이스라엘, 팔레스타인, 이란, 터키, 인도, 월남, 쿠바: The Thirteenth Tribe: Khazar Empire and Its Heritage : Koestler, Arthur: Amazon.com.au: Books

The Thirteenth Tribe: Khazar Empire and Its Heritage : Koestler, Arthur: Amazon.com.au: Books

The Thirteenth Tribe: Khazar Empire and Its Heritage Hardcover – Illustrated, 5 April 1976
by Arthur Koestler (Author)

From other countries

Crutch the Survivalist

5.0 out of 5 stars Shocked Amazon allows this book to be sold!

Reviewed in the United States on 15 March 2024

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

This book does the one thing, the unspoken rule of our modern world. It critsizes or explain the kazarian empire. Kanye west was made an example out of for doing the same thing, but still this is a great book. It answers a lot of questions for those who dare to think out side of main stream media.

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max

5.0 out of 5 stars Happy with product

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 January 2025

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

Click to play video

Amazon delivery guy sent it to the wrong address, but I found it in the end.

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Mo Abdul

5.0 out of 5 stars Great facts

Reviewed in Canada on 11 January 2019

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Supported facts, good read to enlighten yourself about true history.

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Aaron

5.0 out of 5 stars Khazar's who are they?

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 July 2014

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This information is very important in showing how the past impacts on the future in ways that you never thought possible. For eons tribes with long forgotten names have invaded and expanded into other areas. It is important to understand certain groups of people changed their religion to avoid being conquered and sharing their territories with other neighbouring districts who were encroaching on their boarders. By the Khazars converting to the Hebrew faith they avoided converging with the 2 most dominant religions at the time, Christianity and Islam. This book may require some study as it constructs the layout and design in a slow manner so that a full understanding is attained. It is interesting to note that the author Arthur Koestler was ostracised from the Jewish community after this publication and died in a car crash at the height of this published material.

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ken s. green

5.0 out of 5 stars Great history. Very informative.

Reviewed in the United States on 1 November 2019

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

Great history. Fills in blanks in historical chronology of Europe and Russia.

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james mayer

5.0 out of 5 stars The origins of the Ashkenazi

Reviewed in Canada on 17 January 2013

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Koestler gives a generously researched background to the Khazars the majority of whom converted to Judaism and are recognized today as the Ashkanazi who now live all over the world. It is an insight I was not aware of before. Thanks for your part to make this possible. James Mayer.

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Steve Vasseur

5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars

Reviewed in Canada on 18 May 2016

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Good historical read.

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Floyd W. Johnson, Jr.

4.0 out of 5 stars In depth historical narratives

Reviewed in the United States on 7 February 2014

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

I found the outlined historical data difficult to keep with; however, it did shared some light on a subject I've been interested in for a long time. I have always wondered why the Jews of today were Caucasian when looking at the Semitic Jews Moses rescued from Egypt, after being enslaved there for over three hundred years, where of a mixed race; mostly dark skinned.

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Adolph Robinson

4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 March 2016

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

very deep and well written

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Eric

5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars

Reviewed in the United States on 26 March 2018

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

Book was as described!

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Stéphan Lamarmé

5.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting.

Reviewed in Canada on 9 January 2014

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A new perspective, an added Knowledge on facts that I suspected for a long time. An eye opener and well reseal

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WiseWomenWorldWide

5.0 out of 5 stars History of notorious non-Semitic Khazar-Ashkenazi "Jews".

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 March 2015

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Anybody who is interested in researching the origins and history of the Khazarian non-Semitic "Jews" whose descendants are presently exterminating the Last of the Palestinian People; are responsible for the genocide of the European People and the genocide of the

Jewish anti-Zionist People during WW2, as well as are responsible for the 1905 HORRIFIC Armenian Genocide, as well as are responsible for many more mega-heinous crimes worldwide against Humanity, as well as are now bend on totally exterminating the

White Raceplus 98% of the rest of the world population in order for them to rule the world with a Zio-Stalinist Iron Fist,

should read this/Arthur Koestler's book, even though he believed that Zionists before, and in 1948 had the right to once again

steal the Land from the weaponless, peace loving nativePalestinian People.

