You're probably wondering, why on earth would one read the entire thing (a whopping 1070 pages) when it ultimately gets a meagre 2 stars* rating? Well, here lies the secret of those massive books. If an author wants readers to finish their poorly written tome, just make it huge. At first, readers will persevere with the hope that the book simply had an awkward start. But by the time they reach a quarter of the way through and realize it's just plain bad, they'll continue anyway because they've already "come this far" and put in the effort.

So that's the reason. And why exactly is this book so bad? Well, it does have some brilliant ideas here and there, which is the only reason I gave it 2 stars instead of 1. But for the most part, the book is dreadfully boring, long-winded, and充斥着 the same old tired, annoying, 1950s tropes and stock characters. The contemporary protagonist might as well have been called Indiana Jones and been done with it. The newborn Israelis are these rough, hardened workers. I couldn't help but think of noble savages, or in this case, noble Jews. Boring stock characters who have no traits aside from their "Jewness" (sorry). The book is also full of misogyny. All female characters can be divided into two allegories: The Pure Virgin (the ones who are sweet, pure, have "coquettish" features, are small and petite, and don't mind being married off to brutish, ugly Jew monsters - yes, this stereotype is prominent in the book too, with the "Jew man" described as animal-like, hunched, and dumb - and have no other features except being a Jewess). On the other hand, you have The Evil Wench, the plotting, evil, mean, manipulating, and worst of all, cheating and lying traitors who will all leave their man for another just like that, or (literal quote) "shed those well-known fake, calculating female tears" (what the fuck?). What kind of nasty fetish did the writer have? Did his dick get stomped on by his mommy? Not to mention that almost all the females meet a gruesome end. They die more often than their sad, noble Jewish counterparts. Ugh. Oh, and our Indiana Jones keeps harassing one of them to marry him even though she repeatedly tells him no. And then he almost fights with another male for her hand. As if her opinion on the matter doesn't even matter.

Judaism is described in the book as an ugly, dead tree stump, from which the final blooming branch called Christianity sprouted. It's the White Men's Burden all over again. The Jews are portrayed as dumb for not realizing Judaism is a dead religion, and I think the writer either secretly thought they got what was coming to them or had another fetish, maybe BDSM or a gore fetish, because they all die horrible deaths. Not a single chapter ends happily.

There are also some other trope-y things: greedy, manipulating Arabs (duh), money-loving American Jews (duh), The Good Innocent Catholic, etcetera etcetera. I grew so tired of it towards the end of the book.

Most chapters end abruptly, and there's even a whole chapter dedicated to repeating some lame, boring Jewish Talmud laws. Yawn. I could write a book like this.

But despite all the hate (and clearly I hate a lot of it lol), the book did have some brilliant parts and was quite educative in some aspects. Apart from the judgmental 1950s morality, it provided great insights into the history of Palestine/Israel and the Jews. Even nowadays, some of it still holds true. I can't ignore this and give it just 1 star. It's just too bad that the good stuff is buried beneath so much bullshit.

Edit 6/8/22: After further consideration, I have decided to change my review to 1 star.

Always a wonderful read. I have the habit of reading this book every decade, and miraculously, I learn something new each time. It is truly the best way to recall the story of the people of Israel.

Of course, it is dated, as it was written prior to the 67 war. However, it is classic enough to vividly explain the background of the modern day conflict.

This time, for the first time, I was annoyed by the character of Vered. Her story didn't seem true to a Palmach fighter in my opinion. In my mind, the character is far too frivolous and wouldn't have made the choices that she made.

But that is just a tiny "beef" compared to the enrichment that this book brings with every reading. It enriches my understanding of history and the human spirit, making it a truly valuable literary work.

The Source by James Michener is truly a remarkable work.

It offers a stunning vision and an incredibly wide scope, delving deep into the rich tapestry of Jewish culture and history.

The book is extremely long, consisting of over 500,000 words spread across 1200+ pages in fine print.

It covers a vast time period, starting from around 10,000 BC and encompassing pre-Judaic, proto-Judaic/Hebrew, and Judaic history.

The story begins at an archaeological dig in Israel at a "tell," an ancient and long-abandoned city.

