Product Description
This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery. ... Read more

Product Description
Second Edition, Revised and Expanded ... Read more

Customer Reviews (22)

Difficult to read
Chock full of information and details. Every sentence is packed with information. Each sentence is like a chaptermaking slow and difficult reading.

Very biased
Although the book is packed with detailed information about all stages of development of Jewish State in Palestine and is undoubtedly one of the most comprehensive sources of information, i gave it only 3 stars because the author is obviously biased in most of his judgments and analysis.

I realize that there is no history completely divorced from subjective judgment of the author but this book borders on leftist propaganda literature.

Wonderful book!
This is a great book for those interested in the country of Israel and its people.

A sweeping panorama of the birth of a nation
This review comments on the 2007 edition of this history and follows almost a year of intermittent reading to get through it all.I had previously used the shorter first edition almost 30 years ago in a college course and was very pleased to revisit much of the information in this third, very comprehensive and much expanded edition.As it stands today, this volume could form the primary textbook for an undergraduate two-semester course in Israeli history, as I'm sure it already does in any number of campuses. Like any thorough historian, Dr. Sachar lays the foundation for the story of modern Israel where it rightfully belongs--in the burgeoning Zionist movements that sprang up in Russia, Germany and Austria, to name just the principal countries whose historical subordination (for want of a better term) of their Jewish citizens propelled such an exodus.He then documents the fledgling movements in then Palestine that provided the agricultural, security and political framework of today's modern Israeli society.

At this point, I'll leave it to prior reviewers who describe the book in far more detail than I care to.I would like to highlight, however, the excellent coverage he provides for the wars of Israel with their Arab neighbors.As a retired military officer, with extensive peacekeeping experience in the Sinai peninsula, I found his excellent narratives of the 1967 Six Day War and the 1973 Yom Kippur War to be historically accurate and consistent with other scholarly accounts of those conflicts.

Overall, to facilitate the journey through such a long treatise on the subject matter, I would suggest the following: for someone new to the topic, I think a Hebrew-English glossary of terms would be helpful--for example, the differences between "yishuv", "yeshiva" and "moshav" could well be confusing to the neophyte.Additionally,a chart or annexed description of the multitude of Israeli political parties that burst unto the scene and changed their names several times as well as their own evolving emphases on the issues of the day, would tend to alleviate some amount of confusion. I would also advise the casual reader to buttress his/her readings with external sources from the internet and other media, as Dr. Sachar will sometime open a topic and then leave it in mid development, relying on the reader to pick up the thread 100 pages hence.

From a personal standpoint, other topics, such as the development of the Hebrew language and literature and their effects on modern Israeli society, receive far too few pages, but in a work of this scope, I understand that some aspects will receive less coverage than others.In summary, as someone who has worked, studied and lived the Middle East experience for several decades, I found this to be a one-of-a-kind, comprehensive, yet politically impartial (see, in particular, Chapter 28), account of Israel's birth, growth and maturity in a tumultuous region of the world. I have searched in vain for a companion work delineating the parallel Arab experience either in a specific country or the Arab world in general.Perhaps someone can suggest one?

Very thorough, a bit slow.
I have owned this book for quite some while. I finally took the time to make my way through all 1000+ pages. No doubt it is very well researched. It is very comprehensive with solid citations. It covers the history of Zionism from around the mid to late 1800's through the creation of the state of Israel into the mid 1990's. It is written, for the most part, in chronological order, but it does tend to be a bit redundant in spots. And, no matter how great a writer you may be, it is just downright impossible to make the history behind the formation of the various coalition governments exciting for the reader. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Excellent indeed
First written in 1985 and republished in 1994, this book describes in genuine historical terms the history of Israel, well enough so that youngsters can grasp it, and better (as others have noted) than many history books for grown-ups.

Twenty chapters and 172 pages include not only the pre-Israel history of the land, but even its prehistoric formation in geological time. There is the obligatory explanation (brief) of biblical history as well as that of all subsequent conquests, including the 7th century Muslim conquest of the land.

As the book explains, lands can die, and under its successive conquerors, Israel died: the plants and animals perished, and the land became a barren one, of desert and swamp. The Jewish people, however, rebuilt and reseeded the land, and made it bloom.

Despite all that, the Jewish people face an unrelenting propaganda war, which this book helps to counter.

--Alyssa A. Lappen

An excellent history of Israel
This little book for young people provides a much better history of Israel than quite a few misleading books for adults.

Although it is a short book, it has room for some excellent pictures and maps.After a brief history of ancient Israel, it pinpoints the start of modern Zionism with the assassination of the Russian Czar Alexander II in 1881.The bulk of the book traces the history of Zionism from then until the founding of the state of Israel in 1948 and its victory in its War of Independence.The book concludes with a short description of Modern Israel and its more recent history.

To the book's credit, it explains that Israel now faces a propaganda war from the Arabs, including oft-repeated Big Lies to the effect that Zionism is a form of racism and that Israel has deprived Arabs of their rights.Future authors of histories of Israel ought to read this book and try to at least do as well!

A superbly written and organized history
Now in an fully updated and expanded second edition, A Young Person's History Of Israel by David Bamberger is an ideal introduction for young readers as to why the state of Israel came about as well as why it, among all other nations, is so very special. This superbly written and organized history begins with describing the land the people of the old Palestine that existed for hundreds of years under Muslim rule. The next section is devoted to describing the origins of early Zionism that were to lay the groundwork for the return of the Jews to the land of Israel. The third section recounts the turbulent creation of an independent state of Israel. Section four is dedicated to the fight to build a viable state amidst hostile nations. The fifth and final section is devoted to describing the democratic state of Israel as it exists today. Profusely illustrated with black-and-white historical photos throughout, A Young Person's History Of Israel is a welcome and highly recommended addition to any personal, family, school, or community library collection. ... Read more

Product Description
Since its first publication in 1970, this book has established itself as a popular, useful text in Bible colleges and seminaries. The usefulness of the book has been increased by the addition of a chapter on the Inter-testamental Period. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Fantastic
Great historical book.Takes you on the journey from Abraham to the promise land and further. Highly recommend....

Book for College Class
I purchased this book for a Bible class I took. It has some archaeology, and historical items that relate to the Bible, although new findings have been found since this book was published.It touches on the books of the Old Testament, and the time between the testaments, and how those stories agree with historical records and customs of the day.It has some good information, but is not well suited for a study in depth.Also, I don't agree with the statements in the book seeming to not take the Bible to be the literal Word of God.The jumping around between versions was also irritating.If they just used the KJV, they wouldn't have to worry about contradictions.But overall, it was an okay read.

Israel Book
Good used book as advertised.Serves my purpose of study at a cheaper price.

lots of information!
This is a great look at Israel's history from a conservative standpoint. Be ready for lots of material. If you are not deep into this stuff the book can get kinda dry.

Nice general overview of Old Testament History
This book, `A Survey of Israel's History' is basically a chronological narration of the history of Israel. It traces the history from before its inception as a nation during the time of Abraham, till the period just before Jesus' birth.

Together with a narration and slight commentary based on the biblical text, the authors also provide arguments mostly based on archeological evidence to ascertain dates and locations of events and places in Israel's history. Using these evidences, they also paint the local geographical and cultural background of the places and surroundings of the events that they narrate.

Along they way, the authors also tackle some common arguments against the historical accuracy of the Bible, and very soundly argue for the validity of the inerrancy of the Biblical accounts. They defend the traditional conservative views of dates, places and events against modern liberal thought that seek to undermine the inerrancy of scripture.

The stance of the book is a conservative one, using the literal approach to scripture, especially of dates and genealogies. It assumes the factuality of scripture and views it as the highest and most correct truth, over and against tradition or archeological evidence. They hold strongly to the plain sense of scripture, choosing to accept the possibility of miraculous events against modernistic thought that seeks to explain away the miracles into natural events.

However, the book has quite a strong archeological focus. Whilst focus is still on the facts of the Bible, the authors, especially the reviser, tends to concentrate more on using the archeology to prove his case then the Bible itself.

Also, at times the spiritual significance of certain events are neglected in the commentary. The event is simply mentioned without any explanation of why God allows such or why it is recorded in such a way. A large portion of the book explains the `what' aspect of the events, but less of it is focused on the why.

Therefore this book would be useful for getting a good overview of the events in Israel's history from a conservative traditional viewpoint. These views are further enforced with archeological evidence. However, for a more biblically focused in depth study, a commentary of the individual books of the Bible would be required.
... Read more

Product Description
This classic textbook, widely used for over two decades, constructs a history of ancient Israel and Judah through a thorough investigation of epigraphical, archaeological, and biblical sources. Approaching biblical history as history, Miller and Hayes examine the political and economic factors that give context to the Israelite monarchy’s actions and the biblical writers’ accounts. Now updated with the latest research and critical discoveries, including the Tell Dan Inscription, and considering the lively debate surrounding the reliability of biblical accounts, Miller and Hayes’s judicious and evenhanded portrayal gives detailed attention to the nature, strengths, and limitations of various forms of evidence for understanding Israel’s origins and early history. The new edition also includes thirty-four new maps, helpful notes, and numerous charts and photographs. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Not about content but about format
For those curious about the difference between this book and the one twice the price also listed as a 2006 paperback, there appears to be no difference between the two besides one was published by a US publishing house, and this one is printed by SCM, a UK publisher, in the US. Book length, physical size, and content as far as I can tell are the exact same for the 2006 2nd Edition. Correction to the Product Description: Paperback page length is 562 pages and publisher is scm press.

Horrid Logic
Wow, this book is a nearly worthless except for that at least the authors acknowledge that the Bible probably contains historical events. It's amazing how seemingly wise men put out garbage like this. An example of the utter stupidity for example is that one of the authors claims that Samuel didn't really do all the things that were claimed of him because he was described as doing different things. Why does he think that? But he thinks Samuel couldn't have been both a prophet and "king-maker" he says. Uh... CUZ? Kinda stands to reason that if a person is a prophet then yeah, they are more likely to have the standing to king someone, not if there are just some ordinary guy. Instead he claims that Samuel was probably a cult leader. LOL.

