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Jews, God & History Second Edition Mass Market Paperback – Deckle Edge, 26 September 2012
by Max I. Dimont (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars (425)
How have the Jews survived through so many millennia while other civilizations have declined and perished? What qualities mark the cultures that produced Moses, Christ, Spinoza, Marx, Freud, and Einstein/ From ancient Palestine through Europe and Asia, to America and modern Israel, Max I. Dimont shows how the saga of the Jews is interwoven with the story of virtually every nation on earth. This is a tale of a people escaping annihilation, fighting, falling back, advancing-a lively and fascinating look at how the Jews have contributed to humankind's spiritual and intellectual heritage in remarkable ways, and across a remarkable span of history.
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'More interesting than the facts Dimont has collected . . . is the fascinating reasoning of a bright and unorthodox mind.' San Francisco Sunday Examiner & Chronicle
'A book of life and hope. There are few greater documents to the vitality and perseverance of man than this history of the Jews.' St. Louis Post-Dispatch
From Australia
ROSS W TOWERS
3.0 out of 5 stars An interesting read
Reviewed in Australia on 2 August 2025
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Good read
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Peter Trewin
1.0 out of 5 stars Not objective
Reviewed in Australia on 16 April 2022
Format: Paperback
This book is not an objective teatment of the subject.
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From other countries
Francoyank
5.0 out of 5 stars Everyone should read this book
Reviewed in France on 12 March 2015
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
An excellent book that takes a much different perspective on Jewish history -- Dimont (a non-Jew) focuses especially on the triumphs of the Jewish people and their incomparable contributions to the history of human civilization. Dimont achieves this in a way that never becomes heavy-handed, with a lightness of style that makes it a pleasure to read.
I believe this should be required reading for everyone.
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faithgibson
5.0 out of 5 stars This is one of the best books published in the 20th century
Reviewed in the United States on 14 October 2013
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I have an original hardcopy of this book published in 1962, with my mother's name neatly penned on the inside cover. She gave it to me when I was a very young adult, and has remained a timeless treasure on my bookshelf.
Re-discovering it as a Kindle 50th anniversary edition -- with its ability to highlight passages without defacing the book AND to search the entire book for a specific reference -- was truly wonderful.
I love this book for the author's ability to put Western culture in its proper and historically accurate perspective.
The 4,000 year-old history of Judaism is the story of ideas and the intellect as the foundation for human culture. This is in sharp contrast to culture as attributed to geography, nobility or the exploits of war, in which 'might made right'. Judaism is the origin of religion in its original Latin meaning, re-ligio -- to tie [ligate or ligature] back [re] together.
The word is meant to describe the 'tie that binds us together as a human species' as differentiated from animals. The core of this ethical sentiment replaced both cannibalism and human sacrifice with an elevated consciousness that promoted social justice, individual acts of mercy and civil societies.
True "re-ligio" has nothing to do with individual sectarian groups, or the propensity of misguided people in the name of 're-ligio' to generate dogmas that splits people apart into insiders and outsiders and then declares war on the 'others'.
Personally, I am taking the word "religion" back from those who have historically abused it by using the word to camouflage or sanctify discrimination, brutality and murder, and from those in modern societies who currently abuse the term linguistically by making the idea of religion into something demeaning or offensive.
For all Western cultures, our system of ethics, jurisprudence and democratic governance came directly out of Judaism. Not to know this most fundamental history is like not knowing anything about American history before 1950 -- one would find such a debilitating state of ignorance to be intellectually crippling.
In addition to the wealth of information about our cultural origins," Jews, GOD and History" is also a beautifully written book. It provides a balanced view of the Jewish experience that praises when praiseworthy, and finds fault on those occasions when bad decisions resulted in harmful actions or bad outcomes.
Its author Max I. Dimont was himself Jewish, born in Lithuania in 1912, which was part of the Russian Empire at the time. He was raised in Finland but immigrated with his family to the US at the age of 17. He taught himself English by reading the King James version of the Old and New Testaments. This no doubt contributed to his deep understanding of Christianity, and ability to write about both religions in a non-judgmental and affectionate tone.
The author's information about Jesus and early Christianity is particularly helpful, as this new world religion was originally a sect of Judaism. At the inception of Christianity, there were three dominant Jewish sects -- the Sadduces, the Pharisees, and the Essenes. As Christians, our heritage can be traced back to the Pharisees and the Essenes.
The Sadduces were the wealthier members of Jewish society and aristocratic leaders who were religiously 'conservative' or 'literalists'. They were (no surprise!) the politically most powerful sect, responsible for running the Temple and invested in maintaining the status quo.
Sadduce priests interpreted the Pentateuch (five books of the Law) and the Prophets (i.e. "Old Testament") as a fixed document that was not to be seen as metaphoric or to be individually re-interpreted. As literalists, Sadduces did NOT believe in an afterlife. Politically, they generally 'cooperated' with the officials of the Roman occupation and were often resented by the general population.
The Pharisees represented what historians refer to as 'commoners' -- the ordinary, non-wealthy, not-politically influential population. Pharisees related to the Law and the Prophets as metaphor, so its meaning could change with changing times. This allowed Pharisees to form their own opinions and one of those creative inferences was a belief in an afterlife.
Some individual Pharisees mentioned in the New Testament were jerks. For example, tax-collecting was a low-class occupation that paid itself out of tax monies extorted from the population. It was something that elite members of the Sadduces would ever do, so all tax-collectors came from the Pharisee sect. However historically their bad reputation was not because they were Pharisees, but was based on reprehensible behavior.
In its time, the sect and category of "Pharisee" was not derogatory slur, but an ethical part of mainstream culture. Pharisees in general were the good guys -- liberal democrats as seen from today's perspective.
Based on the teachings of Jesus as presented in the New Testament, Jesus's family would have been members of the sect of Pharisees. Raised as a good Jew of the Pharisee sect, Jesus would have been literate, had a metaphoric (i.e., not literalist) relationship with the Bible of his day and believed in an after-life.
The Essences were by far the smallest and as separatists, the least politically influential of the three Jewish sects. They were the most liberal in interpretation of religious texts and most politically radical in putting these new ideas into action. This included a belief in an after-life as introduced by the Pharisees, but one they took a step farther by introducing a belief in hell and eternal damnation for the unrepentant.
At this time, the "Bible" (the Pentateuch and the Prophets) did NOT contain any reference to either Heaven or Hell as a destination for the soul after death. The Essences also believed in a divinely-sent 'messiah' that they called the "Teacher of Righteousness", who was destined to die a violent death at the hands of the "Sons of Darkness" (another non-biblical belief).
Followers of the Essences called themselves the "Elect of G*D" and believed their religious community represented a "New Covenant" (Moses having given the first covenant when he received the Ten Commandments). Those who wanted to join the Essenes were initiated through the new Jewish ritual of 'baptism' -- a symbolic washing away of the old life and beliefs, and being born a new into the New Covenant. John the Baptist was an Essene and likely associated with an ancient Essene monastery later found in that area of Galilee.