Fifteen artifacts are discovered in a test trench, each at a different level, providing a fascinating glimpse into different eras.

Michener weaves a story for each artifact, alternating between historical tales and a contemporary narrative set at the dig.

Through these stories, he explores various aspects of Jewish culture, such as Zionism, the mystics, and the tension between the Arab and Jewish worlds.

The book also touches on pre-Hebrew religions, early Christianity, the Crusades, Roman rule, Muslim culture, and the interpretation of the Torah.

What makes this novel so engaging is Michener's ability to bring history to life with vivid plots and relatable characters.

It is not just a dry academic treatise but a captivating read that offers a profound understanding of Jewish culture and history.

Whether you are interested in history, religion, or simply a good story, The Source is definitely worth reading.

Loved it!

It's truly daunting as it consists of over 1000 pages and has been sitting on my shelf ever since my mom gave it to me during high school or college.

I finally picked it up in August and had a rather rough start. However, once I got into it, I found it absolutely fascinating. It felt more like a history lesson that I should have received in school, even though it's a work of fiction.

I would highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in world history, regardless of the era, and world religions. It was especially relevant to the events that took place in Gaza in the past weeks.

Many parts of this book made me question once again the value of humanity at times and whether it will always be in human nature to hate, disagree, and hurt one another. Although I'm aware of historical horrors, they never fail to amaze and sadden me.

Religions, cultural differences, and war seem to be never-ending. This book has sparked in me a desire to learn and read more, to better understand what has come before me and what is likely to follow.

There's a new Bollywood movie titled "Bawaal" (meaning "Disaster") which is about the Holocaust. Reportedly, it is full of errors and makes numerous missteps. However, a Holocaust scholar in India holds a different view. She believes that overall, the movie has a positive aspect. The scholar points out that the Holocaust is virtually unknown in India. In fact, Indians sometimes name their children Hitler, a practice that would be unheard of in America and perhaps in all of the West. Given this general ignorance, the scholar argues that simply broaching the subject of the Holocaust is a major step forward.

Despite the reported ignorance, I've read elsewhere that antisemitism has not been a significant issue in India.

The ignorance about the Holocaust in India aligns with what Trevor Noah wrote in "Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood". The story I recall is about him being in a band that was performing before a Jewish audience. One of the band members was named Hitler and was introduced as such. Due to the same cultural cluelessness on the subject as in India, the Jewish audience freaked out. Moreover, not understanding why the audience was outraged, Trevor Noah became outraged in return, assuming the audience was looking down on them for their sexy performance. It was a case of cultural ignorance all around!

The analogy isn't perfect, but I'm suggesting that overall, there are aspects that can be considered positively.

Moving on to "The Source" by James Michener, it was published in 1964. Michener took advantage of a cultural opening at that time when the liberal elite in America was pro-Israel. The book has many issues and inaccuracies, which are based on both Michener's Christian perspective and the fact that it was written in the mid-twentieth century. However, I think the book, in large part, represents Michener's struggle towards a more positive view of Israel, Jews, Judaism, and "the Old Testament" (though for Jews, it's not the old testament). The struggle pays off despite the errors because it's crucial to face difficulties and talk about them, even if the discussion is incomplete and imperfect. Until that happens, there can be no change. The worst situation is when the subject is treated as if it were poison and cannot be touched with a ten-foot pole. Silence can be worse than active abuse, considering what lies beneath the surface. For positive change to occur, like sunshine getting in, stones must be overturned.

Let's now look at the good, the bad, and the ugly aspects of "The Source" in more detail.

Overview

Michener uses an archeological dig set in the (then) present as a framing story. From this, he diverges into 15 chapters, covering a vast time period from prehistory until the Israeli war of independence. He depicts various aspects such as paganism, the Hebrews, King David's times, Hellenism, Herod's times, the Romans, Talmudic times, the coming of Islam, the Crusades at the beginning and end, Kabbalah, the Ottoman period at its end, and the Jews who returned. Each of these segments can be considered a story or, as one of my friends says, a novella.