No wait they are right, God doesn't have the ability to make someone a prophet plus allow them to have any other significant roles like kinging someone one time because it's just too hard for the creator and sustainer of the universe to get someone to be someone great and do something amazing. Not.

This is preschooler dribble hoping for lobster and wine elbow rubbing with other God-haters. Jesus is worth more than paper money, a few hundred lobsters, and a cellar full of wine.

Very Good Standard Book
It's true that the OT is often the only source for the early history of Israel and Judah, but Miller and Hayes tactfully duck the question of the historicity of the many legendary early events, and begin where they can start to tie the OT account to external and archaeological sources. I found this book to be a good introduction to the topic and a useful reference to have on the shelf.

has little to add to the old testament
This is a great book, very readable and scholarly. There exists one problem though: this book has practically nothing to add to what is written, just as clearly and just as easily accessible, in the old testament.

I read this book seeking to find a modern perspective on the old testament narrative, which would include all the findings of modern archeology and other sciences. What I found is that modern scholarship has precious little to add to what is already set down in the bible because the OT remains, with very few and mostly modest exceptions, our only source for this period. This is not the fault of the authors, of course, who are very noteworthy scholars. A few bits of history are scattered throughout the book which are not obvious from a reading of the bible, but the vast majority is just summary and interpretation (not usually very revealing) of the OT.

It goes without saying that if you are interested in the history of this period and have not read the bible, open the good book to Genesis 1 and start reading.

A Nice Introduction to Ancient Israel
J. Maxwell Miller and John H. Hayes' A History of Ancient Israel and Judah provides a solid introduction to the methods and problems of studying the development of the kingdoms that came to be known as Israel and Judah.Thebook deals with events from the time of Israel's origins (the Late Bronzeand Early Iron Ages) to the work of Ezra and Nehemiah (the fifth and fourthcenturies BCE).On the whole, A History is more cautious with the biblicaltexts than other histories of ancient Israel, such as John Bright's AHistory of Israel. Miller and Hayes spend less time offering guesses aboutthe more speculative aspects of Israel's history, such as the patriarchsand exodus, and concentrate their efforts on the later period (tenth tofifth centuries BCE) for which conclusions are more certain. From itsbeginning, this study is very much set within the geographical, political,economic, and religious context of the ancient Near East and Egypt as awhole.Perhaps the most attractive feature of this work is the inclusionof both photographs and fairly complete translations of extra-biblicaldocuments pertinent to various stages of Israel's history.A History isdivided into chronological segments, and the authors proceed by summarizingthe biblical texts germane to the time period, critically examining theseaccounts along with extra-biblical and archaeological evidence, and thendrawing conclusions.If the book has a major weakness, it is the absenceof either footnotes or endnotes, but the authors provide a sizable topicalbibliography at the conclusion of the book, and overall, A History ofAncient Israel and Judah is sound, readable scholarship. ... Read more

Product Description
The definitive text and resource for every student of the Old Testament. this thire edition of John Bright's classic work is a thorough revision of the text that has become a standard for reference and classroom use. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

Better Options for the History
Difficult read in many respects.Use of grammar by the author very dated. You would have hoped that later revisions would have consolidated and distilled this verbose presentation.John Bright's writing style makes the book a taxing read. If there was a charge for comma's, run on sentences, and fragments, this book would cost thousands!The research and scholarship is quite good but sorry I made this purchase!I will look more closely at the previews next time....

Out of Date - need for a critical history
Bright's text is out of date and is not helpful for gaining a good understanding of the history of ancient Israel."The History of Ancient Israel" by Michael Grant is not much better.So much has happened in the historiography of Ancient Israel since the time this was published over 50 years ago that an updated text is needed.

A better book is "The Oxford History of the Biblical World" edited by Michael Coogan.There is an updated bibliography and it provides a good survey of ancient Israel (and surrounding ancient civilizations).

If you are a conservative, you may want to consider the text "A Biblical History of Israel" by Iain Provan (2003).

Bright assumes the perspective of Form Critics, who argue that the Bible was written down during the Divided Monarchy, the Exile, and that there were several editors, which is based on the J, E, D, and P theory.As a historian, Bright does not think the Old Testament is a reliable historical text because it was written down centuries after the events it mentions.

After implying there is no reason to write a history of Ancient Israel, Bright proceeds with over 400 pages of stating that there is no historical evidence for the events in the Old Testament but there should be no doubt that what the Bible says is true.Then he retells the Biblical narrative.

If you are looking for a reflective critical history of Ancient Israel, this is not that history.

Save yourself some money and don't bother buying this book.

(Karen's Husband)

Biblical Assertions are based on misinterpretations.
I prefer:A History of Israel, Walter C. Kaiser; Kingdom of Priests, Eugene H. Merrill, and The Old Testament Speaks, Samuel J. Schultz.All are faithful to the archaeological record and use objective readings of scripture.When a position can not be adequately supported, they say so.

John Bright in contrast, seems overly concerned with keeping accord with those holding views from the ongoing Wellhasen tradition.That is O.K. if you support your position.However, when Bright denies the accuracy of the scriptural record, he does it by taking the passage totally out of context.Such novel interpretations must be backed with either linguistical, historical, or other evidence.Bright provides neither for his assertion that Gen. 34 is a later event backwardly ascribed to the 16th century.He calls Israel's blessing a rewriting of an ejection of the tribes of Simeon and Levi from the Shechem area after prior conquest. (ch. 49:5-7)

Still the standard text on biblical history
For anyone interested in biblical history, this is still one of the standard texts.Bright presents great scholarship and very insightful analysis that makes one look at OT in a different light.

great deal
thanks for the book, great service..shipping a bit slow..but was a big help to find discounted books ... Read more

Product Description
The state of Israel came into existence in 1948. Colin Shindler's book traces Israel's history across sixty years, from its optimistic beginnings - immigration, settlement, the creation of its towns and institutions - through the wars with its Arab neighbours, and the confrontation with the Palestinians. Shindler paints a broad canvas which affords unusual insights into this multicultural society, forged from over a hundred different Jewish communities and united by a common history. Despite these commonalities, however, Israel in the twenty-first century is riven by ideological disputes and different interpretations of 'Jewishness' and Judaism. Nowhere are these divisions more revealingly portrayed than in the lives and ideologies of Israel's leaders. Biographical portraits of Ben Gurion, Israel's first prime-minister, Yitzhak Rabin, whose assassination is still a traumatic memory for many Israelis, and the controversial Ariel Sharon, offer fascinating examinations of those who have led the country to where it is today. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Just in time for Israel's 60th anniversary...
As Asaf Romirowsky, Director of Israel and Middle East affairs for the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia and adjunct scholar at Campus Watch stated, one of the greatest myths in Middle East studies departments across North America and Europe is that the presence of an Israeli faculty member makes a "balanced" department. In fact, many Israeli academics have built their reputation on scholarship that is critical of Israel and its existence. These academics are frequently given center stage by the Association for Israel Studies, the Middle East Studies Association and Middle East studies centers, which host them and provide visiting appointments. This gives the scholars the visibility they seek, while allowing their hosts to claim balance in presenting an "Israeli viewpoint."

In Europe, there is hardly any attempt to create this so-called balance; pan-Arabist scholarship has become the coin of the realm. The University of London's School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in the first part of the 20th century produced great Middle East scholars such as Bernard Lewis. But over the years, Edward Said and his acolytes, such as Joseph Massad, have been the ones to receive red-carpet receptions, especially at SOAS which is notorious for having an anti-Israel atmosphere. The university's Palestinian Society is the only student society in Britain professionally run by the student union and regularly hosts controversial events such as Israel Apartheid Weeks.

Given this environment, Colin Shindler's appointment as the first professor of Israeli studies at SOAS is significant. Shindler is the author of seven books and an authority on the Revisionist Zionist movement and the emergence of the Israeli Right. His latest book, entitled A History of Modern Israel, appeared just in time for Israel's 60th anniversary. In it the author traces six decades, from David Ben-Gurion to Ehud Olmert.

The author comes to the obvious conclusion that peace between Israelis and Palestinians has yet to be found. But it is worth noting that the same radical views of the al-Aksa intifada that consumed the Palestinian mainstream were in turn used by the far Left in Britain to justify boycotting Israeli academics. As Shindler observes, "This cocktail of Israeli separation, Palestinian opposition to normalization and Islamist zeal challenged the very idea of individual Israelis and Palestinians working together for peace and reconciliation."

While the country has come a long way since 1948, it is still driven by ideological disputes and different interpretations of "Jewishness" and Judaism. Nowhere are these divisions more visibly portrayed than in the lives and ideologies of its leaders from David Ben-Gurion to Yitzhak Rabin, whose assassination is still a traumatic memory for most Israelis, and a transformed Ariel Sharon. Sharon represented the last of the old guard in Israeli leadership. His absence from the political arena highlights how desperately Israelis are searching for new leadership, which is nowhere to be found under the Olmert administration. The findings of the Winograd Committee detailing Israel's failures during the Second Lebanon War illustrate this lack of leadership, direction or vision. The magnitude of the investigation has without a doubt created a political earthquake in Israel. As did the harshness of the committee's concluding that all Olmert's mistakes "add up to a serious failure in exercising judgment, responsibility and prudence," which should have motivated him to rethink his actions as well as his government.

Israel has never experienced such a catastrophe in its cabinet until Olmert-Peretz came to power - two key leaders utterly lacking defense, military and political experience. Consequently, Shindler underscores that the tension has significantly grown between Israelis who seek stability and democratization versus those who see despair and destruction.

