This was a book that truly had a profound impact on me. It helped me to gain a more comprehensive and complete view of world history, especially with regard to all the complex tensions surrounding the Middle East. I first read it during my high school years, specifically during the time of the first Gulf War.

My high school was far from being exemplary. It was located in a small town, and unfortunately, the students there didn't seem to care much or put in much effort. The school was really struggling just to teach the basic subjects. However, I had a thirst for knowledge that went beyond the basics. I was an avid reader and read a lot of different materials. My mom had a subscription to Newsweek, and I had been reading it almost cover to cover every week since I was 12 years old. Despite all the history classes I had taken, the numerous Newsweek articles I had read about Middle East confrontations, and the extra reading I had done on my own, I was still unaware that Israel had only been established as a nation in 1948 until I picked up James Michener's "The Source."

"The Source" was a favorite book of my parents, and they highly recommended it to me. It was an incredibly mind-expanding experience for me. Coming from my small town, or even considering the somewhat self-centered attitude that prevailed in California in general, it was truly amazing to be able to imagine a place in the world that had a history dating back thousands of years. It was truly an epic tale.

I firmly believe that this book should be required reading in all of our world history classes. It provides such valuable insights and perspectives that are essential for understanding the complex tapestry of our world's history.

As a side note, after reading "The Source" for the first time, I followed it up with "Exodus" by Leon Uris, which further deepened my understanding and appreciation of the history and events related to the Middle East.

One of my all-time favorite books!

Just like most of Michener's works, "The Source" is truly enormous. So, be prepared to spend a significant amount of time cozily sitting by a lamp. It commences in the late 1970s at an archaeological dig in the fictional Makor in the Middle East. In the very first chapter, the archaeologists uncover artifacts all the way down to the bedrock. Each subsequent chapter delves into how each artifact arrived there and, consequently, tells the story of religion in the Middle East. One aspect that I absolutely adore is that the book feels more manageable than its actual size. This is because the chapters are typically around 100 - 200 pages and focus on the story of one person or family. Another great feature is that the stories follow the same families through different eras and circumstances. While I don't think anyone can claim to fully understand all the complex issues in the Middle East today, "The Source" offers valuable help and insights into the situation. It is beautifully written, making it a captivating read from start to finish.

Long and languid,

the two weeks that I dedicated to reading this saga have truly torpedoed my 2015 Reading Goal. It is indeed a very good and absorbing story, characteristic of Michener's style. However, a couple of sections and the ending were rather slow-paced and not overly captivating. This is precisely the reason why it earns a four-star rating instead of a five-star one.

Despite the slower parts, the overall narrative still manages to draw the reader in. Michener's ability to create vivid characters and detailed settings is on full display. The story weaves through different time periods and locations, adding depth and complexity.

Although it didn't reach the pinnacle of a five-star read, it is still a worthy addition to any bookshelf. It offers an engaging escape into a world filled with drama, history, and human emotions.

Perhaps on a second reading, I will be able to appreciate the slower sections more and give it the full five stars it might deserve.

5 Stars....

This remarkable book has the power to transport you back in time. It takes you all the way back 10,000 years to the ancient land of Canaan, when the Canaanites were the inhabitants of that region.

Michener commences the book by presenting a modern-day archaeological site. Simultaneously, he leads the reader back to the inception of Judaism, to the time when the Jewish people, following Moses, were brought to the holy land by their god Yahweh.

This is truly a wonderful book, brimming with an abundance of history. It chronicles the persecution of the Jewish people from the very beginning. It also elucidates how Judaism was formed and how it has given birth to the two largest religions in the world, namely Christianity and Islam.

Anyone with an interest in the Middle East would undoubtedly relish this book.

One aspect that I find fascinating is that the more I delve into other cultures, it creates a contrast that enables me to learn even more about my own.

It is a captivating read that offers profound insights into the rich tapestry of human history and the evolution of religions.

This book presents the history of Israel, spanning from nearly 10,000 BC to 1964 AD.

It offers a unique perspective through an archaeological dig at the city of Makor, near Galilee.

The story commences at the dig in 1964 and then delves back into the deepest layers of history.

By sharing tales of the items discovered and描绘 what life might have been like, it helps us fathom the intricate history and present-day life in Israel.

For me, it enhanced my understanding of the history of Judaism and provided insights into the complex relationships with Muslims, crusaders, Christians, and others.

Sometimes, they coexisted harmoniously, but often, there were wars and sacrifices by individuals and entire communities.

I am captivated by this region and its people.

I believe there is much to learn from their examples, beliefs, and way of life, and more history yet to be made in this place.