The book is fictional, and the site of the dig - the Tell - is completely made up. This fact must be kept in mind as Michener populates it with real historical characters and events, shaping them to fit the needs of the story.

Issues related to the time it was written: early 1960s

For example, a water tunnel under Jerusalem was thought to have been created by ancient engineers, which forms the basis of one of Michener's stories. However, it was later learned in 1994 that the tunnel followed a natural channel.

The theme of the book reflects the hopes and expectations of the day that archeology was going to "prove" the bible.

The book also contains elements of sexism, racism, and Orientalism that are consistent with mid-century attitudes.

It further reflects conventional mid-century understandings of bible stories.

Distortions due to the author's viewpoint

James Michener was adopted and didn't know his birth parents. He had a Quaker upbringing, but his views as seen in "The Source" seem quite typical of Christian views. He struggled with the concept of "Law" versus "Love". His omnipotent narrator, or perhaps his characters, had been raised believing that the Old Testament was outdated and had been replaced by the New. He thought that the religion of Judaism was cold, unemotional, and legalistic until David and others warmed it up by writing the Psalms. (Perhaps not unrelated: the psalter was the first devotional text for Christians.) He also had the view that Jews thought of God as a white-haired old man. These are all Christian concerns, not Jewish ones.

Also, Michener had his main archeological character, a Catholic, be frequently overwhelmed by the beauty or spirituality of Judaism. At one point, he made such a beautiful analogy (the bonsai tree) that I thought he was going to have his Catholic character convert to Judaism (to get the girl). But after a moment, I thought, "Nah!"

Michener was at great pains to counteract stereotypes about Jewish appearance. Early on, he said that what people (mid-century white American Christians?) think of as how Jews look is more nearly how Arabs look. Subsequently, he referred multiple times (five to seven, maybe) to blue-eyed Jews. Near the end, finally, there was a brown-eyed one.

The book was not all errors, but these are some that stood out. Michener had clearly done a great deal of research and learned a lot about Judaism. It's just that his personal beliefs and his new insights and learning were often tangled, probably in a way that reflected the views of many readers of this bestseller.

Some mistakes are just mistakes

For instance, a seventh-century Arab commander who is out of his comfort zone (the desert) and leading his men through a cold wintry Galilean swamp gets repulsed by hopping frogs and writhing snakes. There's something wrong with this picture.

I know it's a small thing, but it's grating.

Here's another confusing one. He spoke of Arab Christians in the Holy Land practicing their faith since the early centuries, then said that the first Arab didn't appear in the area until the seventh century. I initially thought that was correct, but I was wrong. For example, according to "Jerusalem: The Biography" by Simon Sebag Montefiore, Herod's mother was an Arab. Looking it up, I found that the first people called Arab hailed from the Syrian desert as far back as the ninth century BCE. So, they had indeed been seen in the land before the seventh century. And the internet tells me that the Christian Arab presence, that is, tribes that had converted, predates the seventh-century Muslim conquests.

There's also a more subtle issue. For Michener, religion in prehistory was approximately the same as it is for us today, that is, a removable and changeable attribute. But this only happened towards the turn of the Christian era. Some say Judaism was the first "-ism", and some argue that the change was due to the needs of Christianity, which didn't stick with one ethnicity but wanted them all. Before that, people had something we call religion, but it was an integral part of who they were, their people, and their way of life. It was not removable or changeable. That's why there was no conversion during the times of the Hebrew bible. Now, when we look back, we project our experience of two+ millennia into the past.

Michener also had that suspicion of town life that can be found among some philosophers.

He was convinced that towns had "shops" selling imported goods way back in time. In "The Source", it was all about shops, shops, and more shops. While markets or market day existed, shops were an aspect of capitalism and came with the emerging market economy. They were an object of suspicion long before they were seen as the basis of "our way of life". Shops don't fit with a subsistence economy where most households make most of what they consume and consume most of what they make. But again, because shops have been around for so long, we can't help but envision them when we look back at history.

Like almost everyone, he thought that people are just people and experience themselves in the same way as they do now. This leads to what can be called a costume drama, with people like us running around in period costume.