David Ben-Gurion, Israel's first prime minister as well as the father of the IDF, was without a doubt a war-statesman. He was one of the few leaders with the willingness and ability to think everything through. Less than two years after Israel's War of Independence, Ben-Gurion concluded that "the most dangerous enemy to Israel's security is the intellectual inertia of those who are responsible for security. This simple and fundamental idea guided me from the day that I accepted the 22nd Zionist Congress responsibility for the security of the Yishuv. And this simple and fundamental thought I tried to instill in all the comrades that worked with me on security matters before the war, during the war, and after it."

Finally, 60 years after the War of Independence, it is clear that no one individual can monopolize and maintain the military and political balance needed for Israel to regain the vision and deterrence it needs. Shindler's recount of Israeli history is one that enables the reader to understand the social and political cleavages that make up Israel of 2008 while looking back at 1948. It is that lens that would help any student of the Arab-Israeli conflict to not repeat history but learn how to move Israel forward toward the next 60 years.

A Compendium on Modern Israel
The State of Israel came into existence in response
to a specific need to safeguard Jews and to provide
a secure home. As early as 1621, Sir Henry Finch
published the "World's Great Restoration or Calling
of the Jews". Both Napoleon and President John Adams
favored a restoration of the Jews.

The book describes Herzl as a pragmatist and utopian.
He wanted to reclaim the holy language and sacred
history of the biblical peoples. The book is replete
with black and white pictures which depict early
scenes within Israel itself. For instance,
Kibbutz Mercharia (1911) sets forth a Palestinian
bridge between Arabia and Egypt. The work sets forth
dual rates of development between and amongst the
Jewish and Arabic sectors.

Ben- Gurion pursued a policy of self-restraint.
He separated religion from political judgments.
On 7-5-1950, the Law of Return passed in the Knesset.
Ben- Gurion disaggregated the political left, as well as
pro-Soviet influences.

The book provides a good description of how the Jews of
Israel differ from the Jews in the USA.In Israel,
Jews constructed a distinctly Jewish Society
with strong traditional foundations.In the USA,
there was a move toward constructing a multi-racial /
multi-cultural society.

In today's world, both Israel and the Palestinians must
contend with Islamic rage. PM Rabin tried to embrace
a political solution within the Oslo framework.
PM Netanyahu was elected because the peace process
did not readily result in peace and security.

Overall, the author did a good job of setting forth the
historical and political superstructure which lead to
the creation and continued success of the State of Israel.
The book sets forth the challenges and opportunities
available both now and in future years.

Political history of modern Israel
A History of Modern Israel starts as a history of political philosophies and debates and later transitions into a history of events.The first 150 pages discuss at length the differences between the Mapai and Mapam parties, the debates between politicians like Ben-Gurion and Sharett, and origins of Zionist political philosophies.Even major events, like the 1948 war, are mentioned only as they relate to these discussions.I found this half of the book dull and repetitive, but maybe a more advanced reader will appreciate the discussion of the nuisances of different politicians' beliefs.

Colin Shindler organized his work roughly chronologically.By the time he reaches the early 1980s, his writing shifts to describing events in detail.The scope is still limited to politics, military actions, and relations with the Palestinians and neighbouring states, but I found the second half to be less monotonous.Several obvious (but inconsequential) errors escaped the editors, but otherwise the work seems well-researched.

This is a problematic book.
This is a problematic book. From first to last, there is no doubt that the author has done his homework and that he is very familiar with Israeli history and life.However, he has chosen to focus almost entirely on politics, both internal and external. As a result, he has very little to say about anything else--not economics, not society, not culture, not so many other issues as to make one lose count.
For any reader who wants to know e.g. just how Israeli secular and religious parties fight each other, but who does not care about how religion helps shape the-day-to day lives of ordinary Israelis, this book is a must. On the other hand, anybody who wants to know more about the nature of one of the most varied, creative, dynamic, and, as far as one may judge at present, successful societies in the entire twentieth century, will have to look for another volume to meet his need.

This Book is as dry as an Israeli desert
I bought this book in preparation for an upcoming visit to Israel. I knew knew I made a mistake when the Glossary in front of the book had 3 pages of names and descriptions of all the political parties.It is far more detailed and boring than I expected.I didnt complete the first chapter. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (7)

The Best Preparation for a Teenage/Young Adult Going to Israel
This book is the best preparation for a teenage or young adult trip to Israel. My two nieces went on Birthright/Taglit and learned more from this book than they learned in 5 years of Sunday/Hebrew School.It is an easy to read and fascinating book.

Definitve illustrated crash course about Israel
Beautiful pictorial history of Israel and the Jewish people, filled with exciting facts and exquisite illustrations and photos.

Set into two parts: that of a university lecture on Israel and a trip by the professor and students to Israel.

Begins with the beginnings of Israel as as a people in the biblical narrative, with the migration of Abraham to Canaan, and continues through the Biblical narrative of Joseph, Moses' leading of the Jews from slavery back to the Land of Israel. Continues with the Kingdom of David and Solomon, the Persian Exile and return, Alexander the Great and the brave resistance of the Maccabees to Israel's Greco-Syrian occupiers. Covers the roman occupation, the roman destruction of the Temple and forced exile of the Jews, from their ancient homeland, life in the diaspora including persecutions and the great rabbis and scholars who were inspired to writethe Talmud, Midrash and Zohar.
Fantastic sections on Zionism and the return of the Jews to the Land of Israel, and the aggressive reaction of the Arabs who had migrated to Israel, and their attacks on the Jewish returnees to their own land.
Documents the Holocaust and the collaboration of Palestinian Arab leader Mufti Haj Armin al Husseini and other Arabs with the Nazis.

Outstanding introduction to the conflict and crammed with facts about Israel's rebirth, her wars of survival, against terrorism and her vast achievement in science and medicine, agriculture, literature, language and culture.
this the definitive book for one who knows little and desires to learn about Israel and the Arab-Israeli conflict.
Confronts the issues and history of Israel head on and in absorbing and always exciting way.
Fantastically illustrated throughout, colourful and attractive.

An Illustrated Masterwork
When I was ayoung child, My grandma Esther would taut at me about my comic collection. She said "Mickey Mouse books that won't ever matter ever.". Those words still echo in my head today.After reading Homeland,I wish I could show this book to her now.She would be amazed


To call this book a graphic history novel would not be aninsult. There have been other historical graphic novels that have gone before likeMaus : A Survivor's Tale : My Father Bleeds History/Here My Troubles Began/Boxedand Barefoot Gen Volume One: A Cartoon Story of Hiroshima . However the quality of this work surpasses those two graphic novels. BUT after you buy this, get those as well!

However this illustrated story of the state of Israel is more a history lesson for the masses. The text written by Marvel and DC comic scribe Marv Wolfman is not bias nor boring. He may have a jewish narrative, but it is not so heavy handed as most other works out there are. Its timeline goes from the Bible to modern day Israel. Wolfman's words are well researched. It is about a country anda civilization, Wolfman's pen skills takes adult and child alike into history with ease, which is a hard feat for most writers

The dymanic art work and digital images from the amazing hands of Mario Ruiz is a tresure to keep. This is not an illustrated bible, but a painted graphic novel which unfolds into a history that breathes. This is not comic book images, this is art!

Lets be honest, Children bore easy when you speak of history of any sort...In my opinion, I would want a copy of this comic in every kid's hands over the age of twelve. I do not mean just Jewish children, I mean EVERY CHILD! I do not assume they would bore that easy with a teacher's study guide..which i would hope comes soon

And now to the adults, this volume is great for the coffee table set. Nevertheless, take it off the table and read it too. However, I think the art is sowell versed, I which there were prints available for framing of some of Ruiz's craftmanship. I hope that comes soon as well!

Everyone is seeking great gift ideas for the upcoming holiday seasons...

so the for comic/graphic novel fans out there, this book will thrillthem, just whisper Marv Wolfman's name....

For the history buff, this will intrigue them, it is about an ancient civilization....

For the arsty set, the artwork along will immerse them in masterful images...

For the future Bar Mitzvah boy or Bas Mitvah girl (or their families), this is a great gift to add to their religious library....

For the non Jewish religious ones on your list, the text will still engross them...

And for those who just like a coffee table book which stands out above the rest, this book will suit those

For whatever reason you choose, this book is a gift that keeps giving..So get it!

Bennet Pomerantz AUDIOWORLD

A unique and visually impressive publication
A superbly illustrated history, "Homeland" is a historical overview of 3,500 years of Israel's complex and complicated history presented with the accuracy of university level scholarship and the accessibility of a graphic novel. Exceptionally easy to understand, Israel's history is laid out chronologically with almost every page featuring full color photos and painted illustrations enhancing a superimposed explanatory text. The collaborative effort of Marv Wolfman, Mario Ruiz, and William J. Rubin, "Homeland" begins with the story of Abraham, continues through biblical times down to the period of Roman rule, the diaspora, the Holocaust, the founding of the modern State of Israel, notes its accomplishments, as well as the recent wars the Israeli's have had to wage in order to preserve their nation and themselves. Of special note is how the authors, while writing from a Jewish perspective, have also drawn upon non-Jewish narratives as well, giving "Homeland" an historical context with respect to contemporary Middle East issues. A unique and visually impressive publication which is also available in paperback ($19.95), "Homeland: The Illustrated History of the State of Israel" is a welcome and enthusiastically recommended addition to personal, school, and community library collections.

A Unique Item!
This wonderfully llustrated history gives a great overview of Jewish heritage and a context for today's politics.A great way to get a grounding in the subject for those of Jewish heritage who missed Hebrew School, or others wanting insight into the tragedies and traditions informing modern Judaism (and Zionism).Would be great for teens, but also for adults looking for the big picture. ... Read more

Product Description
The story behind the victory in the Yom Kippur War. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent study of often ignored battle during 1973 war.
Little is heard about the fighting on the Golan Heights between Israeli & Syrian forces during the Yom Kippur war, but those familiar with the terrain & environs of the Golan Heights & the Galilee region as a whole, can have little doubt as to the difficulties facing the combatants on both sides and the very harshness of the campaign.