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paola

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent

Reviewed in Canada on 26 September 2020

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

book arrived in perfect condition ahead of expected date

very satisfied

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Annastras

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 August 2023

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Very interesting read.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars

Reviewed in the United States on 18 November 2015

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Beneficial

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Amazon Customer

5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars

Reviewed in Canada on 12 April 2018

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This was an interesting read. A well written book.

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nkem Emeghara

5.0 out of 5 stars Good

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 24 November 2018

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Good

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reviewise

5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 October 2014

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ALL WELL THANKS

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Rengguang

2.0 out of 5 stars Two Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 November 2015

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Fairly worn out book.

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Amazon Customer

4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars

Reviewed in the United States on 24 March 2018

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

very informative

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88 customer reviews

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From Australia

Anthony P. Windle

5.0 out of 5 stars Mind blowing

Reviewed in Australia on 15 January 2025

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I really enjoyed the journey taken on reading this book. Why we were never taught these things would make a huge tome on its own. It’s not a long read but it’s very profound and written by one of their own.

One person found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

5.0 out of 5 stars The thirteenth tribe.

Reviewed in Australia on 25 October 2020

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I liked the whole book. Five stars. Facts that need to be more widely spread.

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Wayne N.

1.0 out of 5 stars To Much

Reviewed in Australia on 16 June 2023

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This book requires the reader to have an advanced knowledge of early middle eastern geography and is poorly written. It attempts to explain in waay to much detail what could be written in an easier format to understand. Very disappointed

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John Martin

3.0 out of 5 stars Details the varied origins of non-Semitic Jews throughout recorded non-biblical history.

Reviewed in Australia on 5 November 2021

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Can be tedious at times and there are non-continuous overlapping cross-references.

Helpful

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From other countries

JayWin

5.0 out of 5 stars Just what I wanted

Reviewed in Spain on 23 May 2024

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

The ordering was easy, picking the book up at the post station in the local Carrefour uncomplicated, free of charge and more reliable than having the parcel delivered to my door in Spain.

The book is exactly what I read about it and looking for. In very good condition.

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Latonia

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT BOOK!

Reviewed in the United States on 21 September 2021

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Great book. Gives alot of information that leads me to believe that after the destruction of the 2nd temple in 70 A.D, the Jews that were expelled from the Middle East, North Africa, Spain, and Portugal migrated to West Africa --Ghana, Mali, and Songhai--which was called the Bilad as-Sudan meaning LAND OF THE BLACKS in Arabic. They also migrated to Senegal and Cape Verde. Some even went as far as South Africa where there is a large Lemba community today. The Lemba have been genetically determined through DNA to be of the priestly tribe of the Levites!....and yes, they are BLACK AFRICANS. They practice Hebrewism that has been their religion for thousands of years.

I always wondered how white people became Jews and owners of Israel! They are proselytes...converts. Not of the bloodline of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

They stole the identity of the true Jews and hijacked the Hebrew language which was the language of the Canaanites. Hebrew is an AFRO-ASIATIC language close to Ugaritic.

When they were in Europe, they spoke Yiddish and whatever language of the country they were from.

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Ernie Osborne

5.0 out of 5 stars Jaw dropping.

Reviewed in Canada on 7 January 2023

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

A deep and insightful book that wiil stir the mind of the curious.

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Amazon Customer

5.0 out of 5 stars Informative

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 November 2025

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Good read and very informative

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nuvola

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting

Reviewed in Italy on 23 September 2024

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

An important book to read to learn more about today's geopolitics!

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Humberto

5.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting and well written.

Reviewed in Mexico on 10 October 2025

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Very interesting and well written.

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Ppmtnez

5.0 out of 5 stars raices

Reviewed in Spain on 19 December 2019

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Esta parte de la historia es desconocida para la mayoría de las personas y debería fomentarse su difusión.