General confusion

If you're going to take real historical figures and place them in imaginary places, and then have them take fictional actions, it can be very confusing. Michener also takes biblical names and attaches them to some fictional figures that have nothing to do with their biblical counterparts. Maybe he just liked the names. In the service of telling his stories, he'll move time periods around, which can have you scratching your head.

The author's goals

I think Michener had several goals. He wanted to relieve the world of some of its ignorance and prejudice about Jews and Judaism. As I've mentioned, I also think he was writing to work through his own conflicts regarding Judaism. And last but not least, he wanted to write a book that people would buy.

On that last point, he was successful. In 1965, the book was number one on the bestseller list for 10 months. As I write this, 5,089 Goodreads members are currently reading it, more than half a century after it was written.

He did make progress in his struggle to understand Judaism and reconcile himself to its persistence.

And as I said at the start, he did widen the world's view of Jews and Judaism.

One review I came across while looking up the bestseller statistics claims that Michener (along with "Exodus") solidified American support for Israel. However, I think it was more along the lines of building on an idea whose time had already come. Walter Russell Mead, in "The Arc of a Covenant: The United States, Israel, and the Fate of the Jewish People", shows that Israel had been a cause of the U.S. liberal elite since 1948 and in 1965 was actually nearing the end of its favorable run among American "elites".

Nevertheless, this very widely read book is important beyond its errors and other failings. It simply talks about a subject that is too easily silenced and erased.

The book was important to my parents. Jews who came of age in the first half of the twentieth century in America were subject to negative attitudes openly expressed by the elites. The book must have raised my parents' self-esteem.

There are American Jews closer to my age who had been assimilated and lost to the faith but were brought back by "The Source".

As for me, I'm afraid I would have been repulsed if anyone had tried to get me to read it in my youth. I read about 10 or 20 pages of "Hawaii" by James A. Michener before abandoning it. For me, it took more than just a book. And to finish reading "The Source", I needed a book club.

Additional thought (September 12, 2023): Many liberal Protestants love Amy-Jill Levine's "The Misunderstood Jew: The Church and the Scandal of the Jewish Jesus", possibly because, regardless of what's in the book, it's a Jew respectfully talking about Jesus. And the same explanation probably holds for why so many Jews love "The Source": no matter what the details are, a Christian is talking respectfully about Judaism. There is something to be said for not looking a gift horse in the mouth.

Before I end, and for comparison purposes, here's a ChatGPT (AI) review of "The Source" supposedly written in "my style" that my husband had it write back in April. It's one of three, and none of them sound remotely like me (and I had not yet read the book). At least this version doesn't say how much I love historical fiction.

Write a book review of James Michener's The Source in the style of Jan Rice.

James Michener's The Source is a sweeping epic that spans thousands of years of human history in the Middle East. With his signature attention to detail and vivid prose, Michener takes readers on a journey that begins with the dawn of civilization and ends with the modern state of Israel. What sets The Source apart from other historical novels is its unique structure. The novel is set in the fictional town of Makor, located in the region of Galilee in modern-day Israel. Each chapter tells the story of a different period in Makor's history, from prehistoric times to the present day. Through the eyes of Makor's residents, Michener explores the rise and fall of civilizations, the clash of cultures, and the enduring power of faith. The Source is a masterful work of historical fiction that combines meticulous research with gripping storytelling. Michener's characters are richly drawn, and his descriptions of the landscapes and architecture of the Middle East are breathtaking. The novel's scope is ambitious, but Michener's deft touch ensures that it never feels overwhelming. As a reader, I was particularly struck by Michener's ability to convey the complex interplay between religion, politics, and culture. Through the characters of the book, Michener shows how these forces have shaped the Middle East for millennia, and how they continue to do so today. In short, James Michener's The Source is a towering achievement in historical fiction. It is a book that will transport you to another time and place, and leave you with a deeper understanding of the world we live in. If you are a fan of epic historical novels, this is a book you simply cannot miss.

Not me!

History, as typically presented in books written by historians, often fails to capture the significance of those small events that frequently shape the course of destiny. However, this type of book does just that. Even those history books that manage to avoid the hindsight bias (a significant number of them do not), still suffer from a strong "conclusion" bias, as they are written by the victorious survivors.