This excellent book is about the conflict here during the 1973 war, where the Syrian Army massed on the Golan Heights, attempted to strike in a lighting offensive drive towards the Mediterranean Sea, thereby cutting Israel in two during the most Holy period in the Jewish calendar, with the Israeli military at it's most vulnerable.

This outstanding study details the make-up of the Syrian forces which consisted of a vast amount of new Soviet equipment/weaponry & comprising of some 1,200 main battle tanks, 1,000 armoured personnel carriers & some 1,000 artillery pieces, not to mention the vast numbers of infantry.

The book presents a number of interviews taken over a five year period from participants of both sides during the fighting and covers one of the greatest tank battles fought anywhere since World War 2, even detailing many �intimate' accounts of �tank against tank' battles during the combat.

We are provided with remarkable accounts of incredible courage and an analysis of how an inferior number of Israeli troops inflicted one of the greatest defeats in military history upon considerably greater Arab armoured forces. Notably, every single Israeli tank engaged in combat, being numerically inferior, was hit by hostile fire.

An exploration is provided into how the end of this conflict resulted in the Syrian Army being virtually destroyed in the field (including largely ignored or forgotten Iraqi & Jordanian contingents) and with Israeli artillery within range of striking Damascus, the Syrian capital.

A highly recommended, excellent account of yet another pivotal battle in this turbulent region. ... Read more

Product Description
This is a brief history of ancient Israel. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Review of Matthews' 'Ancient Israel'
This is a short, concise and readable introduction to the history of Jews, from Genesis to Alexander. I want to emphasize that the organization directly considers Israelite history in relation to the content of the Bible. However, Matthews also makes extensive use of recent archaeology data and scholarly papers. This is meant to be an 'up-to-date' history, and in this aspect it succeeds. Reading is aided by several tables to simplify information. I dare say this is the perfect textbook for an impatient student. ... Read more

Product Description
In this much-anticipated textbook, Iain Provan, V. Philips Long, and Tremper Longman have written a history of ancient Israel that takes the biblical text seriously as an historical document.While also considering nonbiblical sources and being attentive to what disciplines such as archaeology, anthropology and sociology suggest about the past, they do so within the context and paradigm of the Old Testament canon, which is held as the primary document for reconstructing Israel’s history. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Strong Contribution to Old Testament Debate
I found Provan et al's treatment of Old Testament History to be a valuable contribution to an understanding of this history, particularly how it stands up to scholarly criticism.The book starts weakly in my opinion with a focus on something some guy said, why this guy is wrong, harsh critiques, and so on.But then it gets on to its subject, and there it works well.The book is heavily footnoted, so my impression is that you will have one finger in the chapter and one in the footnotes.However, the footnotes are very informative and so the system seems to work well, albeit requiring back-and-forth.I learned many fascinating things and feel I have a better grasp about what experts believe are the issues related to Israelite history and how reasonably balanced Christian scholars (which I take the authors to be) answer those issues.I read it for a seminary class and it was well worth the time.

Excellent History
An extremely helpful History of Israel, especially the first several chapters which not only create a foundation for reading the OT but which give an excellent discussion of the various approaches to the text. Their primary thesis seems to be that the ancient Hebrew literature should be treated with at least the same respect as other ancient testimonies, be they literary or archeological in nature.The authors allege with thoroughness and authority a skeptical bias against the Hebrew texts in current scholarship.Their argument requires a response.

Propositions, Not Proof
Having only recently dived into the pool of historiography, this book has helped me tremendously to understand the complexities that go into a historiographer's reconstruction of history.

As to why this book is leaps and bounds better than most of your popular apologetic works, here are a few differentiating factors:

A. Philosophy of historigraphical reconstruction. This is perhaps the most unique feature of the book. Before even diving into the various evidences being considered for a reconstruction of the history of Israel, the authors spend roughly 100 pages in dealing with the philosophical underpinnings of historiography. I found this section IMMENSELY enlightening and the book is worth the price for this exposition alone. On what grounds do we accept or reject historical testimony? Does the presence of ideology in a text imply that historical details have been interpolated? What can archaeological evidence tell us about the past? What are the limitations of science in reconstructing history? These and more questions are dealt with in "History of Israel". Rather than merely beginning with a given set of assumptions, the authors dissect the assumptions of themselves and their counterparts in Israeli historical reconstruction.

B. Expertise in the field of historiography. Unlike the many Josh McDowells and Lee Strobels, the authors of this book are professionals in this field of study and it shows in their knowledge of the material at hand, as well as their treatment of the material.

C. Objectivity in a reconstruction of Israel's past. What I loved about this book, especially in comparison to other books on the trustworthiness of the Old Testament texts, was the cool-headed, objective handling of the evidence. The word "prove" is rarely, if ever used. The authors' make it clear that nothing in history is "proven"; only plausible and implausible. This is a breath of fresh air in comparison to the oftentimes dogmatic assertions that are made by many other Christian authors who propound their conclusions with a matter-of-fact, case-closed confidence that leaves many, like myself, wondering what side of the story I'm not hearing from dissenters. The author of "History of Israel" provide ample examples (although sometimes too brief, but there is only so much room when dealing with an topic of this magnitude) of those who do not believe in the historicity of the Biblical texts. Mud-slinging and demonization of dissenters is not present in any of the book. Dissenting views are given what I considered to be a fair (but perhaps too brie) treatment.

"History of Israel" does not set out to prove the Old Testament reliable. It attempts to demonstrate how the Biblical texts can, and likely do, fit in with the evidence at hand. Can this be proven? No. But they certainly make a compelling case for why we ought to trust the traditions handed down to us.

A Beautifully Argued Book
The authors are to be congratulated for their beautifully laid out and tightly argued book.The first third of the book lays out their philosophical basis for the history and provokes many questions and encourages much thought.We are in their debt for this fine, fine book on Israel's history as its comes to us from the "testimony" of Scripture.The authors are to be appreciated for their answering the so called "minimalists"
approach to "biblical" history.I found the book well written, wonderfully argued, and extremely helpful.This book should belong on the shelf of everyone interested in ancient Israel's history.

A necessarybook
I have always felt that you should believe someone unless you have good reason not too. Many biblical minimalist seem to take the view that the bible is wrong as history with very little, if any proof to back their claims up.

This book is a ultra maximalist defense of the bible as a historical work. If you are interested in this subject, its a must read.

... Read more

Product Description
This revised and enlarged edition of Joseph Blenkinsopp's 1983 book will be a welcome addition to the libraries of serious Biblical scholars. The author critically recounts the history of Israelite prophecy from a social-historical perspective. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Update of a basic work on the Prophets
Blenkinsopp's book is a classical introduction to the prophetic books of the Old Testament. This revised and enlarged edition keeps available an important work on the prophets of the Hebrew Bible. He leans heavily upon source analysis, especially P and D/Dtr, for his understanding of the development of the prophets. For Blenkinsopp critical scholarship is "unanimous" about the late authorship and collection of Deuteronomy, 116. There is less emphasis in the book on the original prophet or logia and more on what is from the Deuteronomic editors. Blenkinsopp still sees the prophets as real historical figures although well hidden by a later developed literature.The location of any unit as from the original prophet is then a product of scholarly argumentation.

The first chapter provides a brief summary of the prophet in Israel, including a brief history of criticism, analysis of terminology and the role of the prophet. Discussion is informed by recent developments in social science criticism but little emphasis is given to the ancient Near Eastern data.The book then develops the phenomenon of prophecy with reference to historical developments in Israel. Blenkinsopp, like many modern biblical critics, is skeptical of Israel's history before the monarchy yet he sees hints of a prophetic tradition before the monarchy in narratives about people like Deborah or Miriam. The true beginning, however, is with Samuel and the rise of the monarchy as shaped by the Deuteronomists.

The books is quite thorough in covering each prophetic book and provides extensive bibliographies (updated a little from1983) at the beginning of each unit. The analysis of each book combines a discussion of structural units, shaped by source, genre, and redaction criticism, with significant points of the book's message.Blenkinsopp also develops each work in relationship to the flow of Israel's prophetic movement. Though heavily dependent upon source analysis it is a must for those reading about the Old Testament prophets.