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Tony Uriah Smith

5.0 out of 5 stars Revelation 2:9 - Revelation 3:9 KJV

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 August 2025

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Prophecy fulfilling..before our very eyes, as to the true Israelites are..

All Twelve Tribes were Africans! Still are until this very day! I am one of them of the Tribe of Judah.Genesis 49:10 KJV

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Lynne

5.0 out of 5 stars I recoomend this book for anyone interested in world history!

Reviewed in the United States on 24 June 2016

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I have read about half of this book and find it very interesting and informative. It certainly clears up a mystery for me. I am a native New Yorker and had many acquaintances who were Jewish from European ancestry. But I could never understand how this assimilation took place, since the Jews were supposed to be from the middle east. This book explains other parallel historical developments concerning the Vikings, Russia, other Turkish tribes as well as the Khazars development and subsequent conversion. As one gets past the introductory information, the book reads as well as a non-fiction work, as opposed to a dry historical tome. There are plenty of footnotes and references to substantiate the research. The author is very careful to give the sources he relies on and in most cases tries to get more than one source to substantiate the information he relies on. This book is not a polemic or agenda driven, but rather one that tries to enlighten the reader as to historical occurrences. I suggest that this book will be informative to anyone interested in early European history and its alliances affect us today.

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Raz

5.0 out of 5 stars Great read, did not learn this in school.

Reviewed in Canada on 14 November 2024

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You are always learning no matter how old you are...

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Red

5.0 out of 5 stars Looks great on the old bookshelf and the content is equally impressive

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 September 2021

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Thees nothing to dislike, arguably Koestler's most controversial and most seminal work. Gives the reader and history enthusiast in general a detailed window into the violently medieval world of the Steppe nomads, the jewish khazars stood proud along with the other 2 superpowers of the day , the Roman-Byzantine empire and the Abbasid Muslim empire. The most interesting and main theme of the book is the ethno-biologucal origins of the eastern European Ashkenazic jew. Are the semite or not? Koestler in hos authoritative analysis seems to think not. And that is the controversy.

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Dellwood Jackson

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Interesting Book

Reviewed in the United States on 9 April 2025

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A very interesting book. Koestler describes the fascinating Jewish kingdom of Khazaria, in the land north of the Caucaucus, between the Caspian and Black seas, and the area north of there, reaching as far west as Kiev. This kingdom lasted approximately 400 years, maintaining its independance against the Christian Byzantine empire to the southwest, and the Muslim empire to the south. The rise of the Russian kingdom in Kiev, and its alliance with the Byzantine empire, eventually ended the Khazar dominance in the region. Then its people were swept away-- like all the other peoples in southern Russia-- by the Mongol invasions led by Ghengis Khan.

Koestler convincingly makes the case that the Jewish community in Poland descended from the Khazar refugees fleeing the Mongol devastation. He also makes the case the the Hungarian Jewish population descended from a dissident branch of Khazars, who migrated westward prior to the Mongol invasion.

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Maureen

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic book

Reviewed in Canada on 27 October 2025

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A very interesting & famous book.

Always wanted to read it . A good read

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Dekker Bourne

4.0 out of 5 stars An interesting book.

Reviewed in Canada on 6 April 2024

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It's a thought-provoking book, but it needed a better writer.

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glorious rose

4.0 out of 5 stars This is history uncovered.

Reviewed in the United States on 3 December 2023

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This is knowledge and history that is eye opening. A bit technical to read but understandable.

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Ms Boo

4.0 out of 5 stars The thirteenth tribe

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 October 2022

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Interesting read..... Sometimes a little contradictory but nevertheless interesting.

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I didn’t get the turquoise beads And the box was torn and the plastic boxs were broken and the beads were all mixed together

5.0 out of 5 stars Good to know

Reviewed in the United States on 11 November 2025

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Good to know

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Baraqyaahla

5.0 out of 5 stars MUST READ

Reviewed in Canada on 6 August 2025

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Speechless. This explains a lot about questions that were previously unanswered to certain individuals

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trava

5.0 out of 5 stars Very good

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 June 2025

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Very interesting read. Learnt a lot of new stuff reading this

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Austin powers

5.0 out of 5 stars Being able to prove things by learning the facts

Reviewed in the United States on 16 October 2024

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Just researching proving facts over fiction.

