I had no inkling whatsoever when I picked up this book what the story entailed and what knowledge I would glean from it. As I delved into it, I not only learned the history of the Jewish people, stretching from the earliest days of mankind until around 1960, but also about the horrors of the Crusades, the Inquisition, and the life of the Jewish people as refugees in foreign lands. The book recounted numerous individual stories of characters over thousands of years. Many of these people met violent fates, which at times made it difficult to read. In fact, I actually skipped a few pages to avoid reading about a man's torture during the Inquisition. It is a rather lengthy book, boasting over 1000 pages, but it is most definitely worth the time and effort it takes to read it!

This book didn't turn out to be what I expected when I bought it.

From the reviews and back-cover synopsis, I was anticipating a historical fiction overview of the history and development of Judaism. I hoped it would answer some of my questions about why modern Judaism looks so different from that in the Old Testament. However, what I found in this book was much broader. Michener tells the story of the development of Israel.

Land is of great importance. Hearing the stories of those who lived on the land where you stand can give your life a sense of place and help you understand how you and your family fit into the history of the world. Religion is also crucial, offering answers to questions that we can't arrive at through simple observation and allowing us to actively participate in the forces that govern the world, which would otherwise be beyond our reach.

After reading this book, I feel as if I missed some essential world history classes. As far as the history curriculum goes, I remember focusing on Greek and Roman, Egyptian, the Renaissance, and American history. This book taught me history that I now consider necessary for understanding how the world became the way it is today, something that a narrower view missed.

Michener's writing style, which tells the characters' stories as major world events unfold around them, provides an intimate and personal picture of the struggle and suffering of the Jewish people against the opposition of the powerful and their journey to come to terms with the demands of their religion.

I also loved the experience of being challenged by the questions posed by the different characters, especially towards the end of the book as the plot became more forward-looking, considering the development of the Israeli state and the relationship between history and progress, religion and state. What determines who belongs to a people group that has been dispersed among so many different dominant cultures? How can you respect the history of a religion that has held your people together through great suffering while being confronted with its obvious shortcomings in the modern era? Is religion truly greater than us, demanding obedience even when it goes against everything within us, or is it a tool that humanity developed accidentally to meet its needs?

I do have some complaints about the first couple of chapters, which were Michener's speculation on what the earliest forms of civilization were like. It seemed unbelievable, mainly because it forces you to think about where ideas come from and how civilization actually progresses. We live the way we do today because, long ago, someone had the idea to develop a particular type of technology, which was later improved upon by another thinker, and so on. Where does that creative spark and understanding of the world come from?

All in all, this book was amazing: thought-provoking, genuine, and challenging. It ended in 1964 but offers an excellent and engaging background on the power struggle for Israel over thousands of years. I would be interested in following it up with a summary of the actual decisions made by Israeli leadership in the establishment of the state and how those decisions paved the way for the current Israel/Palestine conflict.

Age range: 18+

This is a challenging read that requires some focus to follow the opposing arguments made by the four modern-day main characters as they uncover the past. It is very philosophical. Additionally, there is a lot of violence in the flashbacks.

While I hold a great deal of respect for James Michener as a writer, I found myself truly struggling with his work “The Source.” Michener presents a fictionalized account of Israel’s history by centering on Tell Makor, an ancient town. However, the 1100 pages seemed to pass by ever so slowly for me, and there are a few reasons for this.

First and foremost, I didn’t find a significant number of the characters to be very compelling. They lacked that certain spark or depth that would have made me truly invested in their stories and fates.

Secondly, it is quite evident that Michener is not a religious man. In my opinion, this dramatically hampers his ability to tell a religious story with the appropriate amount of empathy. His secular worldview appears to overshadow and even choke out the essence of the story throughout the entire narrative. It feels as if there is a disconnect between the religious themes and his own perspective, which ultimately affects the overall impact and believability of the story.

Despite these drawbacks, I still appreciate Michener’s attempt to explore and present Israel’s history in a fictionalized way. However, “The Source” just didn’t quite hit the mark for me.

There have only been a few times in my life that a book has affected me so profoundly.

Michener, in his remarkable work, uses a chronological timeline that spans thousands of years. He delves deep into the forgotten lives of the residents of Makor, a small town nestled at the heart of the Holy Land.

Through their stories, which are simultaneously harrowing and beautiful, the essence of human existence is vividly brought to the fore. It ties those of today to generations past, awakening a new and acute awareness of what lies ahead.

The tensions of yesteryear still hold relevance today, just as man's joys, fears, loves, and ambitions remain constant.

Above all, however, the people of Makor illustrate that as man shapes the land, the land, in turn, shapes him. It also serves as a witness to how God, through both grand decrees and subtle whispers, keeps close to his beloved creation.

This book is truly a phenomenal read, study, and reflection for those who have a passion for history, beauty, faith, and the immutability and universality of human nature.