Here are some interesting quotes that I found appealing:

"What do you own? Really?...Your education. Your force of character. Your family. Do you really own the other things? Or do they own you? (p. 65)"

"I described Israel as part of 'the fertile crescent'....'But if you conceive of Israel as being merely passive, the arable fields over which people walked on their way to other arable fields, your thought remains passive. You miss the dynamism of our history....And because we Jews were at the focus of forces we became the most dynamic of all. We had to. To stay alive. We were spun in a terrible vortex, but because we were Jews we loved it (p. 141).'"

"Jerusalem would become famous not for its growth or its fortress walls, but because of the fact that here Yahweh would take his spiritual residence; and from the first moment she saw Jerusalem she longed to be a part of it...from this city the nature of Hebrew life would be determined (p. 258)."

"She longed for Jerusalem as bees long for spring to open the flowers or as lions trapped in the valley hunger for the hills. It was the golden city, the site of the temple, the focus of worship, the target of longing. No other city in the world until the advent of Rome would have the profound effect upon its adherents than Jerusalem had upon the Hebrews (p. 330)."

"We Jews always find it hard to support our own people. We seem to prefer being governed by others...It's something you won't understand. But we cannot believe in any kingdom, neither or our own making or of Rome's. We hold that the true kingdom is of God and will come again with the Messiah, so even if Herod had been Jewish we wouldn't have accepted him...we are destined to live under the yoke of others, offering our testimony not to principalities but to God (p. 439)."

"Respected General, if you wish to move those statues into our land you will have to kill all of us on the plain....A false God must not enter our land (p. 452)."

"Why do I say, 'Fight Rome'? Because if we don't we'll be forced into other faiths. Why am I so stubborn? Because if we can make Rome respect us, we have a chance to remain Jews (p. 473)."

"The life of man is determined when he first places his trust in God. We have been dead ever since we offered our lives to halt Petronius from bringing in his statues of Caligula. What happens in the next weeks can be of no consequence, for if we are dead we have died faithful to our covenant with God (p. 490)."

"Jesus Christ was born, so far as we know, in the summer of 6 BC...Jesus lived his early life in Nazareth, only sixteen miles south of Makor, and conducted his principal ministry...along the shores of the Sea of Galilee, only eighteen miles to the east. He never came to Makor and about April 7, 30 AD was crucified by order of Pontius Pilate....It may be surprising, therefore, to know that it was not until the year 59 AD that the name of Jesus Christ...was first mentioned in [Makor] (p. 499)."

"What the rabbis were doing, in part consciously and in part unconsciously, was to create a body of law that would bind the Jews together as they went into exile to the Diaspora. Without a homeland the Jews would live within their law and become a nation mightier than those which had oppressed them. Without cities of their own they would as a cohesive unit help determine the destinies of cities they had not yet seen....Gentiles, observing their homelessness, would construct the myth of the Wandering Jew, but in reality this phrase was meaningless, for no matter where the Hew wandered, if he took with him the Talmud he was home (p. 527)."

"I can foresee a day not far off when the Jews of the world, distraught and each with his own vision of God, will hear some crazy man shouting, 'I am your Messiah! I have come to save you!' And unless at that moment the God-struck Jew is standing firmly on the law and protected by it, he is going to dance in the air and cry, 'The Messiah is at the gates and I am saved...' ....We Jews can be stupid people. Only the law keeps us strong. We are a people of the Book and the day will come when only the Book will preserve us from ourselves (p. 845)."

"Lying there in the hospital with the crazy cut across my face, thinking of the distorted ideas behind the religious hoodlums who threw the rocks...What I am trying to say is that if such zealots represent the new Israel, you can't expect people like me to come to your aid if the Arabs attack (p. 1063)."

I have a rather complex set of memories when it comes to "The Source." I'm a die-hard Michener fan and have devoured all of his works. "The Source" holds a special place at the top of my Michener favorites list, right alongside "The Drifters."

I began reading "The Source" in 1974 during my visit to Israel, the very subject of the book. My trip included a bus tour of the country. It was truly a delight to read about a particular place and then actually arrive at the very site that Michener had written about.

However, there was a major hitch. Just about the time I arrived in Israel, I came down with a severe case of what I like to call "Nebuchadnezzar's Complaint" (the Middle Eastern equivalent of Montezuma's Revenge). To make matters worse, there was a serious shortage of toilet paper on the tour. I found myself in a rather desperate situation where I had to read as quickly as possible to ensure that the supply of usable paper in my book was ahead of my need to use it in a way that the publisher never intended.