In addition, the Dead Sea Scrolls, which since 1947 have provided us with almost everything known about Essene Judaism, places the life of John the Baptist and Jesus in a new frame of reference. From these manuscripts, it is clear that Christianity as we know it today is functionally a mirror image of the Jewish sect of the Essenes.
Anyone who identifies him or herself as a Christian (which include me) belongs to a sect of Judaism, and thus is factually a Judeo-Christian. This is a very good reason to root out any lingering anti-Semitism that might besmirch the Christian branch of our shared faith.
Reading "Jews, G*D, and History" is like finding out for the first time that the US was originally an English colony and realizing that the reason we all speak English is because we are, culturally-speaking, English. In this case, Christianity is not "other" but woven out of the fabric of Judaism. Just as a child is forever the product and reflection of its parentage, Christianity will continue to be far more alike than different from its parent-religion.
As a Judeo-Christian society that wisely keeps it religion and government separate, it behooves us to be aware of our mutual beginnings and honor the many blessings that Judaism has bestowed on the Western world via its intellectual contribution of ethics, jurisprudence and democratic governance.
So don't waste any more time reading this boring book review --> just download "Jews, GOD, and History". Its what "inquiring minds" want to know!
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Lainey
5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 January 2025
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This book is well written and very worth reading. I bought another book with the same title by Major W. Ian Thomas and that is also an excellent book for understanding our true purpose as Christians. Both books written quite differently, compliment each other and together provide a broader perspective on this important subject.
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Marina Landisberg
5.0 out of 5 stars Short and engaging reading
Reviewed in Canada on 15 August 2019
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Good overview of general Jewish history, too optimistic in the end, when spoken about modern times. I do not think that Diaspora should maintained forever. It played it's role, but now when communities in Diaspora are rather vanishing, most live as isolated individuals, it can not sustain a nation, rather threatens to swallow and dissipate in assimilation
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Ralf P.
5.0 out of 5 stars Good fun
Reviewed in Germany on 21 May 2013
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If you enjoy history, it's a great book with many insights, easy to read and entertaining. Makes you think more long-term about the current Middle East and its various players. But I think the main point ends up to be that one begins to appreciate what a difference the right values make when it comes to living a successful life - values that have proven to work during all times and in many places. These universal values are an often underestimated contribution the Jewish people have made to humanity.
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nobinkumar
5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful information about the remarkable Jews.
Reviewed in India on 25 August 2018
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This is THE book for those who love history and in particular for those who marvel about Jews' tenacity and the creation of Israel. Jews have shown over the centuries their courage, tenacity to overcome insurmountable tragedies and crisis. All this has been well captured by the author, Max Dimont. The origin of Jews until the creation of Israel has been described in a very engaging manner. The description of cruelty in the hands of Nazis and the early tormentors of Jews and yet emerging from out of this as been vividly explained. This can be part of one's permanent collection.
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Kindler
5.0 out of 5 stars ユダヤ人迫害の歴史的背景を辿る本
Reviewed in Japan on 30 March 2025
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他民族と同化することなく4千年の歴史を生き延び信仰や戒律を守り続けたユダヤ民族だが、この本には、古代王国時代にアッシリア帝国に征服された(10支族からなる)イスラエル王国のユダヤ人は帝国領土内に分散移住したため他民族と同化して民族のアイデンティティを失ったが、バビロニアに征服された(2支族からなる)ユダ王国の住民は強制移住先での集住が認められユダヤ教の信仰を捨てなかったと書かれている。
ユダ王国の2支族(ユダ族とベニヤミン族)は征服されても征服者の宗教に帰依することなくユダヤ教の信仰を捨てなかったユダヤ人だが、その末裔で流浪の民となった後のユダヤ人の歴史は迫害の歴史と言っても過言ではない。時代や地域によって疎まれる理由は様々だが、この本を読めば、ユダヤ人がどの時代のどの国や地域でどのような理由で迫害を受けてきたのかがわかる。第24章の反ユダヤ主義や迫害理由の分析は非常に示唆に富む。
ユダヤ民族の人類史への多大な貢献についても詳述しており、圧倒的な情報量でこの本には私が知りたかったことがほぼ網羅されていた
ユダヤ民族の歴史や信仰や特異性などを知りたい方におすすめしたい。
なお、ユダヤ民族が全ての時代を通じて一神教(唯一神)だったわけではなく、古代の王国統治者によっては多神教だった時代もあったというのはこの本で初めて知った。また、僅か2世紀の間(BC100からAD100)のキリスト教徒化する前のギリシャやローマ市民の間にそれまではユダヤ人固有の習慣であった週1回の安息日が急速に広まり始めたというのも驚き。更にユダヤ教と深い関わりを持つイスラム教創生の歴史についても詳しい記述がある。
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Jacob Singer
5.0 out of 5 stars The truth.
Reviewed in Canada on 5 July 2016
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An excellent book on how religion throughout the world developed over the centuries. Muslim crazies and radicals should read the book and accept truth.
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Christine R. Gould
5.0 out of 5 stars A complete history of the formation of the heart of Israel.
Reviewed in the United States on 11 June 2013
Format: Mass Market PaperbackVerified Purchase
I absolutely love this book! There is SOOO much information to learn and it all works together to help the reader understand the mind and heart of the Jewish people. I have never been an anti- Semite, but I confess, as a Christian I always wondered why they exchanged the Old Testament for their "interpretations". I now know why...this book explains so much. It really helps me see them as my brother, not yet knowing their Messiah, but nonetheless my brother. This writer does not give any religious opinion except to doubt that the Biblical accounts of Moses and the first five books are true, which I must admit almost prevented me from continuing on, but the rest of the book is well worth the effort. What a masterpiece! And thank you for informing me that more Christians were killed than Jews by Hitler....although I doubt you on this .All the websites I have researched have indeed stated that 6 million Jews were killed. In my opinion it was more than likely much more than that because many were simply thrown in a ditch or shot on sight. I do not think the Germans took records of the many that they shot and dumped in huge ditches. And I was glad to read him state that the refugee problem in Palestine was created and continued by the Muslims. Israel kicked nobody out of their country. Thank you Mr. Dimont for a fabulous read and a reference book for my Bible classes.
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A. Dhanjal
5.0 out of 5 stars The Gifts of the Jews
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 May 2009
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The Gifts of the Jews: How a Tribe of Desert Nomads Changed the Way Everyone Thinks and Feels (Hinges of History)
I have just read only one third of the book, Thomas Cahill's research into the life of the Sumerian and Babylonian cultural is an eye opener, and in depth background of the Jewish history. One thing which I admire of his approach to remain independent in his writings. I shall write more when I finish the book.
I thought add few more lines, this book had given me real insight into the Jews history and into their psyche, which makes it a great book. One need to read a nation's history to understand its way of thinking.
I admire the honesty and sincerity of the author.
