"Hope! I'll survive because I have hope!"

An amazing read. More unique than any fiction book I've ever read because the author personifies the nation of Israel and takes you through her history. "Sarah", in the beginning of our book is turning her back on her husband and is about to feel the consequences in the Babylonian captivity. We meet, with her, Daniel, Nehemiah; we go through Israel's history with her, captivity, the Maccabees, the weeping of Rachel (her friend) in Bethlehem, - through the Crusades, the Inquisition, the Pogroms, the Holocaust. Carrying up to her current events and even future in the time of the Peace Treaty and her husband's return.
All throughout you'll be amazed to find that it is natural to read Israel's history this way, you aren't wondering about how this woman and those around her live for hundreds and hundreds of years-you are, I think, familiar with her. Israel presented as a woman, as an adulterous wife, as a captive, "she" as she is called in the Bible.
Whether you agree with the views of the author in regards to future events-this is well worth the read.

A great help when trying to recall the history of the Jewish people. It kind of messes with the mind as one family experiences events that occurred over centuries of time, but it accomplishes the goal.

I liked this book. It couldn't have been easy to construct a story in which the nation of Israel is represented as the life of a woman. The story zooms through history with Israel's struggles and defeats. But those who know the Bible know how "she" is always loved by her "Husband."

I almost put this book down after the first few chapters, but, I'm glad I kept reading. I wouldn't say it's excellent writing. The story often seems forced into the agenda of the author--teaching the history of Israel. With this epic history in mind, I have found it an excellent book. It is tying together the loose ends of historical knowledge I have about the Jewish people throughout the ages.

Compelling read!

i loved this book! it was given to me by a relative and i read it almost instantly. the history was so enlightening and strongly inspiring.

Publisher's Description:

"The Story of a Nation Like No Other . . .
In a Novel Like No Other

The curtain rises in the sixth century B.C. at a time when, from all outward appearances, the Jewish people had reason to be confident about their future. Little did they expect that some choices they had made over the centuries would severely alter the course of their history -- and ultimately lead to a precipitous downfall at the hands of the most powerful empire in the Eastern world.
From that time onward, Israel, My Beloved takes you on an unforgettable journey through the long night of Jewish despair. So intense is the human drama that you become like an eyewitness...recoiling at the desecration wrought by Grecian and Roman rulers, fleeing from the blood-thirsty swords of the Crusaders, outwitting the determined proponents of the Third Reich's "final solution," and more -- all the while faced with the constant threat of expulsion from a village, city, nation, or even a continent.

Yet the ancient Hebrew scriptures promised that after the darkness of night would come morning. Indeed, you are present to witness the first rays of sunrise that pierce the black sky and proclaim Israel's rebirth as a nation...and from there you are rapidly ushered into an age of far more glorious things to come!

History comes vibrantly alive through the characters of Israel, My Beloved -- from the beautiful yet strong-willed Sarah to the endearing couple Enoch and Rebecca to the courageous and devoted Samuel.

Through these characters and more, you will walk in the shoes of a people who have known the deepest of suffering and injustice as well as the greatest of promise and hope in a way that few have ever experienced. A story with a powerful message, Israel, My Beloved will take you through God's history as no other book has!"

A difficult read, but interesting. You need to be able to get past the unusual passage of time.

This book was amazing. I cried, I laughed, I fell in love with some of the characters. I felt Sarah's pain, rejoiced with her and waited in horrifying anticipation with her. At some points I hated Sarah, then I loved her. This book gave me such an amazing perspective on Jewish history that no teacher could imagine giving. Kay Arthur is a genius, and I long to see some of her studies to know if they are as amazing as this book. The history was genius and the prophecy was amazing. I like the book more for its' history but the prophecy is still amazing. I think that Messiah coming in any book is amazing. I will read this story to my children and they hopefully will read it to my grandchildren. Five amazingly beautful and beloved stars.

This book has a very weird element to it, as Israel is portrayed as a woman who lives throughout history. Although there are some strange parts to it, overall I guess it works, and most of all I enjoy seeing the journey of the Jews throughout the ages. Interesting perspective -- especially seeing Christians through their eyes.

An excellent novel that parallels the history of the nation of Israel with the life of a fictional woman. It was great until the end, which theologically, I don't agree with.

It gave me a historical lesson of Israel in a lovely form of a story.