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Amazon Customer

5.0 out of 5 stars Good book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 30 January 2025

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Great value for money and good information

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John

5.0 out of 5 stars as described.

Reviewed in Canada on 24 December 2024

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Great seller.

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K. Mcclean

5.0 out of 5 stars I appreciate this Book

Reviewed in the United States on 11 May 2017

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As an awoken negro, I appreciate this book telling the truth. Not only telling me that I am not anti -Semite but I am perhaps an original Semite. For me this book puts a lot into perspective especially about the origin of the Jewish people and confirming my suspicions that the majority of the modern day Jew is not the same people as referred to in the Bible as Hebrews or the chosen people of the Most High Yah. Great read...

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Pierre

5.0 out of 5 stars Livre

Reviewed in Canada on 27 September 2024

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Excellent

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samuel

5.0 out of 5 stars The truth 👍

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 24 May 2025

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The truth shall set you FREE!!

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customer

5.0 out of 5 stars what I needed

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 January 2025

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Especially relevant in view of what is going on today.

Documented history or the majority of people who consider themselves Jewish..

Jewish people don't like it.

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david cantu

5.0 out of 5 stars Fake Jews in the land of Israel

Reviewed in the United States on 11 May 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

christian church history leaves out the truth of what this book has written about the truth of how the white Jewish people adopted the ethnic Israelite religion. To further this truth read and cf. Shlomo Sand The Invention of the Jewish people..also Ronald Dalton Jr. Hebrew to the Negroes. Interesting quote from Gamal Abdel Nasser the jews will never live in peace, because you left here black but came back white.We cannot except u! Tex Mars recommend Dna of the Jewish people and the synagogue of Satan. from the poltical view where its all documented a lady by the name of Alison WEIR Against our better judgement hidden history of how the U.S. was used to create Israel.

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Black Scorpio

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth every penny!

Reviewed in Canada on 5 July 2023

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Awesome book!

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Leslie Gervais

3.0 out of 5 stars Informative and detailed

Reviewed in the United States on 12 June 2025

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Very detailed and informative. However, the reading is not easy. It needs a second reading in order to fully grasp the full picture

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Tony Gaston

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and readable

Reviewed in Canada on 23 May 2021

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

A fascinating book about a very obscure subject. I found the history very interesting; the anthropological speculations less so. It does make a good case that the Jews of Russia originated as Turks but everyone is so mixed up that, really, who cares?

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marie

4.0 out of 5 stars Worthy

Reviewed in Canada on 29 March 2023

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Glad I bought it

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Amazon Customer

4.0 out of 5 stars Are you willing to discard myth and accept factual analysis ?

Reviewed in Canada on 16 February 2020

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A probing analysis of a complex problem which has bedeviled historians . The obvious phenotypic difference between the Ashkenazi and Sephardic groups . A suggested resolution of the problem which upturns cherished beliefs and the attendant myths . It will not be accepted by many but it cannot be ignored . The evidence is compelling and the author walks us through it deliberately.

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Janos Sivo

3.0 out of 5 stars Meets expectations (almost)

Reviewed in Canada on 10 September 2022

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

The book is OK, if you want to read the story. It is not a very high quality paper or print. Furthermore, I would have hoped to find more or better maps.

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CC the great

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a must read book if you want to know the true history of the people in Israel now.

Reviewed in the United States on 16 December 2023

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I like the way the book goes into detail about everything concerning Israel today.

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Mike P.

5.0 out of 5 stars Book

Reviewed in the United States on 9 April 2024

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Received as described!

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Bushybro

5.0 out of 5 stars Unlearn and then Relearn

Reviewed in the United States on 13 October 2023

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Very good read. History is not always what it seems.