Avtarjeet Dhanjal
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hariharan
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
Reviewed in India on 25 August 2021
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A very informative book written after lots and lots of research
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Bobbi
4.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting
Reviewed in the United States on 15 September 2013
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I have learned so much about the history of religion. The time lines were very helpful. However, I found the vocabulary difficult at times. I have a university education and believe I should have been able to understand every word without referring to a dictionary. I am not sure why the author searched for difficult words but it makes the book less enjoyable to read. I have it on Kindle and have a hard time zooming in on the time lines to be able to read the small print.
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Sukhvir singh
4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book
Reviewed in India on 24 February 2023
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Excellent book to know about Jews
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ian
4.0 out of 5 stars Can recommend
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 May 2016
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Very good read.
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r iruthayaraj
5.0 out of 5 stars WONDERFULL BOOK. LUCID EXPLANATION.
Reviewed in India on 15 July 2015
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WONDERFULL BOOK.LUCID EXPLANATION.
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M. Kalisher
5.0 out of 5 stars It's like looking at a large beautifully painted mural
Reviewed in the United States on 28 January 2015
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I finally found time to read this book which I bought more than a year ago. Now I also read some of the reviews. I think many of the people who reviewed it poorly are historical perfectionists. History, especially about the earliest time periods, can be interpreted in many ways. Many events and "facts" are missing or not clear. This book provides a broad and unique perspective on 5000 years of history in a very readable and understandable and interesting manner. It's like looking at a large beautifully painted mural. Some details may be imperfect but the entire view is extraordinary.
I am not a frequent reader of books. But I could not wait to continue reading this book when I put it down to rest. The authors views provide a new understanding of the difficult history of the Jewish experience. Many of the critics "do not see the forest for the trees".
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Kamrul Alom
5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely thrilling book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 January 2021
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Absolutely thrilling book which gives a great overview of hebrew/israelite history. If you read history in your spare time, are a politics or history student or just want a good factual read, it is brilliant!!!
Summarises key events, gives perspective and context to bigger reads like Josephus or the bible, and is truly well written. Highly recommended. It covers a few thousand years in a smart yet concise way. Accessible, simply well written and engaging.
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Caleb Fishman
5.0 out of 5 stars Dimonts "Jews, God, and HIstory" superb
Reviewed in the United States on 5 May 2014
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Amazon.com delivered efficient service as promised. Hurrah!
Read 1962 version in the late 1960s at the suggestion of my grandfather, a man ahead of his times.
Dimont is informative, irreverent and very witty. He provides a number of perspectives to explain events and beliefs.
For example, maybe Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Mohammed et al actually experienced messages from a Supreme Being;
on the other hand maybe they projected their own beliefs, aspirations... onto an imagined deity. Then again, maybe they
all were delusional and required psychiatric treatment. Whatever the case, their long-lasting influence on history is undeniable.
Example of Dimont's wit: The Babylonians, after destroying Jerusalem, carried all inhabitants except the poor, the crippled, and the young into captivity. ... Three years later, the poor, the crippled, and the young assassinated the Babylonian governor and slew the garrison. [a paraphrase] Gets the reader's attention, doesn't it?
I had to buy the later edition because I've lent my original to another eager reader.
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M. Ronald Sitlhou
5.0 out of 5 stars 👍
Reviewed in India on 30 March 2019
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Bought for mom, she loves it!
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Finian Heavey
5.0 out of 5 stars Some books like Cheese improve with age
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 29 January 2013
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I first read this book as a University comparitive religion set book back in the 1970s. Recently I saw it was on Kindle and deceided to re-read it again. It's very pithy, direct and very American Jewish. It is full of intesting comments on the study of History, What it means to be Jewish, and the interesting contribution the Jews have made to Civilisation. I am non-Jewish, but I think we should all be aware of what this book has to tell us. It is just as important now as when it was written 50 + years ago.
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K.Rajashekarreddy
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in India on 3 August 2017
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Great book at great price prompt service by amazon
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Dennis
5.0 out of 5 stars Jews, God and History Max I Dimont
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 June 2013
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Always wondering why the Jews have been persecuted throughout history I purchased the kindle edition of this book and found it to be very informative, well written and a really good read. I would recommend it to anyone with any interest in this topic irrespective of their own religious persuasion.
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D
5.0 out of 5 stars Best book I've ever read on the topic
Reviewed in the United States on 27 June 2018
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Best book I've ever read on the topic. Exploring Judaism from its source and development through history to modern times. Confronted by challenges of history be they ancient conquerors of the land, dispersion through the centuries, hidden observance, numerous attempts at genocide; the Jewish people persevered and flourished due to their innate desire to survive. This survival instinct led to the remarkable ability to adapt to their circumstances through space and time. This is not a religious treatise. It is the story of change and cultural adaptability for survival.
I have bought many copies of this book and given it to others to read. In my 60s I have read it several times. The author, Dimont, has done a magnificent job.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Very good overview and summary of the Jewish history as a people.
Reviewed in the United States on 20 June 2023
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This is a good reading for people who want to get an overview of how the Jewish people travelled history--what kept them together, what made them grow and evolve as a distinct people.
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Joao Correia
5.0 out of 5 stars A most amazing book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 31 December 2012
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I strongly recommend this book as a starting place for someone that want to learn more about Jewish history. It is extremely well organized, written in a very appealing prose that keeps one hooked to the text. It avoids the common places, always trying to put all the facts in to the proper historical context.
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Yenok Prabu N
2.0 out of 5 stars Complicated
Reviewed in India on 17 August 2024
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I don't expect this content. I think I am not mature enough to understand the concept. This book is not come under religious aspect
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John O D
5.0 out of 5 stars Title says it all
Reviewed in the United States on 5 October 2022
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The Jews are the oldest longest-surviving human construct on the planet and they are so not because of states cities monuments inventions cures wars literature finance art intelligence compassion wisdom nor all else but because ultimately they are the most successful of all man's ideas. So Someone must be looking after them despite discouraging indications to the contrary at least toda ha'Shem they nowadays at least know how to look after themselves despite ongoing attempts everywhere all the time by others to try and kill them. Oy G-d! Vey!
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MrPai
2.0 out of 5 stars Bought it out of curiosity and for the price. ...
Reviewed in India on 14 July 2016
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Bought it out of curiosity and for the price. But if you are looking for a history of the Jewish religion written from a Christian/Biblical perspective, this is not the book. Unless, of course, you have scholarly interests in the subject.
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Rayj
3.0 out of 5 stars Sadly less balanced than it should be!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 March 2014
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I bought this mistakenly thinking that it would be a detailed and balanced assessment of the contribution that Jews have brought to world history. At one level it works - there are many genuine nuggets of real interest and insight to be unearthed between its pages. Unfortunately there is more than a little dross and a far from subtle bias with more than a few incredulous liberties taken with real history to try to support claims that just do not work. Overall a bit of a disappointment - the three stars are for the nugggets alone.