Critical introduction to OT prophecy from a leading scholar
Measured by his own narrow objectives and admitted limitations the book of the author is a success. The entire time span of prophecy is covered in one book and he develops convincing arguments for a tradition of prophecy in Israel.
Blenkinsopp does not let us know who the intended audience of his book is. He could not have in mind the time -pressured human of today's high tech world. One cannot find a single chart or graphical overview in his book, maybe a modern scholar of his educational level considers charts and graphical overviews as unworthy of a scholar.
The main method Blenkinsopp uses is the analysis of literary development, or source criticism (=historical). In many aspects Blenkinsopp is influenced by the theology of Bernhard Duhm. Considering that Duhm was a personal friend of Wellhausen and a fellow professor in Goettingen it should not come to the reader as a surprise that source criticism is overemphasized at the cost of a more thematic approach. Like Gerhard von Rad in his preface to Genesis said, "source analysis is not the final conclusion of wisdom" the reader sometimes feels that he could draw the same conclusions as Blankinsopp, but without all the detailed speculative source analysis.
For the conservative Christian who believes in the inspiration, inerrancy or infallibility of scripture Blenkinsopp offers some unacceptable pills to swallow when he states that: biblical sources are confused and self-contradictory (p.199), this narrative appears to be a free composition (1 Kings 13:1-32; p.158), ideological reasons drove the composition of texts (p.151), Chronicles is not the most reliable of sources (p.119), failures of the biblical historian (p.117), and hyperbolic fantasies of Nahum (p.112) etc. However one wonders if the author leaves room for partial inspiration of texts when he talks about Isaiah 53 (p.192&193) In general though supernatural prediction are excluded as a possibility, so that a prediction about the fate of Bethel in Amos automatically leads to the assumption that this section has been added later in the light of Josiah's reform (p.164).
The conservative Christian might ask himself what the critical view of the prophetic scriptures offers over a traditional or non-critical. It does not need a critical view of prophecy to identify one's social responsibility. But maybe the book offers solutions of dealing intellectually with prophetic phenomena in the Pentecostal or charismatic movement. ... Read more

Product Description
Softcover edition. ... Read more

Product Description
An essential resource—completely revised and updated for the sixtieth anniversary of the founding of Israel

In print for forty years , The Israel-Arab Reader is a thorough and up-to-date guide to the continuing crisis in the Middle East. It covers the full spectrum of the Israel-Arab conflict—including a new chapter recounting the Gaza withdrawal, the Hamas election victory, and the Lebanon-Israel War. Featuring a new introduction that provides an overview of the past 115 years of conflict, and arranged chronologically and without bias, this comprehensive reference includes speeches, letters, articles, timelines, and reports dealing with all the major interests in the area. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

A true documentary book
This book is a "documentary book" in the most literal meaning of the words. It is a book of documents and speeches collected together in chronological order with little or no commentary. No analysis is performed and no opinions are expressed. It just lays out the documents, starting with the Balfour declaration, and on to many letters and documents preceding the declaration of independence. It then follows up with transcripts of speeches and further documents by arab and israeli leaders. This book would be interesting to someone who already knows a lot about the issues and just wants to "use the source". Some of the most important documents are very abridged (the book is long enough as it is) so if you are looking for something specific - you may not find it. On the other hand, you can gain some insights from this book which are very hard to get through more "opinionated" books. It took me many months to get through this book, as I would just read a few paragraphs a day.

Missing maps
This seems to be a comprehensive account of what's gone on with the Jews, the Palestinians and the rest of the players.It is done with no narrative, or very little, using actual documents from the interested parties.So you can read govenment docs, League of Nation's docs, speeches, organizational charters, interviews, policy statements etc and a lot of it is quite eye opening.However, the fact that there are no maps is a major oversight.Some of us are not intimately familiar with that region or the intricate permutations that have occurred over time.To have maps of the evolution of the divisions of the land would have been enlightening and I think really necessary.

Almost the Perfect Reference
I will not spend a lot of time writing about how valuable a reference this is - the other reviewers on this site have already more than done it justice.Aside from the relative lack of material on early Zionism (also pointed out by one of the other reviewers), this book has most if not all of the relevant documents.I have only one major criticism (the reason I gave the book four stars instead of 5): the almost complete lack of information about the original sources.Apart from a one-liner preceding each document, no information is given regarding 1) the citation of the original work, including page numbers, where appropriate; 2) the language in which the original work was written; 3) if the work was not written in English, credit for the translation, the date thereof, etc.While these may not be of interest to the casual reader, to anyone doing research in the field, if only for a college paper, these details are critical.Furthermore, in an area as controversial as the Arab-Israeli conflict, the ability to trace documents back to the original and verify translations is everything.

Every UN Document
What else can be said about a book that contains every UN and League of Nations document about the Israel-Palestine conflict?It is a necessity as a reference for those engaged and a great book to learn about the conflict and its basic political evolution.

A book worthy of being called objective
If one is a previously biased reader, this book will doubtlessly contain some documents that are upsetting to read on grounds of including inciteful material. However, the only real criticism that I have is that the 3rd edition has several documents that are of interest to those seeking to research the early Mandatory period, such as documents by Ze'ev Jabotinsky, the Revisionist Zionist and ideological founder of the Irgun Zvai Leumi. It is understanable though, that as future editions come out the length could get phrohibitively long without pruning some data. As a basic and intermediate level documentary text it is one of the best I have come across. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A concise but informative history of Israel
A concise but informative history of Israel with a strong emphasis on recent decades.It essentially serves as a refresher cause to those who have studied Israel's history and covered recent events, and a beginners guide to Israel history for those who have not.
It mentions thethe 2000 years of longing of Jews to return to their ancient land after the expulsion of most of Israel's Jews by the Romans.
The first chapter on the history of Israel from the biblical times to the Ottoman Period could have been more detailed since it covers the roots of the Jews in the Land of Israel.Two vital things I really liked in the chapter was the map of David's Kingdom in 970 BCE of which the current border of Israel cover less than a quarter.
The author does, to his credit explain the derivative of the word 'Jew' from the Hebrew word Yehudi meaning 'man of Judah'.
How ironic and unjust therefore that it is judged by the world community as 'illegal' or even 'a war crime' for Jews to live in their own ancient cradle of origin.

The Second Chapter the Prehistory of the State of Israel' covers the return of Jews to their ancient land, from 1880 (known as the 'modern Zionist movement')until the re-establishment of statehood of the Jewish state in 1948, including the Balfour Declaration of 1917, and how as a result of Arab pogroms against Jewish communities in the 1020's and 30's led to the British turning their backs on the promises to the Jewish people and trying to stop Jewish immigration into the Holy Land and the attack by five Arab armies on the fledgling state of Israel, after the United Nations voted for partition in 1948, and the war that was long and costly for Israel.
While the author does date the fact that in the first four months of independence in May, 1948, 50 000 immigrants, almost all Holocaust survivors settled in Israel (only to find themselves attacked by people who were determined to destroy them) and that by 1951, over 300 000 Jews had arrived from Arab states, he deflates their numbers (the Jewish refugees from Arab countries were closer to 700 000) and does not cover the fact that they were refugees expelled, amidst pogroms and genocide, from the Arab
lands they had lived in for many centuries.
In the third chapter 'Political, Economic and Military Consolidation' the author outlines the achievements of building up a sustainable economic infrastructure, absorbing hundreds of thousands of Jews, building up an excitingly vibrant multi-party democracy (much of the book covers Israel's interesting party political developments and the elections to Israel Knesset (Parliament) from 1948 to 2006.An interesting side box discusses Israel's programme of aid and training to newly independent developing states in Africa, Asia and Latin America from the 1950's. 60's and early 70's until, under Arab pressure, most African countries, under Arab pressure, cut ties with Israel in the wake of the 1973 Yom Kippur War.
This chapter covers the Suez War of how incessant terrorist Fedayeen raids on Israel from Egypt, organized by Nasser, and the closing of the Straits of Tiran against international law lead to Israel's participation with Britain and France against Nasser.
Chapter 4 describes how Arab threatsof Israel's destruction and the genocide of it's people, the surrounding of Israel's borders of Arab armies ready fro war from Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and Egypt, ready to act, and the final spark, Nasser's blocking of the Straights of Tiran, constituting an act of war led to Israel reacting to the Arab's warlike activities and preemptive striking in the Six Day War.
The book go's on to cover Arab terrorist activity, the Egyptian War of Attrition against Israel (1969-1970_ and the cowardly Arab attack of the Yom Kippur War by several Arab armies against Israel in 1973, the political earthquake that swept Menachem Begin and his Likud Party to power in the 1977 election after 30 years of Labour domination and the 1982 Lebanon War, when Israel struck at the PLO in Lebanon after years of being attacked from Lebanon, and the political fallout from this war.
But most of the book covers events in the 90s and first decade of the 21st century from the Oslo Peace Accords, to Arafat's launching of the Five Year Palestinian Terror War of Israel's civilian population and Israel's reaction (the author wrongly gives the terror war legitimacy by referring it incorrectly as the 'Al Aqsa Intifada', the word used by the terrorists and their supporters and propagandists.

In an attempt to be neutral the author underplays Arab aggression and how Israel has sacrificed it's own rights and security for 62 years in order to try to bring about peace with the Arabs who (with the exception of Sadat in 1978 and King Hussein of Jordan in 1994 as well as the more moderate Gulf states and Morocco) have been completely uninterested.
He certainly underplays the horror of the Arab terror on Israel civilian population in the 2000-2005 Palestinian Terror War.
He does however stick to the facts and it is a factual and concise history of the period, helpful to recapping the events of the conflict.
It go's on to cover the 2005 Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and forced expulsion of Gaza's Jewish inhabitants, the 2006 Second Lebanon War in which Israel reacted to Hezbollah terror and aggression and subsequent political development up to early 2008, including Hezbollah leader Hannan Narallah's February 2008 threats against Israel and President George W Bush's rcommitment to US support for Israel in early 2008, thrown into doubt by the 5 November 2008 election of the pro-Arab Barack Obama, and his subsequent attempts to appease the Arab/Islamic world's most radical elements, while increasingly showing coldness bordering on hostility to Israel, and making demands on Israel which would endanger the Jewish state, for nothing in return.

Not bad
This book could be considerably better.But it gives me a chance to show that I can be generous, and give five stars to any book that makes a serious effort to inform its readers.This book does that.

Sure, it made me gulp when it claimed that both the Jews and Arabs believed that they "had the right to the entire territory."Um, really?Anyone can see that the Jews saw it as their right to buy land and live on it, not to expel Arabs, while many Arabs appear to have fought for the right to ban, expel, rob, slander, oppress, and murder the Jews.There is a big asymmetry here!And that asymmetry is even greater when one considers the fact that Jews were indeed banned from Saudi Arabia and even Jordan (actually the bulk of the original Mandate!) but still did not consider returning the favor by banning Arabs from their fifth of the Mandate.

The book often misses a chance to show just how greedy many of the Arabs were being in demanding rights to all Jewish land.But it does report on the bulk of Israel's history in a reasonably accurate manner.