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StraightPoint

1.0 out of 5 stars Imagine having to pull a book off a shelf just to see it's title - THE SPINE IS BLANK!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 January 2025

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Imagine having to pull a book off a shelf just to see it's title - THE SPINE IS BLANK!

There should be a publisher who does a proper job and puts the title and author on the spine - but this publisher is to be avoided is you want a normal spine.

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Pamela Brown

5.0 out of 5 stars Books like this one is usually hidden from the media.

Reviewed in the United States on 15 July 2023

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I like that it is offered on Amazon and at a reasonable price.

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Madisyn Foote

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book. Great history. Well sourced.

Reviewed in the United States on 11 June 2019

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Man what a history lesson. Great book and sourced well. I suggest it to anyone seeking the truth about the people in “Israel” claiming to be Jews. Who are in fact descendants of Japheth... not Shem! This book is not anti-Shemetic. You have to be a shemite for that term to apply. Loved it! I strongly suggest it to read.

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toni-marie wood

5.0 out of 5 stars Religion book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 August 2023

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Very good read gives a lot of knowledge xx

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Main Character

5.0 out of 5 stars Important information that explains the modern world.

Reviewed in the United States on 6 July 2021

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This book is hated by some, and has been vilified by Zionists with the "antisemitic" bromide, but the information has been verified in the past ten years by two genetic DNA studies. I think it deserves serious consideration.

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April F.

4.0 out of 5 stars Quick delivery good packagins

Reviewed in the United States on 28 December 2021

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knowledge on hand to pass on for future generatins

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Bluewater

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow

Reviewed in the United States on 11 August 2023

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The truth is told

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Karen

5.0 out of 5 stars The thirteenth tribe

Reviewed in the United States on 22 November 2022

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Brilliant theory and very well researched. Worth the read.

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Julius L. Williams

4.0 out of 5 stars I found this book to be quite an extensive an ...

Reviewed in the United States on 16 March 2016

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I found this book to be quite an extensive and in depth history of the Khazarian Jewish people. He reveals much of their history that has been deliberately hidden for centuries and gives insight into the reasons why.

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Hero Health

5.0 out of 5 stars the truth is out there

Reviewed in the United States on 25 December 2018

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

tHE TRUTH IS OUT THERE, JUST Waiting for us to find it. The author did a good faith effort in researching material and presenting in an unbiased manner. I learned a lot. Look forward to having aN AUDIOBOOK OF THIS.

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Dynel Daniel Dillard

5.0 out of 5 stars Informative

Reviewed in the United States on 20 April 2023

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Enjoyed reading this book

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Audria

5.0 out of 5 stars Informative

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 30 November 2022

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History that needs to be known

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Ethan Rose

5.0 out of 5 stars It's an eye opener

Reviewed in the United States on 5 January 2022

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It shows you who are the ones who call themselves jews who are not.

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Mary Ann Chatman

4.0 out of 5 stars the thirteenth tribe

Reviewed in the United States on 26 July 2019

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this book traces the history Khazar empire a forgotten power in eastern Europe.

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baba carr

2.0 out of 5 stars Good Quality

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 November 2023

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Poor package and delivery. Parcel arrived late and was wide open. Someone opened it, for what reason, I don't know.

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dougs4freedom

5.0 out of 5 stars The Deceptions Are Real.

Reviewed in the United States on 4 December 2020

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Concerned people deserve the right to know about hidden hierarchies and truth in history. This book helps.

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Ms. Folkes

5.0 out of 5 stars Knowledge is power

Reviewed in the United States on 5 August 2021

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Personal library material--very informative and full of information that is not taught.

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JPLOVE

2.0 out of 5 stars Boring

Reviewed in the United States on 2 April 2024

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Informative, but boring. I still haven't finished reading it. Am on the last few pages.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Very informative

Reviewed in the United States on 25 December 2022

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Very informative

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NINOSHKA ARENAS

5.0 out of 5 stars MUST READ IT

Reviewed in the United States on 17 December 2019

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Love the historical information it contains of some information I already knew this book it's like pearls to your knowledge.