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P. Timmerman
1.0 out of 5 stars Outdated, Sloppy, Insufferable
Reviewed in the United States on 26 March 2020
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Outdated
Dimont often states as settled fact historical theories that were in their heyday while he was writing, but have since been reconsidered in light of new evidence and scholarship. For example, he baldly states that the duality that runs through the Pentateuch (two gods, Yahweh and Elohim; two Jewish people, Hebrews and Israelites; two Moseses, Egyptian and Midianite) is the result of the redaction and compilation of the Yahwist, Elohist, Yahwist-Elohist, and Priestly sources into the canonical Torah under King Josiah and later Ezra and Nehemiah. He just as baldly affirms that this redaction was a deliberate political maneuver, and that Josiah and Ezra adopted the conceit of “discovering” the books of Moses as a tactic to ensure their acceptance and effect the unification of the Jewish people. His confidence in the “documentary hypothesis” (that the Torah resulted from the combination of earlier separate sources by later redactors) reflects 20th Century scholarly consensus, but is misleading in light of more recent scholarship indicating that the process of the compilation of the Torah was more complicated.
Sloppy
Furthermore, his political interpretation of the “rediscovery” of the books of Moses goes unsupported. Rather, here as elsewhere, he asserts that “irrespective of which explanation one accepts, the events took place, and these events shaped history.” But the explanations themselves involve contradictory versions of events. If we accept the explanation that Josiah and Ezra did rediscover the books of Moses in the Temple, then the events Dimont narrates did not take place.
This illustrates a larger weakness of the work, which is Dimont’s confusion of a neutral historical view point with his own historical thesis, which he pursues from a non-neutral secular perspective. The thesis is, more or less, that the Jews, in and of themselves, are the most incredible people on earth. But first, regarding his non-neutral secular perspective: although he nods to the viability of historical interpretations which accept the supernatural, he fails to engage with them at all, apparently assuming their falsity. For example, he makes no argument on historical grounds that Abraham did not receive revelation from God; rather in response to the question “Did this really happen?” He responds “We say it could have happened, but in a slightly different way. If we view this encounter through the lens of modern psychoanalysis, it might become understandable in modern terms.” He proceeds to suggest that Yahweh and his promise to make of Abraham a great nation was a psychological projection of Abraham, reflecting his concern for his progeny.
This leads directly to Dimont’s confusion of a neutral historical viewpoint with his own historical thesis. He concludes: “From a historical viewpoint, it makes no difference whether it was Abraham who projected this experience onto an imaginary Jehovah or a real Jehovah who proposed it to Abraham. The fact remains that after four thousand years the idea of a covenant between the Jews and Jehovah is still alive and mentioned daily in prayers in synagogues throughout the world.” This fact that remains is an illustration of precisely what Dimont sets out to prove: the greatness of the Jews, attributable in particular to their ideas. It is not a historical fact, in the sense of a datum, it is an interpretation marshalled in support of a conclusion. From a historical viewpoint it makes a great deal of difference whether Abraham projected “Jehovah” or “Jehovah” actually spoke to Abraham, because these constitute distinct historical events. It is only from Dimont’s viewpoint that it makes no difference.
Insufferable
I chose this history largely on the testimony of readers and reviewers that it was well and entertainingly written. It is neither. Besides being rife with elementary grammatical errors (e.g. “The bloody business of massacre and countermassacre succeeded one another with unrelenting horror.” Subject: “bloody business,” predicate: “succeeded one another”), stylistically the book adopts the voice of a stereotypical zany uncle. Jezebel is “the archbitch of history,” the Hasmonean concord with the Romans is illustrated by the limerick about the “young lady of Niger,” etc. Moreover, pages of space are wasted expounding popular theoretical views of history (Marx, Toynbee, Spengler) and making shallow comparisons to more recent European and American history (“Tiglath-Pileser III, the Bismarck of his time . . . “). This space would have been put to better use discussing the historical evidence underlying Dimont’s claims. All this is not to mention his frequent and unsupported assertions attributing every institution of modern Western society directly to the ancient Israelites (democracy, rule of law, etc.) He might be right, but he makes no case for himself, and the frequency and stridency with which he states the theme “all that is good is Jewish” makes one rather suspicious than convinced.
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E. Guttman
3.0 out of 5 stars Great read with some historic mistakes
Reviewed in the United States on 23 December 2018
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I love the writing style and find this a hard book to put down. With a span of over four thousand years I think it is ok to have a few mistakes here and there. This is a "popular book" after all. I also love the challenge to conventional theory on who was who -- Moses for example. There are alternate interpretations of history. Especially early history when few writings have survived intact. One of the mistakes I would challenge is regarding Josephus - in my other readings it was he who was freed from slavery by Vespasian. Another mention I reject is the Poles using cavalry against the German armor during the invasion. This has been rejected as fact many times and was just picked up by the author as a matter of "fact". It was in fact perpetuated by Nazi propaganda to portray the Poles as stupid. Otherwise I find this an interesting and thought provoking book. I did not find the authors qualifications or background anywhere in my paperback. I would have liked to have seen it.
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John Harpur
4.0 out of 5 stars Good reading with forceful message
Reviewed in the United States on 18 December 2006
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This is a good (entertaining in parts) history. It is a passionate book. However, it was first published in 1962 and it hasn't aged well in the company of modern Jewish historiography. Dimont tends to make connections between events and draw inferences which, in the absence of footnotes, sometimes appear as almost wild generalisations. Often he pounces on one or two people or events as encompassing a totality of explanations for hisotrical trends. For example, the influence of Alfred Rosenberg on the Nazis is undoubtedly exaggerated in the book. The book lacks the socio-political sophistication of modern works but, allowing for the cold war context after WWII, it is still worth reading with some reservations.
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J. Cortijo
1.0 out of 5 stars Poorly documented, possible disinformation
Reviewed in the United States on 6 September 2009
Format: Mass Market PaperbackVerified Purchase
Mr. Dimont does not apparently have any academic credentials, and his book shows it. While it is true, as another reviewer mentioned, that Dimont includes an extensive bibliography, Dimont does not provide footnotes, endnotes, or even informal mention of sources within his text to signal the sources of his claims. As a college English teacher, if one of my students handed in a paper written this way, it would fail. It's unclear which sources provide which information and which "facts" have been merely invented. This is unethical writing, bordering on academic dishonesty. Dimont frequently supports his points by referencing "scholars" or "archeological evidence," yet never reveals which scholars, in which texts, nor quotes directly, nor does he say what archeological evidence, found by whom, working for what institution. Shabby work. I confess that I am writing this review after only having read to page 37 of this book. While I rarely judge a book on so few pages, I feel obligated to review this book on this evidence, since I feel so misled by the many of posted reviews. To read further would subject me to the danger that I may remember some of Dimont's questionable "facts" and accept them for truth. I am so concerned about the potential for misinformation and disinformation in this book that I do not even feel comfortable reselling this book, as I often do with books I will not reread, since a less critical reader might take this for accurate history. I will be seeking out a book on Jewish history that adheres to standards of scholarship, and I recommend you do the same.