One problem one has in discussing the history of Israel is that there are a great many highly dubious Arab complaints about Israel.These complaints are manifested in absurd UN resolutions and in statements to the media.What does one do about it?If one dismisses the most ridiculous accusations, one appears to be taking sides.If one does not dismiss them, one is being misleading, and making it appear that the more outrageous UN resolutions against Israel reflect badly not on the UN but on Israel.

I think the book could have been much better in addressing all this, but it did report the reaction of both sides as soberly as it could, and it did let us readers draw our own conclusions.

One last comment.I know it is a tiny point, far less important than any other, but I simply have to make it.Israel is the only Jewish state.Were the Temple of Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva still in Aelia Capitolina (Jerusalem), I would have been surprised to see it adorn the cover of this book.If there is a book about France, I expect to see something French on the cover.If it is about Hungary, I expect to see something Hungarian.This book is about Israel, and the Dome of the Rock is not really the most Israeli thing, and certainly not the most Jewish thing that I can think of.Quite the contrary.

I can imagine the reaction that I would have were a book about my country to show some edifice that was not merely of a different people but of a people that were at war with my nation and were bullying my nation.I'd feel provoked.I'd be asking myself if it might be a good idea to tear that edifice down, so I wouldn't be seeing my country pictured this way.And that's a really bad idea.

If I were an Arab, I would still feel provoked.But now, I'd be wondering why, instead of showing that Israel is sovereign over something Jewish, it implied that Israel was sovereign over an Arab edifice!And I'd be asking myself if it might be a good idea to get total sovereignty over the place, so nobody would show it as part of Israel any more.And that is a really bad idea too.

I think this book (and a few others) ought to be faulted not so much for showing this picture, but for showing only this picture on its cover. ... Read more

Product Description
Israel is a small and relatively young country, but its turbulent history has placed it squarely at the centre of the world stage for most of this century. For two millennia the Jews, dispersed all over the world, prayed for a return to Zion. Until the nineteenth century, that dream seemed a fantasy, but then a secular Zionist movement was born and soon the initial trickle of Jewish immigrants to Palestine turned into a flood as Jews fled persecution in Europe. From these beginnings, Martin Gilbert traces the events and personalities that would lead to the sudden, dramatic declaration of Statehood in May 1948. From that point on, Israel's history has been dominated by conflict: Suez, the Six Day War, the Yom Kippur War, the Lebanon and the Intifada. Using contemporary documents and eyewitness accounts, drawing on his own intimate knowledge of the country and its people, Martin Gilbert weaves together a seamless, page-turning history of a powerful and proud nation. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (25)

Excellent play-by-play history but no analysis
The book is well written but it is a more "what happened" type history book, rather than any analysis. The lack of analysis fails to explain to us WHY the Arab nations lost the battles. Whether or not the book is biased towards one side of the other, I cannot say. The book for example merely reports that Egypt nationalized/seized the Suez Canal, not going into detail about the history of the canel. In any case, not bad -- the chapter on the 67 and 73 wars were dramatic, a play by play history.

Disappointing account of Israel's history
I must say I was disappointed with Gilbert's book.Despite being 700+ pages, it is definitely a 'once over lightly' account. I've read far better histories of the British Mandate and the Arab Rebellion, to name but two important sequences, in other books.In the early chapters, he skates over the Arab resistance to Jewish immigration, ignoring the McMahon correspondence and the Arabs' belief that the British promised them the return of ALL Arab lands to them after the defeat of the Turks.The Arabs make an appearance only as angry mobs in these chapters.Later, he seems far too much in the tank for his good friend Shimon Peres at the expense of other Israeli leaders, and in the final chapters is clearly on the side of the Israeli left.If this seems like a schizophrenic review, it's because it's a schizophrenic book.

Recommended for interest, but not for enlightenment.

Gilbert paralyzed by the source materials?
First, let me say that the history of the nation of Israel is a fascinating story, but its hard to tell it from this journalistic scrap book cut and paste job telling of events with no attempt to integrate or explain.

From what I can tell (Gilbert doesn't help with this) the unsettled situation in Israel that has descended from occasional national wars to continual regional terrorism stems from some primary facts about Israel:

1.In 1948, after the nation was declared, there was a massive exchange of refugees--Palestinians moving out, Jews moving in.Israel quickly integrated its refugees economically, politically, socially, and spiritually.The Palestinians were kept intentionally isolated as refugees in their new countries, even up to today.

2.The continued occupation of Gaza and the West Bank after the 1967 war for security reasons brought a large Palestinian population under Israeli political leadership, setting the stage for an ongoing Arab problem (and was opposed by many Israeli leaders at the time)

3.The secularization of Israeli life and society has led to conflicts with a government increasingly isolated from its population because of . . .

4.. . . the gradual increase of religious influence in Israeli politics.Increasingly conservative religion-based political parties have had an enormous impact on the resolution of the questions of how to do deal with the Arab population in Israel and the Gaza/West Bank areas, the "peace process", and . . .

5.. . . the increasing and increasingly militaristic conservative Jewish resettlement in the disputed areas, which in a perfect- storm downward spiral reinforces the resolve of the Israeli government to maintain its presence in the disputed areas.

Again, these are my conclusions, Gilbert draws none and provides no discussion toward conclusions.It is as if he were paralyzed by the source materials and was unable to go beyond the cut and paste job that was the raw material for what might have been a worthwhile effort.

A comprehensive history of twentieth century Israel
Martin Gilbert, in this comprehensive volume, chronicles the history of the Land of Israel (Eretz Yisrael), from 1862 to 1997.
He describes the ancient attachment of the Jewish people to the Land of Israel, through the millenia. Since the destruction of the Second Temple by the Romans in CE 70, the Jews who were dispersed all over the Roman Empire, had prayed for a return to Zion.
'Next year' in Jerusalem, has always been the hope expressed at the end of every Passover meal, commemorating the exodus from Egypt.
During the 1700s movements of Hasidic Jews took place to Eretz Yisrael, from Eastern Europe.
By mid-19th century there were around 10 000 Jews living in Eretz Yisrael.
More than 8000 of them lived in Jerusalem. A few hundred lived in the ancient holy city of Safed in the north, in Tiberius, Acre and Jaffa, and there was a community in Peki'in, where there has been a continuous presence of Jews since the destruction of the Second Temple.
He describes the origins of the modern Zionist movement born out of Jewish national aspirations and the ages old attachment to Israel: Moses Hess, George Eliot, Bilu and Hovevei Zion, the return to the land, the actualization of the Zionist programme by Theodore Herzl, and the rebuilding of the blighted and empty Palestine.
By 1914 there were 90 000 Jews living in the Land of Israel, of whom 75 000 were immigrants.
Gilbert reviews the Arab attacks on Jewish communities, in 1920-21, 1929 and 1936-1939, in which Jewish communities were attacked and thousands of Jewish men, women and children murdered.
The answers today to the problems posed by the opponents of Zionism, were already evident before the State of Israel was re-established.
Islamic radicals and the international extreme left demmand that Israel be dismantled and be replaced by a unitary Arab 'Palestine' in which the Jews would survive at the tolerance of Hamas and the PLO.
Zionist leader Arthur Ruppin wrote in 1931 that there was no hope for the Jews to rely, for their survival on Arab goodwill:
"At most the Arabs would agree to grant national rights to the Jews in an Arab state, on the pattern of national rights in Eastern Europe. But we know only too well from conditions in Eastern Europe how little a majority with executive power can be moved to grant real and complete real and national equality to a minority. The fate of of the Jewish minority in Palestine would always be dependent upon the goodwill of the Arab minority which would steer the state."
With Hamas in the ascendancy today, among the Palestinians, with it's aim to clear 'Palestine' of all Jews, and it's murderous apparatus, we all know that a 1 State Solution would lead to a second holocaust of Jews.
Israel was created so that Jews could rely on themselves for their own security and welfare, afetr two thousand years of being subjected to tyrants and murderous rabble.
This remains the case, more than ever today, and always will.
Gilbert covers the massive immigration to Israel, from Germany in the 1930's of hundreds of thousands of Jews fleeing form Hitler's Nazi Reich, and how Britain later shut the doors to Jewish immigration into Israel, while allowing massive immigration from neighbouring Arab regions.
Millions of Jews, who could have fled, to Israel, were instead consumed in the Nazi infernos, in part due to Arab-British connivance.
We read of the in depth anti-Semitic and Nazi-influenced culture, inculcated among Arabs , since the time of Hitler's arch-ally and leader of the Palestinian Arabs, Mufti Haj Amin el Husseini.
Later, for example, we read of how Egyptian troops captured by Israeli soldiers, during the Suez War of 1956, carried on them Arabic translations of Hitler's Meim Kampf.
We read of the survival of the Jews in Palestine during World War II, and how it miraculously survived being overwhelmed by the Axis powers in neighbouring Syria, Lebanon and Egypt.
Finally we read of the struggles of the state internally and externally.
The growth of a society of refugees, and their descendants, refugees either from Nazi-occupied Europe, and holocaust survivors, and of the 800 000 Jews brutally driven out of Arab countries, after 1948.
Of the wars for survival, and of the countless terror attacks, across the borders from the 1950's.
The continuous provocation and murder from Israel's Arab neighbours , and we discover how every war, contrary to Islamic and radical left propaganda, was initiated by the Arabs and their allies.
Unfortunately, the last few chapters of the book, seems to have a bias towards the left of the Israeli political spectrum, and the demand that Israel gives countless concessions to the 'Palestinians', with nothing in return.
The last word, for me, however go's to the former Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv, Chaim David HaLevi who in response to one of the countless Arab atrocities against Israeli women and children, said at the funeral of a an elderly holocaust survivor, who died in a Hamas suicide bombing, in 1997:"These deaths are more painful than all of the losses of the Jewish people suffered while in exile. Here they are trying to flush us out of our homeland. But we will stay in this land, despite everything".
G-D Bless the Jews of the Land of Israel, forever!