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===

The Thirteenth Tribe: The Khazar Empire and its Heritage Paperback – 3 August 1976

by Arthur Koestler (Author)

4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars (834)

All original edition. Nothing added, nothing removed. This book traces the history of the ancient Khazar Empire, a major but almost forgotten power in Eastern Europe, which in the Dark Ages became converted to Judaism. Khazaria was finally wiped out by the forces of Genghis Khan, but evidence indicates that the Khazars themselves migrated to Poland and formed the cradle of Western Jewry. To the general reader the Khazars, who flourished from the 7th to 11th century, may seem infinitely remote today. Yet they have a close and unexpected bearing on our world, which emerges as Koestler recounts the fascinating history of the ancient Khazar Empire. At about the time that Charlemagne was Emperor in the West. The Khazars' sway extended from the Black Sea to the Caspian, from the Caucasus to the Volga, and they were instrumental in stopping the Muslim onslaught against Byzantium, the eastern jaw of the gigantic pincer movement that in the West swept across northern Africa and into Spain.

Thereafter the Khazars found themselves in a precarious position between the two major world powers: the Eastern Roman Empire in Byzantium and the triumphant followers of Mohammed. As Koestler points out, the Khazars were the Third World of their day. They chose a surprising method of resisting both the Western pressure to become Christian and the Eastern to adopt Islam. Rejecting both, they converted to Judaism.

Mr. Koestler speculates about the ultimate faith of the Khazars and their impact on the racial composition and social heritage of modern Jewry. He produces detailed research to support a theory which could make the ter

From Australia

Anthony P. Windle

5.0 out of 5 stars Mind blowing

Reviewed in Australia on 15 January 2025

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

One person found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

5.0 out of 5 stars The thirteenth tribe.

Reviewed in Australia on 25 October 2020

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I liked the whole book. Five stars. Facts that need to be more widely spread.

Helpful

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Wayne N.

1.0 out of 5 stars To Much

Reviewed in Australia on 16 June 2023

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Helpful

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John Martin

3.0 out of 5 stars Details the varied origins of non-Semitic Jews throughout recorded non-biblical history.

Reviewed in Australia on 5 November 2021

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Can be tedious at times and there are non-continuous overlapping cross-references.

Helpful

Report

From other countries

JayWin

5.0 out of 5 stars Just what I wanted

Reviewed in Spain on 23 May 2024

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

The ordering was easy, picking the book up at the post station in the local Carrefour uncomplicated, free of charge and more reliable than having the parcel delivered to my door in Spain.

The book is exactly what I read about it and looking for. In very good condition.

Report

Latonia

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT BOOK!

Reviewed in the United States on 21 September 2021

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I always wondered how white people became Jews and owners of Israel! They are proselytes...converts. Not of the bloodline of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

They stole the identity of the true Jews and hijacked the Hebrew language which was the language of the Canaanites. Hebrew is an AFRO-ASIATIC language close to Ugaritic.

When they were in Europe, they spoke Yiddish and whatever language of the country they were from.

Report

Ernie Osborne

5.0 out of 5 stars Jaw dropping.

Reviewed in Canada on 7 January 2023

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

A deep and insightful book that wiil stir the mind of the curious.

Report

Amazon Customer

5.0 out of 5 stars Informative

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 November 2025

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Good read and very informative

Report

nuvola

5.0 out of 5 stars Interessante

Reviewed in Italy on 23 September 2024

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Un libro importante da leggere per approfondire fatti di geopolitica odierni!

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Humberto

5.0 out of 5 stars Muy interesante y bien escrito.

Reviewed in Mexico on 10 October 2025

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Muy interesante y bien escrito.

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Ppmtnez

5.0 out of 5 stars raices

Reviewed in Spain on 19 December 2019

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Esta parte de la historia es desconocida para la mayoría de las personas y debería fomentarse su difusión.

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Tony Uriah Smith

5.0 out of 5 stars Revelation 2:9 - Revelation 3:9 KJV

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 August 2025

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Prophecy fulfilling..before our very eyes, as to the true Israelites are..