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Stuart
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book on Jewish history
Reviewed in the United States on 29 January 2024
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Well written. Book was originally published in 1962 and has been updated. Worth reading to learn of the plight of the Jewish people.
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Phrehdd
4.0 out of 5 stars A good read for those wanting to understand and learn about ...
Reviewed in the United States on 11 June 2016
Format: Mass Market PaperbackVerified Purchase
A good read for those wanting to understand and learn about the Jewish people and their presence throughout history. While I applaud the approach taken, I will suggest that readers understand he also inserts his own thoughts within. The latter is easily recognizable so the readers may draw one's their own conclusion. This books is a "for everyeone" read. I would have given 5 stars but because it is a single book, it must gloss over some areas which more information would be required to gain a fuller understanding.
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Shaz-43
4.0 out of 5 stars This is a must read for anyone truly interested in ...
Reviewed in the United States on 5 February 2016
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
This is a must read for anyone truly interested in Israel's image in today's world. It is a no punches barred look at Jews, Arabs, Germans, Europeans and the international media on the politics and lifestyle of Israel and the Israelis. It is also entertaining, ironic, clever and thought provoking. I did not expect to read more than one chapter and could not put it down. I read it at every opportunity and was held in it's grip until the bitter end.
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David Edwards
2.0 out of 5 stars Inconsistent scholarship
Reviewed in the United States on 29 April 2013
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
The author cites much of the critical scholarship on ancient history but does not always make it clear when he switches contexts between scholarly research and a less critical reading of history.
In addition, there are a number of spurious and unsubstantiated claims. For example, he states "[the Jews] established the first democracy in the world, four hundred years before the Greeks." There is no support given, and it is difficult to imagine the stretch of the biblical record that could be construed as democracy in the 8th or 9th century BCE.
The biggest problem, though, is the basic premise that there is something about Jewish people that is different from other people. He seems to have a positive opinion, but nevertheless seems to think of them as fundamentally "other." It would be an interesting study to look into the sociological causes that have allowed Jews to maintain a cultural identity in so many different places around the world for so many centuries, but this is not it.
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Eric S
5.0 out of 5 stars A Timeless Classic
Reviewed in the United States on 7 March 2014
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"Jews God And History" is a well known and well-deserved classic written by one of the top experts in the subject matter. It is a thoroughly researched book written for academic and layman alike tracing the Jewish people from ancient Biblical times to the modern day. Dimont demonstrates how the Biblical aspect is continually interwoven with the Jews as a people and a nation. I've been wanting to buy this title for a long time (together with Warner Keller's "The Bible As History) and I'm pleased to finally have them both.
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RDS Andover, Massachusetts
4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent and Concise Jewish History
Reviewed in the United States on 20 October 2009
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Jews, God and History is a significant accomplishment, because it's a well-written, interesting and historically researched survey of 5000 years of history. Max Dimont wrote original in early 1960s, this edition is updated by his wife and daughter, filling in the more recent years of Mideast tensions and bringing the reader up to about the beginning of the 20th Century. The themes of Jewish resiliency and survival will make Jewish readers proud and reflective about our heritage. Strongly recommended.
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David Fishman
3.0 out of 5 stars God history and the Jews
Reviewed in the United States on 8 April 2014
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
Perhaps the title should be "history God and the Jews"? For without history nothing else would have followed.
Of all the history books about the Jews , this is the most analytical, sensible cogent and pursuesive.
It takes a lot of insight logic and intellectual bravado to explain Jewish history , Jewish philosophy, Jewish culture, which shaped its unique performance and continues to guide it till today.
I highly recommend it to a reader willing to persevere through its lengthy tale of events which leads to the final conclusion, the survival of the Jews till today.
David Fishman NY April 2014
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WednesdayBeagle
5.0 out of 5 stars Tells an Amazing (yet fair) story
Reviewed in the United States on 9 August 2021
Format: Mass Market PaperbackVerified Purchase
For those who are not overly familiar with the Old Testament, this is a great history of the Jewish religion, which is not afraid to tell both the Bible story and the likely real-world story with equal emphasis. A great read that explains a lot.
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Melek
4.0 out of 5 stars Skewered History
Reviewed in the United States on 28 February 2012
Format: Mass Market PaperbackVerified Purchase
The auther (not Max Dimont) referes to the Land of Canaan as "Palestine" from the time of Abraham. Any true historian knows that the Land was not ever refered to by this name. The Romans renamed Jerusalem, and only Jerusalem, Palestinia Capitolinia. It was the Arabs who recently named the area "Palestine." As I read on I am wondering how many other things she has changed from the original,which I have.
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nathanael_james
1.0 out of 5 stars ridiculous, unsupported, and wildly inaccurate
Reviewed in the United States on 4 July 2011
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As if Dimont's own ideas weren't ridiculous enough, he calls on every obscure theory he can find from every incredible source one could hope to come across, including such notable historians as Sigmund Freud. Dimont makes drastic claims without so much as an explanation or footnote. Moses was a reject Egyptian priest of a pagan god until he led the Israelites out of Egypt on the condition that they followed his monotheist religion? The book of Deuteronomy was a forgery by King Josiah in a conscious effort to create an "exportable Jehovah" in light of the impending Babylonian exile? The prophets were a counter-temple movement? "The Hebrews" and "The Israelites" refer to two separate people groups? The theocracy established at Sinai was the beginning of the concept of separation of church and state? Really? If you want incredible theories, this is the book for you. If you want genuine, historical insight into Jewish history of the patriarchs to the first and second temple periods, look for it in the Tanakh, the Apocrypha, and the New Testament. Presenting every wild theory on equal grounds hardly counts as a genuine account of history.
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haheck
5.0 out of 5 stars A SWEEPING AND DETAILED EXEGESIS
Reviewed in the United States on 28 July 2018
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
As an afficionado of ancient and medieval history, I found this book as comprehensive and enlightening as could possibly be expected, given the vast subject matter. It is a surprisingly easy read despite its length, and highly recommended for those interested in an overview of the history of civilized man, notwithstanding its emphasis on the Jewish saga
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Anna Moran
5.0 out of 5 stars Great updated edition
Reviewed in the United States on 2 January 2013
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
2nd or 3rd time reading this and I love the additional content. Like the critics say, it's so well-researched, erudite, yet comprehensible and excellent narrative style. Facts are easy to follow and absorb b/c of clarity and analysis. Also learned so much. Have tried reading other works to understand today's conflict in Middle East, but just keep coming back to Max Dimont to help understand the history - both course of events and context - in an enjoyable way.
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Ronald P. Campisi
5.0 out of 5 stars MY REVIEW "JEWS, GOD & HISTORY"
Reviewed in the United States on 5 September 2013
Format: Mass Market PaperbackVerified Purchase
It was beautifully and intelligently written. I learned so much historically and socially, and religiously about the Jewish people.