A comprehensive history of Israel from 1862 to 1997

Martin Gilbert, in this comprehensive volume, chronicles the history of the Land of Israel (Eretz Yisrael), from 1862 to 1997.
He describes the ancient attachment of the Jewish people to the Land of Israel, through the millenia. Since the destruction of the Second Temple by the Romans in CE 70, the Jews who were dispersed all over the Roman Empire, had prayed for a return to Zion.
'Next year' in Jerusalem, has always been the hope expressed at the end of every Passover meal, commemorating the exodus from Egypt.
During the 1700s movements of Hasidic Jews took place to Eretz Yisrael, from Eastern Europe.
By mid-19th century there were around 10 000 Jews living in Eretz Yisrael.
More than 8000 of them lived in Jerusalem. A few hundred lived in the ancient holy city of Safed in the north, in Tiberius, Acre and Jaffa, and there was a community in Peki'in, where there has been a continuous presence of Jews since the destruction of the Second Temple.
He describes the origins of the modern Zionist movement born out of Jewish national aspirations and the ages old attachment to Israel: Moses Hess, George Eliot, Bilu and Hovevei Zion, the return to the land, the actualization of the Zionist programme by Theodore Herzl, and the rebuilding of the blighted and empty Palestine.
By 1914 there were 90 000 Jews living in the Land of Israel, of whom 75 000 were immigrants.
Gilbert reviews the Arab attacks on Jewish communities, in 1920-21, 1929 and 1936-1939, in which Jewish communities were attacked and thousands of Jewish men, women and children murdered.
The answers today to the problems posed by the opponents of Zionism, were already evident before the State of Israel was re-established.
Islamic radicals and the international extreme left demmand that Israel be dismantled and be replaced by a unitary Arab 'Palestine' in which the Jews would survive at the tolerance of Hamas and the PLO.
Zionist leader Arthur Ruppin wrote in 1931 that there was no hope for the Jews to rely, for their survival on Arab goodwill:
"At most the Arabs would agree to grant national rights to the Jews in an Arab state, on the pattern of national rights in Eastern Europe. But we know only too well from conditions in Eastern Europe how little a majority with executive power can be moved to grant real and complete real and national equality to a minority. The fate of of the Jewish minority in Palestine would always be dependent upon the goodwill of the Arab minority which would steer the state."
With Hamas in the ascendancy today, among the Palestinians, with it's aim to clear 'Palestine' of all Jews, and it's murderous apparatus, we all know that a 1 State Solution would lead to a second holocaust of Jews.
Israel was created so that Jews could rely on themselves for their own security and welfare, afetr two thousand years of being subjected to tyrants and murderous rabble.
This remains the case, more than ever today, and always will.
Gilbert covers the massive immigration to Israel, from Germany in the 1930's of hundreds of thousands of Jews fleeing form Hitler's Nazi Reich, and how Britain later shut the doors to Jewish immigration into Israel, while allowing massive immigration from neighbouring Arab regions.
Millions of Jews, who could have fled, to Israel, were instead consumed in the Nazi infernos, in part due to Arab-British connivance.
We read of the in depth anti-Semitic and Nazi-influenced culture, inculcated among Arabs , since the time of Hitler's arch-ally and leader of the Palestinian Arabs, Mufti Haj Amin el Husseini.
Later, for example, we read of how Egyptian troops captured by Israeli soldiers, during the Suez War of 1956, carried on them Arabic translations of Hitler's Meim Kampf.
We read of the survival of the Jews in Palestine during World War II, and how it miraculously survived being overwhelmed by the Axis powers in neighbouring Syria, Lebanon and Egypt.
Finally we read of the struggles of the state internally and externally.
The growth of a society of refugees, and their descendants, refugees either from Nazi-occupied Europe, and holocaust survivors, and of the 800 000 Jews brutally driven out of Arab countries, after 1948.
Of the wars for survival, and of the countless terror attacks, across the borders from the 1950's.
The continuous provocation and murder from Israel's Arab neighbours , and we discover how every war, contrary to Islamic and radical left propaganda, was initiated by the Arabs and their allies.
Unfortunately, the last few chapters of the book, seems to have a bias towards the left of the Israeli political spectrum, and the demand that Israel gives countless concessions to the 'Palestinians', with nothing in return.
The last word, for me, however go's to the former Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv, Chaim David HaLevi who in response to one of the countless Arab atrocities against Israeli women and children, said at the funeral of a an elderly holocaust survivor, who died in a Hamas suicide bombing, in 1997:"These deaths are more painful than all of the losses of the Jewish people suffered while in exile. Here they are trying to flush us out of our homeland. But we will stay in this land, despite everything".
G-D Bless the Jews of the Land of Israel, forever!
... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (5)

Balanced, informative, and accessible
This is a well-written, concise, and unbiased overview of a complex situation.It's a quick enjoyable read and written in a very accessible style.I've read it at least three times.I've given it away to several friends and am always buying new copies.Why?I'm passionate about this topic and while people who agree with me do not hate this book, they are not excited about it either.That tells me it's right on the mark.

I've written few Amazon reviews, but felt compelled to recommend this excellent book.

Very informative and honest
This is one of the most honest and informative books, I have read about the subject. No biased opinions, just facts and fair introduction. Easy to read ant to undrestand also for people, who have a very little backround information.

Great Book
Harms and Ferry,

Thank you so much for puting an amazing book together and for your hard work. It was very easy to follow the timeline and understand the roots of the both civilizations, why and when the conflict started,the super powers have been involved and current policy updates.

I will suggest this book to many of my friends that have no clue what is really going on in Palestine or don't have enough time to go through pages of information and make a long research. I have much better understanding of the real reasons for the conflict.

It is really a great book!!!
Thanks again
Erinch

Excellent primer for someone new to topic
I thought this book did an excellent job of covering all the major events pertinent to this topic. It also gave a sense of the timeline. I thought the coverage was even-handed and reasonably objective. For someone looking for an introduction to this topic, or maybe just a single book that will give one an overall sense of things, this seems ideal.
I defintely recommend this book.

An Excellent,Concise Overview
Harms and Ferry are to be congratulated on writing a book that concisely introduces a very complicated and controversial topic.The authors have skillfully put together a readable and brief account of the origins of the present conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.Most readers (hopefully) will find it remarkably well-balanced and accurate, neither demonizing the Israelis nor the Muslims, but frankly stating that this is a disagreement with more modern roots in politics and a clash over land, rather than an ancient conflict of religion.Harms and Ferry have given us a good work to introduce prospective students or new initiates into a very important field of study.I highly recommend it. ... Read more

Product Description
Israel is the crucial battlefield for Capitalism and Freedom in our time.

George Gilder's global best-seller Wealth and Poverty made the moral case for capitalism. Now Gilder makes the case for Israel, portraying a conflict of barbarism and envy against civilization and creativity.

Gilder reveals Israel as a leader of human civilization, technological progress, and scientific advance. Tiny Israel stands behind only the United States in its contributions to the hi-tech economy. Israel has become the world's paramount example of the blessings of freedom.

Hatred of Israel, like anti-Semitism through history, arises from resentment of Jewish success. Rooted in a Marxist zero-sum-game theory of economics, this vision has fueled the anti-Semitic rantings of Hitler, Arafat, Osama, and history's other notorious haters.

Faced with a contest between murderous regimes sustained by envy and Nazi ideology, and a free, prosperous, and capitalist, Israel—whose side are you on? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (50)

most vital book in the post 9/11 era
When this book was released last year, I did not purchase but read the reviews, which were all glowing. Now, after hearing from numerous friends about how brilliant Gilder's writing is, I finally read it. It's better than I imagined -- truly.

A three part unique mix of history and economics, in 250 crisp pages, the esteemed Mr. Gilder summarizes why Israel is simply an "independent salient" of America -- with the same freedom, autarky, capitalistic values and liberal democratic standards. The bond and support is essential for the survival of the western world.

Gilder defines the two groups involved in this "test" from the onset:

"Israel defines a line of demarcation. On one side, marshaled at the United Nations and in universities around the globe, are those who see capitalism as a zero-sum game in which success comes at the expense of the poor and the environment: every gain for one party comes at the cost of another. On the other side are those who see the genius and the good fortune of some as a source of wealth and opportunity for all."

The three main questions on "The Israel Test" follows:

1. "What is your attitude toward people who excel you in the creation of wealth or in other accomplishment?"

2. "Do you aspire to their excellence, or do you seethe at it?"

3. "Do you admire and celebrate exceptional achievement, or do you impugn it and seek to tear it down?"


Though the elites, and especially the U.N., refuse to recognize or answer these questions, Israel's bond with America and freedom (as opposed to evil) is proven by history. To deny it is to show the same ignorance show by those who sought "diplomacy" with Hitler in 1939, supported destructive "disarmament" in the 1980s, and now look for rapprochement with the new Nazis: Iranian leaders, Hezbollah, Hamas, the PLO, etc. These people are continuing the work of Hitler's brown shirt thugs, learning from copies of Mein Kampf that Yassir Arafat left behind. Gilder traces these origins of Palestinian nationalism to Hitler's most prominent Muslim supporter and collaborator, Haj Amin al-Husseini, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem.

The "Peace NOW" movement, specifically their insane aim, is actually MORE dangerous than Islamic Jihad. Gilder confesses that many Israelis (and Americans) are guilty of being far too benevolent, especially donating so many millions of dollar to the so-called "Palestinians" -- most of which supports Jihadism.

A large portion of this factual book deals with the envy toward Jewish success from so many sects of society, especially totalitarians, secular Marxists and socialist regimes. The current US presidential administration is not helping matters with their negative attitudes toward Israel and its very pro-American Zionist leader Bibi Netanyahu.