All Twelve Tribes were Africans! Still are until this very day! I am one of them of the Tribe of Judah.Genesis 49:10 KJV

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Lynne

5.0 out of 5 stars I recoomend this book for anyone interested in world history!

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Raz

5.0 out of 5 stars Great read, did not learn this in school.

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You are always learning no matter how old you are...

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Red

5.0 out of 5 stars Looks great on the old bookshelf and the content is equally impressive

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Dellwood Jackson

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Interesting Book

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Maureen

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic book

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A very interesting & famous book.

Always wanted to read it . A good read

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Dekker Bourne

4.0 out of 5 stars An interesting book.

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It's a thought-provoking book, but it needed a better writer.

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glorious rose

4.0 out of 5 stars This is history uncovered.

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This is knowledge and history that is eye opening. A bit technical to read but understandable.

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Ms Boo

4.0 out of 5 stars The thirteenth tribe

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Interesting read..... Sometimes a little contradictory but nevertheless interesting.

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I didn’t get the turquoise beads And the box was torn and the plastic boxs were broken and the beads were all mixed together

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Good to know

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Baraqyaahla

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Speechless. This explains a lot about questions that were previously unanswered to certain individuals

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Very interesting read. Learnt a lot of new stuff reading this

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5.0 out of 5 stars Being able to prove things by learning the facts

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Just researching proving facts over fiction.

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Amazon Customer

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Great value for money and good information

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John

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Great seller.

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Excellent

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samuel

5.0 out of 5 stars The truth 👍

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The truth shall set you FREE!!

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customer

5.0 out of 5 stars what I needed

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Especially relevant in view of what is going on today.

Documented history or the majority of people who consider themselves Jewish..

Jewish people don't like it.

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david cantu

5.0 out of 5 stars Fake Jews in the land of Israel

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Awesome book!

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3.0 out of 5 stars Informative and detailed

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Very detailed and informative. However, the reading is not easy. It needs a second reading in order to fully grasp the full picture

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Janos Sivo

3.0 out of 5 stars Meets expectations (almost)

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The book is OK, if you want to read the story. It is not a very high quality paper or print. Furthermore, I would have hoped to find more or better maps.

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CC the great

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a must read book if you want to know the true history of the people in Israel now.

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I like the way the book goes into detail about everything concerning Israel today.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Unlearn and then Relearn

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Very good read. History is not always what it seems.

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The Thirteenth Tribe: The Khazar Empire and its Heritage

Arthur Koestler

3.93

959 ratings129 reviews

This book traces the history of the ancient Khazar Empire, a major but almost forgotten power in E. Europe, which in the Dark Ages became converted to Judaism. Khazaria was finally wiped out by the forces of Genghis Khan, but evidence indicates that the Khazars themselves migrated to Poland & formed the cradle of Western Jewry. To the general reader the Khazars, who flourished from the 7th to 11th century, may seem remote today. Yet they have a close & unexpected bearing on our world, which emerges as Koestler recounts the fascinating history of the ancient Khazar Empire. At about the time that Charlemagne was Emperor in the West. The Khazars' sway extended from the Black Sea to the Caspian, from the Caucasus to the Volga. They were instrumental in stopping the Muslim onslaught against Byzantium, the eastern jaw of the gigantic pincer movement that in the West swept across N. Africa & into Spain. Thereafter the Khazars found themselves in a precarious position between the two major world powers: the Eastern Roman Empire in Byzantium & the triumphant followers of Mohammed. As Koestler points out, the Khazars were the 3rd World of their day. They chose a surprising method of resisting both the Western pressure to become Christian & the Eastern to adopt Islam. Rejecting both, they converted to Judaism. Koestler speculates about the ultimate faith of the Khazars & their impact on the racial composition & social heritage of modern Jewry. He produces a large body of meticulously detailed research.

