book with great enthusiasm, as the premise seemed fascinating: to look at the history of Israel through the eyes of archaeologists at a dig. However, unfortunately, I now feel that this was a subject far too vast in scope, even for this author and his renowned research.

After discarding the first chapter on cavemen as an outlier, each subsequent chapter failed to halt the plummeting credibility factor. I am quite certain that Michener did not truly understand Biblical history. For instance, his portrayal of King David was simply laughable, even when considering his mistakes and flaws. So, how much could I trust his artistic interpretations from other sources as well?

After investing a significant amount of time in more than half of the book, I came to the realization that no amount of time would be able to rectify these flaws. I give it 2 stars instead of 1 (1&1/2 would be more appropriate) because I did gain an understanding and appreciation for the malevolence of Ba'al and other cult-worshipping groups, which helped me comprehend why Yahweh would authorize their eradication from the earth.

Nevertheless, the protagonists in his vignettes of each historical period, even the Jewish ones, often exhibited a high degree of animosity towards "God" in any form. I do not believe that Israel's history is as bleak and dismal as he presents it. Yes, it has been challenging, but is it really so devoid of joy throughout every era? He even made miraculous events seem dark and suspicious in nature.

Overall, while there were some redeeming qualities, the book ultimately fell short of my expectations.

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xGama

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

I first read The Source many years ago. It was probably less than a decade after its publication in 1965.

This book was an excellent means to learn some history about the State of Israel. It also introduced the issues that the Rabbinate created for couples desiring to marry but not meeting the exacting standards of Orthodox Halacha due to the disallowance of civil marriage. However, I digress.

When reading the novel again from a more feminist perspective, I couldn't help but notice that every chapter except one [the Voice of Gomer] was written from a man's point of view. True, there were numerous female secondary characters, but most of them seemed more like interchangeable wives, daughters, or sex objects rather than real people. I attempted not to be critical of James A. Michener's portrayal of Arabs as greedy and craven, a common stereotype at that time. Also, his apparent admiration for the Hasidic rabbis, who are despised by most Israelis today. By the way, I was curious about Michener's religion and was intrigued to discover that he was a foundling, raised as a Quaker.

Nevertheless, I still rate it 5 stars. The amount of research involved is truly remarkable, and I only found the modern and most recent chapters somewhat problematic. I liked how the continuous thread is the family/descendants of Ur, and that we get a scene with a Jewish man whose ancestors have always resided in the same location and never left Israel. Most importantly, I read the entire novel in just 3 days. It was extremely difficult to put down.

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StalkerPoetess

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

This is typical Michener. He embarked on the archaeological excavations at Hazor to conduct in-depth research.

I truly adored it when I read it during my junior high years. Part of the reason I did so was to prove to myself that I was capable of reading such lengthy books. Subsequently, I reread it several times.

Now, as an archaeologist specializing in ancient Israel, I can assert that it is an enjoyable book to peruse. However, the interpretations it presents are sensationalist, blatantly Zionist, and have now become outdated.

On the flip side, it likely piques interest in my field, and it remains a pleasure to read.

Despite its flaws, Michener's work has had an impact, both in attracting readers and in generating discussions about the archaeology and history of ancient Israel.

It serves as a reminder that while literature can be a source of entertainment and inspiration, it is also important to approach it with a critical eye and to consider the context in which it was written.

Overall, it is a complex and multifaceted work that continues to be relevant in the study of ancient Israel and archaeology.

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Kuta_Berhe

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

I have delved into a considerable number of Michener's literary works, and this particular one stands out as among the very best.

What truly captivated me was the ingenious way in which Michener presented each period within the story. He did so by detailing how a dig uncovers artifacts nestled in different layers, each corresponding to a distinct era.

I found myself especially enthralled by the segments that described the holding of the Olympic games. It was truly fascinating to envision how the people of that time observed and participated in these events.

Moreover, there was a particularly captivating chapter that explored the evolution of religion through the introduction of a figurine of Astarte. This added an extra layer of depth and intrigue to the narrative.

Overall, this book is not only highly engaging but also extremely educational. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who has an interest in learning more about Israel and the surrounding regions. It offers a rich and detailed exploration of the history, culture, and people of this fascinating area.

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janjangotnobtchs

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

I have a great passion for understanding various aspects related to other people. This includes delving deep into their minds and trying to comprehend how they think.

It is this curiosity that makes me believe that a particular book could be truly worthy of reading.

Religion, in my perception, is not just a set of beliefs and practices but rather the very force that governs the universe.

We, as human beings, possess the remarkable power to connect with this force.

Through this connection, we can gain a deeper understanding of ourselves, others, and the world around us.

This power of connection has the potential to transform our lives and bring us closer to a state of inner peace and fulfillment.

I am eager to explore this further through the pages of the book and see what new insights and perspectives it has to offer.

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The Source

james a. michener

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james a. michener

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