As a Christian it was most important for me to know. The only place Mr. Dimont slipped is when he spoke of the Christians. A basic unfairness for the first time was displayed. However, I have come to expect that. Looking at his sources of information, conspicuously missing was the Bible. That being said, a Great book.
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Dr. Golab
5.0 out of 5 stars A book about History
Reviewed in the United States on 12 October 2010
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The history reviewed begs on question Why? For some the answer is the Jews are the Chosen People; but through his analysis Dimond responded that the answer is simply a question. That is correct, The never ending questioning brings evolution, so doesn't matter what happened or when it happened Jews always questioned everything thus they we and are naturally at the forefront, together with other people that question things.
Brilliant reading for history buffs and questioning people.
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laraine
5.0 out of 5 stars AMAZING
Reviewed in the United States on 28 September 2013
Format: Mass Market PaperbackVerified Purchase
This book is a giant surprise. Ir you are Jewish
it is amazing if you are not, you will get a history
lesson that was not taught in school. The Jews have
been around at every major event throughout history
and Contributed to the events or made them happen
for a people that make up less than one percent
of the population its amazing they are still here.
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Linda Mehring
5.0 out of 5 stars Well researched & great writing
Reviewed in the United States on 23 July 2020
Format: Mass Market PaperbackVerified Purchase
Although it is non fiction, it reads as both a novel & as a historical narrative. Can be enjoyed by Jews or by non Jews as well, since it has information regarding Christianity & Islam.
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Ellie unt
5.0 out of 5 stars This is the best historical report of the Jewish culture from the beginning to the 90s
Reviewed in the United States on 6 November 2016
Format: Mass Market PaperbackVerified Purchase
The most informative book on Judaism I've ever read. Besides an absolutely brilliant history of the Jews, it follows the timeline of other civilizations, giving us further history. I've given and recommended this book to a lot of people. Some of them even read it! It's a wonderful genealogy of the Jews over time; why they have such a rich, expansive culture.
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mikefeldman
4.0 out of 5 stars Jews God & History
Reviewed in the United States on 10 September 2013
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
The book is most informative but reads too much like a text book & needs much reread.
I guess as a history volume it must be so. I just ordered a sample of Dimont's
other book & it sounds like more of the same.
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Rhonda Marie Torreson
5.0 out of 5 stars Even better than advertised!
Reviewed in the United States on 16 February 2022
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
The book arrived early, was packaged incredibly carefully, and was in really, really great shape. I couldn’t be happier!✨
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Paulo A. Reimann
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome
Reviewed in the United States on 14 September 2020
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
Awesome book. Wonderful book. With a fundamentally historical perspective, it explores religious nuances. Delicious to read and awakens even more the pride of being a Jew.
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A. C.
3.0 out of 5 stars Good info but boring!
Reviewed in the United States on 29 April 2021
Format: Mass Market PaperbackVerified Purchase
This book has lots of good info but it’s very boring. If I didn’t need it for a class I wouldn’t have spent the money.
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robert j. glodowski
3.0 out of 5 stars I was disappointed. Instead as I read a brochure on Judaism ...
Reviewed in the United States on 26 August 2015
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
I was anxious to find history as few other main topics could contain. I was disappointed. Instead as I read a brochure on Judaism
I found history to be secondary & it became boring & I turned it off.I am not anti-Semitic I am not anti anything. But I love history
& this one didn't make it
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Denise Lorraine
5.0 out of 5 stars I learned an incredible amount from this book.
Reviewed in the United States on 29 May 2015
Format: Mass Market PaperbackVerified Purchase
This is an amazing book! The extent of historical coverage is quite thorough and the point of view is objective. I bought this copy to add to my permanent library after reading an old worn out one. The questions above don't apply very well since this is a history book. Highly recommend.
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Amazon Customer
1.0 out of 5 stars Propaganda book
Reviewed in the United States on 18 October 2024
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
I purchased this book hoping to read a critical review of Jewish history with its good and bad, it was a big disappointment. The book is full of propaganda/apologetic stories, statements, interpretations with no real historical work
If you decide to read this book you will need to read history from respectable resources first
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Joseph Henning
4.0 out of 5 stars Lots of history woven in
Reviewed in the United States on 2 October 2020
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Lots of history throughout
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Bill E.
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Reference Book
Reviewed in the United States on 12 November 2015
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
This is non fiction, but it reads like a novel. Max I Dimont has a very good and very well written book on the Jewish people. I purchased the hard cover some 15 years ago. I thought it would be nice to also have the Kindle edition. Great reference book.
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B. Sutton
4.0 out of 5 stars Better than I expected
Reviewed in the United States on 12 June 2013
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Being as I am not a historian, I do not feel qualitifed to give it the best rating. It is very readable and interesting. I am glad that I purchased it.
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Real Law
5.0 out of 5 stars This is actually a brilliant, thorough
Reviewed in the United States on 19 January 2016
Format: Mass Market PaperbackVerified Purchase
Are you kidding, Amazon? Do you understand this is a history book? How do you think I would describe the plot and the characters? Gee, realistic. This is actually a brilliant, thorough, well written history book. Too bad your questions make no sense.
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prometheus
5.0 out of 5 stars great book
Reviewed in the United States on 28 March 2013
Format: Mass Market PaperbackVerified Purchase
this is a contender for the "if i could only have one book on subject x, what would it be." it gives a great history of judaism, comprehensive and thoughtful. i took a class taught by an orthodox and reform rabbi. both recommended this book to read before beginning the class.
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T. Stanley
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
Reviewed in the United States on 5 January 2014
Format: Mass Market PaperbackVerified Purchase
Superb book. If you want a good history of the Jewish survival, this is great. Could be a bit more organized if there were maps and horizontal time lines added. However, i am reading it now for a second run, and it is worth it.
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T. Hickle
4.0 out of 5 stars A Magnificent Historical Account of the Jewish People
Reviewed in the United States on 1 April 2014
Format: Mass Market PaperbackVerified Purchase
Every page is fact filled and intriguing! A fascinating read and an eye opener into the Jews' influence upon the world!
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Jerome Yahna
5.0 out of 5 stars I cannot review the other books because I will not ...
Reviewed in the United States on 9 January 2015
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
I cannot review the other books because I will not be at home to receive them. They have been delivered to my house but I will not be returning until early February and will review the balance at that time.
Thank you,
Jerome Yahna
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Jim
4.0 out of 5 stars Things you don't learn in Catholic Education which would have brought religious education to life and reality
Reviewed in the United States on 22 July 2013
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
The review of History is most interesting, I look forward finishing the Jew,God and History by Max I. Dimont 50th Anniversary edition.
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Dr. Gary A. Miller
4.0 out of 5 stars Informative easy to read.
Reviewed in the United States on 13 May 2013
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
History through the beginig of the diasora is excellent. The more modern histoy is too interprtive, and its bias now seems dated.