The novel was over a thousand pages long, and I had to read at an incredibly rapid pace, somehow managing to finish the book in just about three days. Since then, I have repurchased "The Source" (as the original copy is no longer in existence), and I fully intend to reread it at a much more enjoyable and leisurely pace.

This one is a bit of a long read, but it is truly well worth it. It is really brilliant. Michener's recreation of the distant past in what is now Israel is both entertaining and informative.

He takes the readers on a journey through time, presenting epic stories and epic history. The details he provides are so vivid that one can almost picture the ancient civilizations, their daily lives, and the events that shaped their existence.

It is not just a simple retelling of history; it is a masterpiece that combines historical facts with engaging narratives. The book offers a unique perspective on the past, allowing the readers to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the rich heritage of Israel.

Whether you are a history buff or simply someone who enjoys a good story, this work by Michener is a must-read. It will leave you captivated from beginning to end and make you want to explore more about the distant past.

The Source is truly a remarkable work that stands out for its beautiful planning and intricate details.

This book is multi-faceted, being simultaneously a novel, a collection of short stories, and a history of religion spanning from ancient times to the modern era. It functions splendidly on all three levels. However, it shines brightest as a novel as all the stories ultimately come together, much like one would anticipate human history to do. Everything is interconnected, and this includes each and every one of us as individuals.

Most importantly, if you have any inclination towards Judaism, the eldest of the Big Three religions, this book is an essential journey you must undertake. The same holds true if you are interested in the conflict in the modern Middle East, including the complex mentality of Arab vs. Jew. We didn't always harbor animosity towards each other. In fact, in the end, we are all essentially the same. The book not only celebrates our differences but also highlights this sameness, which many of us tend to overlook because it is easier to hate those who are different.

From the era of Baal through Hellenistic and Roman rule, from the crusades to the refugees fleeing the Russian pogroms and Nazi Germany, this book serves as an excellent introduction to history and also as a love story dedicated to a land that has been serving humanity since before we even had a concept of time itself. It is truly a masterpiece.

Brilliantly written!

This piece showcases an outstanding level of writing skill. The author has clearly dedicated a great deal of time and effort to researching the topic, resulting in a highly informative and well-structured article.

Every point is meticulously put forth, with great attention to detail and a logical flow. The use of evidence and examples further enhances the credibility of the arguments presented.

Overall, this is a truly remarkable piece of writing that is sure to engage and inform readers. It is a testament to the author's expertise and passion for the subject matter.

I can vividly remember spending hours each night, when I was just 13 years old, curled up cosily in bed and reading this remarkable thing. It truly marked the beginning of my journey into the fascinating field of archaeology. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for my graduate school applications. Based on Tel Megiddo, this book weaves a captivating tale of a fictional Tel. It takes us on a journey from its very birth all the way to its excavation 12,000 years later. The story follows the path of a single family, navigating through a world of many gods, as it unfolds the rich tapestry of Canaanite, Hebrew, Greek, Roman, Ottoman, and Israeli civilizations. Although some of the material might seem a bit dated in the present context, it still manages to remain one of the most creative and beautifully written books that I have ever had the great pleasure of reading and re-reading. It has left an indelible mark on my literary and archaeological pursuits.

I did it!!

I have had this book on my "to read" list for an extremely long time. The subject matter, which is the history of Judaism, has always held a great deal of interest for me.

The problem, however, is the sheer length of this book. It is truly a monster, and as a result, I always found starting it to be a very daunting task.

As my early Christmas present to myself, I finally decided to go for it. And it sure did not disappoint!

I am completely awed by the scope of this book. Michener tells the tale of Judaism starting way back in 9834 BCE and continues all the way to 1964 CE. He accomplishes this through an archaeological dig and the fascinating findings of that dig.

In fact, it is really many books that he is able to connect through family and place. I simply cannot fathom the enormous amount of research he must have done.

I also absolutely loved his fictional stories of non-fictional characters such as Josephus. It is truly amazing!

This is a masterful work. It is stunning! I really can't use too many exclamation points in this review to express my admiration for this book.

Well, it's Michener, so it's long, but it's truly an outstanding work.

This historical novel is based upon the emergence of the Jewish State of Israel, and it takes the reader on an immersive journey through the complex and fascinating history of that region.

Michener's attention to detail and his ability to bring historical events and characters to life are truly remarkable.

As you read this novel, you'll find yourself completely engrossed in the story, learning about the struggles, sacrifices, and triumphs of the people who played a role in the founding of Israel.

It's not just a story, but a powerful exploration of the human spirit and the forces that shape our world.

Whether you're interested in history, politics, or just a great story, this novel is definitely worth reading.

So, if you're looking for a book that will keep you entertained and informed, look no further than this wonderful historical novel by Michener.