A Grand Sweep of the Human Civilization and Judaism

The author employs the fictional archaeological site of Makor, which boasts numerous layers of history, as a means to transport us back through time, commencing from the Stone Age and extending all the way to the present day. This is a remarkably clever narrative device. For each layer unearthed by archaeologist John Cullinane, a story is crafted. These stories are a fascinating blend of fiction and history, delving into significant events from the past of Israel and Judaism. We encounter figures such as David and Josephus Flavius, and experience momentous events like the conquest of Canaan and the Babylonian captivity. Moreover, we embark on an exploration of the evolution of Judaism. Through this vivid and engaging account, we gain a deeper understanding of the rich tapestry of human civilization and the profound influence of Judaism throughout the ages.

This book evokes a sense of empathy for Judaism and Jews, offering some truly useful insights into their traditions and beliefs. In fact, I have earmarked many pages for future reference.

However, I cannot give this book more than two stars due to its significant inaccuracies. For instance, regarding the Neolithic era, it's understandable that the author might not have known the full extent given the state of archaeology in the 1960s. But when it comes to history since 1948, the author seems to have been rather lazy in investigating the truth beyond the Israeli propaganda that was passed onto Americans.

Those who read this book should also consider reading Ilan Pappe's The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine. There is a lot of what can be considered Israeli propagandist rot in this book, particularly the idea of revitalizing a so-called void land. It's important to look at different perspectives and sources to get a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of historical events.

Finally! I have completed this huge monster of a book!!!

I embarked on this literary journey two years ago, but was quickly overcome by the enormity and complexity of it all. However, last month, I summoned the courage and determination to pick it back up.

In order to get back into the rhythm and flow of the story, I had to re-read approximately 300 pages. As a result, this already lengthy book (a whopping 1087 pages) seemed even longer!

Nonetheless, just like all of Michener's books, this one provides a profound and immersive experience of the place over time.

I was already somewhat familiar with Israel's history during the Old and New Testament eras, but I渴望 to see the entire sweep of its history, from the very beginning (excluding the caveman era) all the way to the period of modern statehood.

The book also delves deep into the heart and mind of Judaism, a subject that I have always been eager to better understand, especially after reading thought-provoking books like "The Chosen."

Overall, I am extremely glad that I took the time to read this book. It has broadened my knowledge and deepened my appreciation for the rich history and culture of Israel and Judaism.

I can't recall precisely when it has been that it took me as long as two weeks to read a book. However, this particular book is one that you simply cannot rush through or read hastily. It is "deep", "heavy", and extremely intense. As you read each section of history, you find yourself getting lost in the past.

I have a great affection for Michener's books, but this one is毫无疑问 the best. It is filled with amazing and fascinating history, starting practically from the beginning of time and going up to 1964. It tells the story of Judaism, with a focus on the people who were drawn to the small town of Makor, which is being excavated by an archeological team. This team consists of an American Catholic, two Israeli Jews (a woman and a man), and an Israeli Arab.

If you are seeking light entertainment or if you have no interest in having your perspective of the Middle East broadened tremendously, then you should not read this book. It is an amazing book indeed.... It's going to take me some time to decompress!

The Source is an outstanding piece of work. It is not only masterfully written but also provides a remarkable account. It details not just the evolution of religion during the pre-monotheistic era but also delves into the history and evolution of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

The book follows a team of archaeologists working at a site in northern Israel. For each item discovered during the dig, it traces back with a short story, citing a major period or event that had a significant impact on the religion.

If you wish to gain a deeper understanding of the socio-economic conditions in present-day Israel, this book is also worth reading.

From now on, I'm definitely going to read more by J.Mich.

A 5 Star Rampage Through Jewish History

Reviewed in the United States on August 6, 2020

Book Review

5 stars plus

A Rampage Through Jewish history.

******

This is an outstanding book that took me 3 weeks to read. It speaks to me in a unique way compared to some of Michener's other works. As a Jew (through Orthodox conversion), I recognized many aspects.

The rituals described, like duchaning, are familiar. The sharp divide between secular and religious Jews is also evident. The scornful attitude of Israeli Sabras towards pampered American Jews is interesting. And the significant variation among Jews, from centuries of comings and goings to Eretz Israel and intermarriage, is explored over several hundred pages.

Michener artfully blurs the line between fact and fiction. Makor may not have existed, but it feels like a composite of real towns. Characters like "Luke" and "Matthew" have details that match and don't match their famous namesakes. "Zadok" also has parallels to Moshe Rabbeinu.

The book shows a good amount of research. There are detailed explanations of concepts like making children pass through Moloch and why Jews find Christianity theologically abhorrent. It also explores the evolution of Judaism and the many transformations the Jewish people and their God have gone through.

There are several issues that have been ongoing for thousands of years and are still relevant today, such as the lack of secular marriage in Israel and the demarcation between the rabbinate and the secular state. Michener's take on the Crusades is also quite interesting.

The endings of some characters are implied, not explicit as in other of his books. The Ottoman Empire is portrayed as a joke, and the Israeli victory is shown to be somewhat predictable due to Arab corruption and technical incompetence. Michener uses a unique technique of hypothetical dialogues to explore issues like the role of Judaism in a secular Jewish state and the relationship between Israelis and their American financial backers.

Overall, while it's impossible to synopsize the entire Jewish history, the author does a good job of selecting important bits and presenting them in a coherent way. This is a great book for anyone interested in Jewish history.

An Epic Read

This book is truly an epic journey that offers a wealth of knowledge.