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Thomas H. Greco
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, but...
Reviewed in the United States on 29 August 2012
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
This book tells an interesting story, but does not seem to be a rigorous historical account. In many areas it is speculative and presumptive.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Eexeptiona book
Reviewed in the United States on 7 May 2017
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
This reading will give you the big picture of how our society in the west formed beyond jews. A step by step comparison of social / cultural and religious evolution from 2000 B.C. to modern days
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars brilliantly written and enjoyable to read
Reviewed in the United States on 6 April 2018
Format: Mass Market PaperbackVerified Purchase
This is an update to a book originally published about 40 years ago. It is a scholarly secular history of the Jewish people, brilliantly written and enjoyable to read.
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Diana B. Koch
5.0 out of 5 stars An important book, rich in information, and powerful impact on anyone who reads it
Reviewed in the United States on 19 October 2014
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
Well written, almost lyrical in language, a must read for anyone interested in understanding the integration of Jewish history with world history I think it would be astounding to non-practicing Jews with equal impact of respect and pride for remarkable,achievements,
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joe gerant
5.0 out of 5 stars Reading
Reviewed in the United States on 16 March 2021
Format: Mass Market PaperbackVerified Purchase
Love Dimont books. Helping turn my son into a reader.
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everprime25
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in the United States on 28 October 2015
Format: Mass Market PaperbackVerified Purchase
enjoyed and share amount family and friends.
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Rockwall
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in the United States on 24 August 2016
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
as advertised
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art
5.0 out of 5 stars excellent condition, arrived on time
Reviewed in the United States on 30 July 2021
Format: Mass Market PaperbackVerified Purchase
excellent condition, arrived on time
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Glenn Tetterton-Opheim
5.0 out of 5 stars Mr. Dimont mixes history and humor. While there ...
Reviewed in the United States on 25 October 2016
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Mr. Dimont mixes history and humor. While there are many serious points in Jewish history, Dimont finds humor in much of it. This is a delightful view of history.
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Matthew Hindin
5.0 out of 5 stars The best single volume Jewish history book
Reviewed in the United States on 19 September 2018
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
Jews, God and History is the best single volume Jewish history book. It is easy to read, funny and well-written, a must-read!
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Jane Stoehr
5.0 out of 5 stars A superb book
Reviewed in the United States on 19 October 2012
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
Max Dimont's book remains one of the most inclusive, inspiring, informative books on the rich history of the Jewish religion and culture. It reads like a terrific novel -- nothing dry or "textbook" about it. A masterful writing job and a great read!
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Lotte
5.0 out of 5 stars An Eye-Opener
Reviewed in the United States on 13 October 2000
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While many people do not understand the history of the Diaspora, this book is a great eye-opener. No wonder it got such great reviews. Though it is obvious (from a few reviews here) that non-Jews don't like to hear good things about the Jewish People, or unfavorable things about their own history, especially from Jews, it is none-the-less a terrific synopsis of the Jewish people. To the reviewer who, after one chapter, decided the book wasn't any good, it is she who missed out. Too bad.
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H Gary Corless
5.0 out of 5 stars Best book on the subject I have ever read
Reviewed in the United States on 24 April 2013
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
This book should appeal to everyone interested in the history of the Jews; Jews, Christians, non-religious. The book is very objective and reads easily. I have read it completely twice, and refer to it often.
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Mac Norris
5.0 out of 5 stars Good history for all Faith's to read.
Reviewed in the United States on 16 May 2019
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
Great history for everyone. So much content. Wish I was smart enough to rember it all.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Good resource
Reviewed in the United States on 30 December 2016
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
An excellent resource from another perspective. First read it more than 20 years ago in paperback Wanted to have it in my library.
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Jill Klapper,Jill Klapper,Jill Klapper,Jill Klappe
5.0 out of 5 stars Jews God and History is a must read
Reviewed in the United States on 7 September 2013
Format: Mass Market PaperbackVerified Purchase
I have recommended this book many times. I have loaned it out too many times . I think this is the 5th time I have had to purchase this book so I have a copy
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Mari M. Forquer
3.0 out of 5 stars book: Jews, God, and History
Reviewed in the United States on 24 August 2011
Format: Mass Market PaperbackVerified Purchase
paperback of "Jews, God, and History," by Max I. Dimont, is in too tiny a point type. Any chance to get this book in large print?
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Nina Golub
3.0 out of 5 stars Learned much about rhe early history of Hewish people
Reviewed in the United States on 28 June 2018
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
Difficult for me to follow
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Toby
5.0 out of 5 stars Problem solved.
Reviewed in the United States on 2 September 2013
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
I was so happy to find the hard cover book for my husband, he has worn out 4 paperbacks.. One of the best books written about history and the people of the time.
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P. Lazarus
5.0 out of 5 stars Must have/read book.
Reviewed in the United States on 27 June 2013
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All of Jewish history in one highly readable, (almost like a novel) book. I give this book as a gift to those who
are curious, but know nothing about Judaism and it's history.
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Theodore K. Tobias
5.0 out of 5 stars Jewish Survival & contributions in History.
Reviewed in the United States on 19 January 2014
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
Wonderful review of Jewish History with its contribution and adaptation in World History. A good discussion of how and why Jewish life and religion changed to survive in a hostile world.
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George H.
5.0 out of 5 stars great book!
Reviewed in the United States on 4 May 2017
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
very good so far. Well written, in the true Jewish "this probably happened, but who really knows?" when necessary.
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Peyton Carmichael
5.0 out of 5 stars ... complex world into which Christianity came This is an excellent book.
Reviewed in the United States on 9 April 2015
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
I am especially interested in the Essenes and this book reinforced my understanding of the complex world into which Christianity came This is an excellent book.
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Allan Cohen
5.0 out of 5 stars Must read for CHRISTIANS...
Reviewed in the United States on 1 January 2015
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
The book that everyone should read. For a full understanding of Jewish History and how the world was shaped by this history. Informative and a good read...
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Pat
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing
Reviewed in the United States on 14 July 2020
Format: Mass Market PaperbackVerified Purchase
It is good
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jill
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book.
Reviewed in the United States on 18 August 2014
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
Very rich history of the Western and Mediterranean world, not just Jews. Sociological history, about people and communities, not just leaders, battles, etc. Excellent book.
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Richard Ehlke
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on 30 April 2015
Format: Mass Market PaperbackVerified Purchase
This an acclaimed history of the Jews. It has gone through many new editions and printings. It is still an outstanding history.
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Jerry Jones
5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding work!
Reviewed in the United States on 22 March 2015
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Very good book. I had it many years ago and lost it. There's an incredible amount of information available in this book.
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Albert Shashoua
5.0 out of 5 stars a must read for the uncommon history that is in this book
Reviewed in the United States on 10 February 2014
Format: Mass Market PaperbackVerified Purchase
a must read for the uncommon history that is in this detailed book for the layperson, no wonder it took 10 years to gather the relevant information.