This storybook is classified as historical fiction, but it could easily have been an anthology if not for the fact that it was written by the same author and bound together by a tenuous archaeological thread. The novel demonstrates how a series of gradually changing ordinary day events can cause an otherwise static, small (and fictional) community to play a major role in the origin of three major religions and the current state of the Middle East. Of course, the more fascinating aspect of the story is how the community's daily life and the relationships among its members are affected by the unfolding history around them.

The setting is in a part of northern Israel. The first of the fourteen or so stories describes how a nomadic, ancient tribe begins to believe in certain gods, giving rise to the Pagan era. The stories then jump through different eras to describe the emergence of pre-Judaic beliefs, the rise of monotheism with various parallel beliefs, Jewish life during the Hellenistic and then Roman eras, the beginning and dominance of the Christian and then Muslim eras, the developments that led to the Jewish religion, practices, and beliefs that exist today, the various cross-currents that led to the persecution of the Jews in almost every period, and finally the arrival of the Jewish nationality.

Many of the stories are difficult to read as they vividly描绘 the plight of the Jews. It doesn't help when one knows that there is little "justice in the end."

For anyone interested in understanding how Jewish (or Middle-Eastern, if not also European and global) history has come into being, this fictional account, despite its flaws, is a must-read. It is extremely long but barely sufficient given the impossibly vast scope.

I was a child during the Seventies.

I am an only child and both of my parents were voracious readers. Several of James Michener's novels could be found scattered about the house or causing the shelves in our library to groan under their weight. The man's books were huge sellers back then and he enjoyed strong sales up to his death in 1997 (at the age of 90) and beyond. He was a meticulous researcher and his books were massive.

The Source was one of those novels that I recall seeing as a kid. It's not actually one single novel. It's more of an anthology with the unifying theme being an archeological dig in Northern Israel in 1964. As the archeologists work their way through the different levels at the dig or tale, they find artifacts. Those artifacts then take the reader to the respective historical era, detailing what occurred on the site during that period. The story progresses from the Stone Age to 1948. The first chapter and the final chapters are set in 1964 and serve as bookends.

It's interesting and readable, but it is thick and I took six months to read it. Mr. Michener was famous for his research and the thickness of his books. I've read that he would spend between 12 to 15 hours a day writing. That's an incredible work ethic. He wrote over 40 books during his lifetime (1907 - 1997).

However, while strong on details, descriptions, and research, his characters tend to be rather one dimensional. I suppose that's inevitable when you write on such a grand scale. I think Michener felt his characters were more important as actors in his great historical dramas. It's not bad, but just somewhat basic at times. The novel is very readable, but of course, it's dated. It's heavy in theology and not as mindful of the Jewish and Arab differences. But this novel was published in 1964 and many of the events that followed, like the Six Day War, the Yom Kippur War, and so on, were still in the future. The modern Israel in this novel seems historical in 2022.

Heavy, time-consuming, dated but still very readable. If you're looking at going on a family vacation and can only take one book, then I recommend The Source.

After reading 'Alaska' immediately before this one, I did not find this as good.

This book tells the tale of the Middle East and the spark of early Judaism and its transmutation into Christianity and Islam. The story is broken into two parts. One part is an archaeological excavation site, which offers a unique perspective on the past. The other part is a historical-fiction style of Middle Eastern religious-based history.

James Michener follows a similar style of writing. He starts with prehistoric information, then delves into the early Hebrews and Canaanites. After that, he transitions into Roman rule of the Middle East and the birth of Christianity. Next, he explores the rise of Islam and finally, the modern era.

There are again lots of historical people and events included in the book. These range from King David and Nebuchadnezzar to Caligula, the Ottomans, the Spanish Inquisition, and the eventual creation of the State of Israel in 1948.

I get the idea of the story but I liked 'Alaska' better. This book had a back-and-forth feel with transitions from history and back to the excavation site. There is a lot of information and historical relevance in this book but overall, I preferred the narrative and atmosphere of 'Alaska'. Thanks!