To close, here is the opening of Commentary's Michael Medved's review of this book, which I think is important to heed, especially if you're a Jew:

"It wasn't the author's intention, to be sure, but George Gilder's new book, The Israel Test, may infect some Jewish readers with a bad case of WASP envy: only a Protestant patrician with no hint of Hebraic background would dare to write so positively about Israel and the Jews. To those who seek to explain murderous hostility to Israel with reference to its supposed policy failures or purportedly harsh treatment of Palestinians, Gilder elegantly responds: "Locked in a debate over Israel's alleged vices, they miss the salient truth running through the long history of anti-Semitism: Israel is hated above all for its virtues."

If the USA is First, Why is Israel a Very Close Second
Why must the USA become more like Israel? History states that the USA is quite unlike Israel, yet in the areas of invention and innovation both places are quite similar, at least in the history of the USA and currently in Israel.The USA was built upon cheap finance and risk taking and today Israel has probably overtaken the USA on a per-capita basis in new ventures in technology and the shouldering of risk to gain large commensurate rewards from this risk taking.Also the USA used to gain a semi-skilled workforce and skilled workforce from military service training, and most of this is now forgone by training lawyers and accountants, at the same time Israel relies upon promoting skills in the unique 'Israeli Draft' which also recognizes and fosters natural intelligence and skills found in 'elite' people with superior abilities.This is nothing new in Jewish history.When Budapest was the world center for science and technology, over 70 percent of the elite Luthern High School of Budapst were Jewish!This century over 1/3 of Noble Prize winners are also Jewish.
The Shoa or Holocaust was perhaps founded upon the jealous idea to rid the world of people of natural ability who possessed a history of encouraging the intelligent to push their abilites and to go beyond the current status quo.This is in strict contrast of an engendering of a fear and resentment of success through "leveler egalitarianism," that is socially enforced medocity, and the demand to "soak the rich" through "coveteous fairness," typically found in places that have lost the plot, the map, and the desire to suceed.This plot, map, and desire has recently been allowed in a country of 5 million Jews and they have thrived beyond the dreams of most Israelis and far beyond the expectation levels of the hordes of Israel's and the West's enemies.
A worthy read for those who have wondered where Israel found America's lost way, and how the USA is able to get back on "Track."

Amazing
At last I found a powerful and convincing explanation to anti-semitism, a phenomenon I have been very confused about for many years.

great book
This is a great book. The author is brilliant. All should read it. I send it to friends.

Masterful!
In a masterful work, Gilder demonstrates with ample evidence the crucial role the Jewish people have played in the development and maintenance of prosperity and freedom. While his thesis may be anathema to today's largely politically correct societies, the facts speak for themselves.
From showing how much of anti-semitism is actually envy, to showing the negative effects on nations who have banished the Jews, it becomes clear the important role Jews have played, and continue to play in sustaining prosperity and free societies.
Give up your "conventional wisdom" and see if you pass "The Israel Test". ... Read more

Product Description
The author presents a full portrait of ancient Israel as well as Greece and Rome which set the religious and cultural standards of Western civiliaztion ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Business Excellence
My purchase of this book was an experience in excellence.The book was a good read and the seller is a professional whom I would highly recommend.

Not a lot of detail.
This book is a "light" read.It covers a lot of histroical areas,but not in much detail.
The author uses the name "Yahweh".He gives some details on the books of the Old Testament mostly.
He writes about the "source theory" and some of the differences in beliefs such as when the name Yahweh was first known in OT times.
There are some interesting theories:
Zilpah and Bilhah were of "mixed race".
The tribe of Levi never went to Egypt at all.
The idea that boiling a kid in it's mother's milk was a Canaanite,magic fertility rite.
The possible split authorship of Isaiah,1-39 and 40-66.

He mentions a few times in passing the lost ten tribes of Israel and the history of Samaria as a capitol for King Omri.

This is a book suited to someone wanting a starter type book on Biblical history.
I would recommend "Restoring the Original Bible" by Ernest L. Martin to anyone wanting a more detailed study of Biblical history.

not as good as his Roman books
Having been quite impressed by one of Grant's Roman Empire books, I had high expectations for this book -- expectations which (excepting maybe the chapter on Herod) were not met.The problem is this: Grant had abundant source material for his Roman books, so he can give a seemingly accurate description of imperial Rome.But for most of Israel's history up to about 100 BC or so, there is almost no source material other than the Bible.Thus, you can't even try to interpret Hebrew history before 100 without intelligently explaining your view on the truth (or lack of same) of the Hebrew Bible (or as Christians call it, the Old Testament).So to intelligently discuss what might have happened, you have to show some understanding of the theological issue -- and Grant, being a historian and not a theologian, doesn't even try to do so.Unfortunately, Grant just assumes the truth of one view (the "Documentary Hypothesis" -- i.e., that the Bible was written by a wide variety of people rather than being transmitted by God to Moses and the prophets) rather than arguing the point, so his interpretations are useless to anyone but hardened secularists.I gave this book two stars instead of one only because Grant does have some interesting tidbits about various minor points (e.g. minor similarities between early Judaism and paganism).

A History of Ancient Israel
This is an excellent resource on understanding the history of Israel following the text of the Hebrew Bible.Michael Grant is a superb writer, who conveys a solid knowledge of the Hebrew Bible, Jewish history, andcommentary in a single accessible, and enjoyable text.A must read forteachers both academic and religious.

This book is an amazing achievement!
Michael Grant is a peerless writer on the ancient world. His earlier book on King Herod was superb. This comprehensive review of the history of Israel is the best thing of its kind I have ever seen. I am ordering a copyfor myself even before finishing it. It will be a key reference book andessential background preparation for my own book in progress about earlyChristianity. Michael Grant knows how to write. And he covers all essentialpoints in clear and insightful fashion. ... Read more

Product Description
The story of Israel is one of the outstanding tales of human history. Israel, occupying a narrow strip of land between sea and desert, was positioned on an international highway of commerce and warfare. This was a people whose future would be intertwined with the stories of nations great and small.F. F. Bruce shapes the daunting complexities of this history, nearly fourteen hundred years from the exodus to the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, into straight prose that sparkles with clarity. More than half of the book is devoted to the postexilic history of Israel, the "intertestamental" period and the first-century history that forms the backdrop of the New Testament.First published in 1963, Israel and the Nations has achieved wide recognition as an excellent introduction to the history of Israel. This new edition, carefully revised by David F. Payne, includes some new material and a revised bibliography. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

An context for the Bible
Because the Bible has a spiritual point and tells a spiritual story, the context with which that story develops can seem obscure at times. Professor Bruce's effort, in Israel and the Nations, attempts to place most of the Old and New Testament within its regional political and cultural context in a very precise and clear prose style.

Bruce writes with the presupposition of the historicity of the miracles and supernatural interaction with the Hebrew people being real, but that is not his primary focus. His focus is to place the spiritual story within the larger story of the ancient near east. He does regard the the Bible to be a history source of the highest rank. The author makes no theological judgments of the events, but merely places them in time.

His story is remarkable when taken out of its familiarity: a large tribe of nomads arising from Egypt over 3500 years ago onto a cross-roads section of the Mediterranean coast, after various civil wars, economic collapses, and defeats by a string of neighboring powers, should be nothing more than a footnote to history, as much as the Hittite Empire or the Amorite. Instead, they changed the world, largely due to their struggle to keep and at times abandon their unique religious faith.


The first half of the book covers the period from the Egyptian exodus to the end of the prophets. This retelling of the history has a wonderful way of humanizing the events told in the Old Testament. The envies and strife spring from real tribal warfare, real economic crisises, and real political intrigue. The rise and fall of King Solomon and his descendants is an excellent example. Taking advantage to exploit natural resources, like copper and horses for chariots, his tribal empire grew; yet fell when tax burdens, forced labor, double-crossings of allies and enemies happened and raw nepotism and favoritism ensured the worst of combinations: weak and oppressive government, something not easily picked up by reading the scriptural narrative, but the elements are all there.

The value of Psalm 137, which tells of the joy of Judah's traditional enemy, Edom, rejoicing over their fall to the Babylonians in 587 BC has a greater ring to it when you understand the doom of the fall of Jerusalem and what that meant for relations to neighbors and what that said about the confidence of the Jewish people in years to come.

The last half of the book deals with what is known as the inter-testament period to the final fall of Jerusalem in AD 70 to the Romans and the Jewish diaspora that forever changed Judaism and his daughter faith Christianity. The exploits of Alexander the Great, his successor Greek rulers, the rise of Rome, and the Herodian dynasty are all told here from the perspective of the Jewish people and state. What readily becomes apparent is that the Jews were becoming more of a spiritual people and less of a nationalistic people, as the Greek influence after Alexander, spread the Jewish influence around the Mediterranean basin. In fact the first translation of the Bible out of its native tongue, the Septuagint, took place around 50 BC in the Jewish learning centers of Alexandria, Egypt.

This is an excellent book, not only because the story it tells is excellent, but because Dr. Bruce writes of it extremely well and concisely in under 250 pages. It would be a worthwhile read for students of the Bible.

Important reading
This book fills an important gap in the period covered.While not as extensive as some histories of the period it binds together each section of history very well, showing how one event not just preceded the other but in most cases gave birth to it.Today is the product of yesterday is what this book demonstrates in a comprehensive way. Accordingly to understand the days in which our Lord lived this book is invaluable.A must read.F F Bruce is both reliable and academic without being cold and analytical.

Israel & The Nations - Solid History Well Told
Israel & The Nations packs an incredible level of detail into a well flowing and very readable history. I highly recommend it for the Bible student or teacher who is seeking to have a clear chronological context forthe events in the Scriptures. The authors' accounts are concise andfact-laden. The account of Nebuchadnezzar's defeat of Pharaoh Necho, thesubsequent deportations of Israelis to Babylon, and Zedekiah's revolt isbetter told than all other theother reference books in my bookcasecombined (and I have a lot of books). This is the overview history that Iwish I had twenty years ago. ... Read more