I have learned more about religion and Middle East/European history from this book than from any other I have ever read. It is simply amazing to trace the advancement of man, starting from the time of the caveman all the way to Israel in the 1960s.

Moreover, it is fascinating to explore the history of a single location, from the caveman days until the 1060s. My favorite chapters were those about the rabbis in Safed, the crusade times, and the creation of Israel.

The story centers around an archeological dig and an American archeologist. However, this part can seem a bit dated and corny at times.

Nonetheless, the book then delves into each historical period of the tel based on the artifacts that were discovered. It provides a very interesting perspective on the Arab/Israeli relationship.

Although this is a very long book that took me a significant amount of time to read, it was well worth finishing. After completing it, I felt as if I had accomplished a major term paper.

Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in history, religion, or the Middle East.

The Source by James Michener is an ode to Judaism that centers around a particular archaeological dig in 1964. I have always been a huge admirer of Michener. In this work, he crafts stories about the recovered artifacts discovered within the site. Each item sheds light on events that occurred from approximately 9,000 B.C.E. until the time of the dig.

Michener does an outstanding job of giving us a sense of the land. It's not just the physical land but also the longing of all people to develop a correct understanding of a higher power. Perhaps no other place on earth has experienced as many religious conflicts as the Levant. Michener not only recounts the relatively recent violent events between Judaism, Christianity, and Islam but also delves back in time to when the earliest humans were formulating religious ideas. He tells tales of the progress of men from caves to shelters and the evolution of agriculture, along with their concepts of pantheism and ritual worship.

We journey through time and read about human sacrifice, Caananite Baal, fertility worship, the Hebrew Patriarchs, the rise and fall of Biblical Israel, the Babylonian Conquest, Herod's Galilee, the Roman Destruction of Jerusalem, the Diaspora, the construction of the Talmud, the sweep of Islam, the Crusades, the Mamelukes, Ottomans, and the British Mandate. Finally, we arrive at the War of Independence in 1948 and the establishment of the State of Israel. It's a vast amount of history to cover in such a small area of the earth.

This book encompasses a wide range of historical, religious, and philosophical issues and is epic in its scope. Some may read this work and perceive a Zionist bias. It does seem evident that his admiration for the Jewish people and their survival through oppression, pogroms, and the Holocaust has earned them the right to control their own destiny. However, he is not oblivious to the Palestinian refugees. I believe this book is as balanced as possible and should be read by anyone interested in the problems of the Middle East.

I recall reading parts of this book as a freshman in high school. I chose it simply out of intellectual pride. I wanted to read the thickest book in our school library for a book report. Of course, many sections were beyond my comprehension, but part of Michener's charm was his remarkable readability. I learned an astonishing amount of history by remaining a fan of Michener. He has become less popular recently, but I will always be grateful for how he introduced me to serious literature.

One of my all-time favorite books, which I return to every few years. Is it a long book? I hadn't remembered its length. All I know is that each time I finish it, I wish there was more.

As an American child living around the Mediterranean fifty years ago, I lived near and ran and played in ancient cities. I often tripped over partially-buried relics. The fact that I could touch the very spot where another person had stood, lived, and simply been thousands of years before sparked a fascination in me.

Michener picked up on this fascination and set it ablaze with this book. It is truly wonderful. The detailed descriptions of the ancient cultures, the vivid characters, and the engaging storylines all combine to make this a book that I can never get enough of. It has become a part of my life, and I know that I will continue to return to it again and again.

I listened to all 54 hours of this novel. Whew! It was quite a commitment.

I confess that at one point, I had to stop and take a long break. The story became bogged down with an overwhelming amount of historical facts, and in the process, a key part of the story was neglected: the 1965 ongoing archaeological dig of a site in Israel.

Thankfully, when I returned to the audio, I was relieved to find that the remaining chapters were much better. In particular, when the focus shifted back to the dig, it really brought the story full circle and added a new layer of interest.

However, I would not recommend this book to just anyone. It would only be suitable for those who are history fanatics or those who are planning to head to Israel to participate in a dig. For others, the excessive historical details might make it a bit of a slog to get through.

Overall, while there were some good aspects to this novel, it definitely has its limitations in terms of its appeal to a wider audience.

I finished this book over a week ago.

However, things have just been so crazy that I haven't had a chance to sit down and reflect on it. Or have I?

I think The Source is one of those books that really sticks with you.

The places described in the novel are so vivid that they make me eager to feel the soil of the Middle East.

It manages to bring life and peace to a land that I've only known as unstable.

Perhaps if I paid more attention, I might even see a different side of it today.

I truly wish I could transplant myself into people's shoes.

I often feel uncomfortable when visiting new places, as if I stand out.

If only I could see the lands and cities through the eyes of the inhabitants, it might make traveling so much more fulfilling.

Or...maybe it would make it seem mundane, just like an ordinary life.

Nevertheless, this book has definitely opened my eyes and made me think about different cultures and places in a new way.

This was a bit of a slog but well worth it.

The novel is truly ambitious, and fortunately, it pays off handsomely.

Each chapter functions almost as its own short story.

Until, that is, it gets neatly tied into the present-day frame story.

Interestingly, a lot of these individual stories are excellent on their own.

At the same time, they also fit seamlessly into a larger and more comprehensive whole.

It is truly amazing how the author managed to create such really intense personal stories right in the midst of all these grand historical events.

The way the personal and the historical intertwine is masterfully done.

It makes the reading experience not only engaging but also deeply thought-provoking.

Overall, this novel is a remarkable achievement that showcases the author's great talent and creativity.