This behemoth of a book

takes the reader on a journey that spans from pre-historical times all the way through 1964 (the year when the book was actually penned). The focus is on one main area in modern-day Israel.

Michener employs the concept of an archeological shaft digging straight down through the fictionalized ruins of Makor. This device allows him to explore the fluxes of people and religion in Israel.

We see the strong influence of Romans, Crusaders, Turks, and Arabs on the genealogy and culture. However, it is the Jews that Michener is most intently focused on. He delves into who they are, what it means to be a Jew, what their religion entails, how it might have evolved, and their profound connection to the Holy Land.

Michener has clearly done extensive research, but his writing quality varies. It meanders between being mediocre, boring, and at times, rather obvious. Subtlety is not his strong suit.

Nevertheless, he does manage to create some fascinating characters. There were a few chapters that truly drew me in due to the engaging plot.

But in all honesty, this book is best appreciated for the in-depth discussion of history, culture, and religion that it offers, rather than for its writing style, plot, or characters.

This novel reveals The Source of the fractious and long-standing Mideast Conflict.

Sounds like a great book to mull over, doesn't it?

It is.

But I, when I read most of it -

In 1967, after my Dad dropped me off at the Canadian civil service swimming pool, the brainchild of the Ottawa RA Centre -

Was so "distracted to distraction by distraction" by the self-conscious faces of my fellow teens that I didn't see I'd shifted into third gear.

My mind raced while reading. For I had suddenly TRANSCENDED my self-consciousness through my BOOKS. That day, though Dad had tried to extrovert me, he had failed.

I was now a "loner." Heaven help me!

For it so happened that I had to soon after be admitted to a Funny Farm, so asocial had I grown!

Yet, these books I read, I loved. And Michener's was no exception.

***

The sun was glaring hot, and baked my teenaged hide, sitting at the RA pool and staring absently at other teens looking up to see if they were being looked at.

Remember T.S. Eliot? “They had the look of things that are looked at” - teen angst in poetry. Coming of age.

Ah youth, as Marlowe chortled!

Yes, Joseph Conrad - you were right. Our youth is wasted on the too-young.

And even I -

With a vastly entertaining book like The Source, one of James Michener's masterworks -

Was as totally bored as only the other absent, blase and nincompoopish too-young can be. Turning into a Mr. Hyde a little too fast!

***

For as the nurses in my friendly neighbourhood psych ward were to abjure me two years later -

"I was NOT living in the Real World -

I had one whole Hockeysock fulla growing up left to do!”

And man oh man were they RIGHT on both counts!

I had yet to learn how to LIVE.

But now, sixty years later -

I have finally got pills that help me downshift my teeming brain -

So all’s well that ends well...

On my good days.

This book provides a detailed chronicle of the history of the Jewish people, spanning from the times of cavemen to the present day.

In reality, the caveman himself wasn't Jewish, but his descendants were. I somewhat skimmed through the caveman part as I'm not truly interested in that aspect. However, I found the main portion of the book, which is firmly based on history, to be both fascinating and compelling.

Michener's approach to telling the story is by delving into the layers at an archaeological dig site, with each layer unfolding a unique narrative. Jewish history is truly amazing.

Two final points to note: If your sympathies lean more towards the Palestinians, you might not have a favorable opinion of this book. Additionally, this book is extremely long, which could be a deterrent for some readers.

Despite its length, for those interested in Jewish history, it offers a wealth of information and insights.

A long read but ultimately a satisfying one.

This statement holds true for many literary works and experiences. When we embark on a long read, it can initially seem daunting. The pages stretch before us, and we might wonder if we have the patience to see it through. However, as we immerse ourselves in the story or the subject matter, something magical begins to happen.

We become invested in the characters, their lives, and their struggles. We are drawn into the world that the author has created, and we find ourselves eager to turn the next page, to discover what lies ahead. The long read allows us to explore complex ideas, to gain new perspectives, and to expand our knowledge and understanding.

And when we finally reach the end, there is a sense of fulfillment. We have journeyed through the pages, and we have come out the other side with a deeper appreciation for the written word and the power of storytelling. The long read may have taken time, but it has been well worth the investment.