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Richard Mendez Jr
5.0 out of 5 stars very good read
Reviewed in the United States on 25 October 2015
Format: Mass Market PaperbackVerified Purchase
I've read this book a few times and bought it at least 3 times. This book is mind blowing and unbelievable.
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Brad
2.0 out of 5 stars Great book but it’s all beat up
Reviewed in the United States on 30 September 2018
Format: Mass Market PaperbackVerified Purchase
I dislike the fact that I buy a new book and it comes all torn up and
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세진님, 요청하신 맥스 다이몬트의 <유대인, 신 그리고 역사 (Jews, God & History)>에 대한 요약과 평론입니다. 이 텍스트는 요청하신 대로 <해라> 체를 사용하여 작성했습니다.
<유대인, 신 그리고 역사> 요약 및 평론
1. 요약: 4,000년의 생존 드라마
맥스 다이몬트의 <유대인, 신 그리고 역사>는 단순한 종교사나 민족사를 넘어, 유대인이 어떻게 4,000년이라는 시간 동안 멸절되지 않고 살아남아 인류 문명에 결정적인 영향을 끼쳤는지 추적하는 거대한 서사시다. 저자는 유대인의 역사를 크게 여섯 시기(성서 시대, 이교도 시대, 기독교 시대, 이슬람 시대, 근대, 그리고 현대)로 나누어 분석한다.
성서 시대와 유일신 사상의 탄생 유대 역사의 출발점은 아브라함과 모세다. 다이몬트는 이 시기를 유대인의 정신적 골격이 형성된 때로 본다. 특히 모세에 의해 확립된 유일신 사상과 율법은 유대인을 다른 고대 민족과 차별화하는 결정적 요소가 되었다. 영토가 없어도 <법(토라)>만 있다면 민족의 정체성을 유지할 수 있다는 유대교 특유의 추상적 생존 방식이 이때 정립된다.
디아스포라와 지적 생존 로마에 의해 예루살렘 성전이 파괴된 후, 유대인은 전 세계로 흩어지는 디아스포라를 겪는다. 보통의 민족이라면 이 과정에서 동화되어 사라졌겠지만, 유대인은 오히려 <책(탈무드)>을 성전 삼아 지적 공동체를 구축했다. 저자는 유대인이 박해 속에서도 상업, 금융, 철학, 과학 분야에서 두각을 나타낼 수 있었던 이유를 그들의 높은 문해율과 끊임없는 해석의 전통에서 찾는다.
이슬람과 기독교 세계 속의 유대인 중세 스페인의 이슬람 황금기 동안 유대인은 아랍 문명과 유럽을 잇는 가교 역할을 하며 철학과 과학의 꽃을 피웠다. 반면, 기독교 유럽에서는 게토에 갇히고 십자군 전쟁과 종교재판의 희생양이 되기도 했다. 다이몬트는 이러한 고난의 역사가 오히려 유대인의 내부 결속을 다지고, 외부 세계에 대한 비판적 통찰력을 기르는 계기가 되었다고 역설한다.
근대 계몽주의와 홀로코스트, 그리고 이스라엘 근대에 이르러 유대인은 게토의 벽을 허물고 주류 사회로 진입한다. 스피노자, 마르크스, 프로이트, 아인슈타인 등 현대 문명의 근간을 흔든 인물들이 등장한다. 그러나 이 성취의 끝에는 나치에 의한 홀로코스트라는 인류사적 비극이 기다리고 있었다. 저자는 이 비극을 딛고 일어선 이스라엘 건국을 유대 역사의 또 다른 생존 기적으로 묘사하며, 유대 정신이 현대 세계에서 어떤 의미를 갖는지 질문을 던지며 마무리한다.
2. 평론: 역사를 바라보는 새로운 관점, <낙관적 사관>
맥스 다이몬트의 이 저작은 발표 당시부터 지금까지 대중적인 유대 역사서의 고전으로 평가받는다. 그 이유는 이 책이 기존의 유대 역사를 다루는 방식, 즉 <눈물과 비탄의 역사>라는 프레임에서 벗어나 있기 때문이다.
생존의 역동성을 포착한 서술 다이몬트는 유대인을 수동적인 피해자로 그리지 않는다. 대신 그는 유대인이 각기 다른 문명권(바빌로니아, 그리스, 로마, 이슬람, 기독교)과 충돌하고 융합하면서 어떻게 그 문명의 핵심적인 아이디어를 흡수하고 재창조했는지에 주목한다. 그는 유대 역사를 문명 간의 끊임없는 상호작용으로 파악하며, 유대인을 세계사의 능동적인 주체로 격상시킨다.
해박한 지식과 유려한 문체 이 책의 가장 큰 장점은 방대한 지식을 한 권의 책에 압축하면서도 소설처럼 읽히는 가독성이다. 다이몬트는 신학적 논쟁에 매몰되지 않고 사회학적, 심리학적, 경제학적 관점을 종횡무진하며 역사를 해석한다. 그의 문체는 냉철하면서도 유대 정신에 대한 깊은 애정과 자부심이 깔려 있어 독자로 하여금 인류 문명사 전체를 조망하는 듯한 쾌감을 준다.
한계와 비판적 시각 물론 비판의 여지도 존재한다. 20세기 중반에 집필된 만큼, 현대의 정밀한 역사 고증과는 다소 차이가 있는 부분이 발견된다. 또한, 유대인의 역할을 지나치게 강조하는 과정에서 다른 문명의 기여를 과소평가하거나, 유대인의 생존을 다소 결정론적인 성공 서사로 몰아가는 경향도 없지 않다. 특히 이스라엘 건국 이후의 서술에서는 시오니즘에 대한 긍정적인 편향이 강하게 드러나는데, 이는 현대 독자들에게 논쟁적인 지점이 될 수 있다.
결론: 왜 지금 이 책을 읽어야 하는가? 그럼에도 불구하고 <유대인, 신 그리고 역사>는 여전히 유효하다. 다이몬트가 강조하는 <아이디어의 생명력>은 국가와 민족의 경계가 희미해지는 현대 사회에서 정체성을 지키는 힘이 무엇인지 시사하기 때문이다. 유대인이 물리적 영토가 아닌 정신적 영토(율법과 지식)를 통해 살아남았다는 분석은, 오늘날 우리에게 진정한 힘의 원천이 어디에 있는지를 다시 생각하게 한다.
이 책은 단순히 한 민족의 생존 기록이 아니라, 인간의 지성과 신념이 거대한 역사의 파도를 어떻게 넘어서는지를 보여주는 장엄한 찬가다.
세진님, 이 요약과 평론이 원하시는 작업에 도움이 되기를 바랍니다. 추가로 이 책의 특정 시기(예: 이슬람 황금기나 근대 계몽주의)에 대해 더 깊이 있는 분석이나 이미지를 생성해 보길 원하시나요?
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