Genres

History

Nonfiction

Religion

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Jewish

Historical

Judaism

Russia

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256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1976

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About the author

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Arthur Koestler

161 books954 followers

Darkness at Noon (1940), novel of Hungarian-born British writer Arthur Koestler, portrays his disillusionment with Communism; his nonfiction works include The Sleepwalkers (1959) and The Ghost in the Machine (1967).

Arthur Koestler CBE [*Kösztler Artúr] was a prolific writer of essays, novels and autobiographies.

He was born into a Hungarian Jewish family in Budapest but, apart from his early school years, was educated in Austria. His early career was in journalism. In 1931 he joined the Communist Party of Germany but, disillusioned, he resigned from it in 1938 and in 1940 published a devastating anti-Communist novel, Darkness at Noon, which propelled him to instant international fame.

Over the next forty-three years he espoused many causes, wrote novels and biographies, and numerous essays. In 1968 he was awarded the prestigious and valuable Sonning Prize "For outstanding contribution to European culture", and in 1972 he was made a "Commander of the British Empire" (CBE).

In 1976 he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and three years later with leukaemia in its terminal stages. He committed suicide in 1983 in London.

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فؤاد

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February 15, 2021

خزرها یکی از مجموعه طوایف ترک بودن که قرن شش میلادی شمال دریای خزر و دریای سیاه ساکن شدن و دریای خزر اسمش رو از این قوم گرفته. دلیل این که سراغ این قوم اومدم، یه خصوصیت نادر و غیرمعمول این قوم ترک زبانه: این که در سال ۷۴۰ میلادی تصمیم گرفتن مذهبشون رو تغییر بدن و یهودی شدن.

یهودیت یه دین جهانی مثل مسیحیت و اسلام نیست، یه دین قومیتیه. یعنی فقط کسانی که از بدو تولد نژاد یهودی داشته باشن می تونن به این دین دربیان. به خاطر همین هم خیلی عجیبه که یک قوم غیراسرائیلی یهودی بشه، و در طول تاریخ فقط دو بار این اتفاق افتاده: یک بار در قرن چهارم که حمیری های یمن یهودی شدن، و یک بار در قرن هشتم که خزرها یهودی شدن. هر دوی این اقوام مقارن اسلام بودن، به خاطر همین تصمیم گرفتم یه کم راجع بهشون بخونم.

اولین بار که خزرها اهمیت پیدا می کنن جایی نیست جز جنگ تاریخی خسرو پرویز - هراکلیوس. ضمن این جنگ تاریخ ساز، هراکلیوس با قبایل خزر ساکن قفقاز پیمان می بنده که بهش کمک نظامی کنن و در عوض خواهر هراکلیوس به ازدواج پادشاه خزرها در بیاد. این زمان هنوز خزرها یهودی نیستن.

دفعۀ بعد که خزرها نقش اساسی پیدا می کنن، چند دهه بعده که سپاه اسلام از هر طرف پیشروی می کنه، اما وقتی به قفقاز می رسه، توسط خزرها متوقف می شه، و سرزمین های شمال قفقاز برای همیشه از نفوذ سپاه اسلام برکنار می مونن. این زمان هم هنوز خزرها یهودی نیستن.

سپاهیان مسلمان و خزرها در طول صد سال بعد متناوباً با هم برخوردهایی دارن و گاهی پیروزی با مسلمان هاست و گاهی با خزرها، اما در نهایت پیروزی قاطع نصیب مسلمان ها می شه: مروان حمار، آخرین خلیفۀ اموی، در فتحی بزرگ پادشاه خزرها رو مقهور می کنه، و مجبورش می کنه مسلمان بشه، و پادشاه خزرها می پذیره. خزرها مسلمان می شدن، اگه خیلی زود فروپاشی خلافت اموی توجه مروان حمار رو از خزر به سمت جنگ داخلی منصرف نمی کرد. خیلی زود، با فروپاشی خلافت اموی، پادشاه خزرها تغییر مذهب می ده و یهودیت رو به عنوان دین رسمی خزر انتخاب می کنه.

این که چرا بولخان، پادشاه خزر، یهودی شد، چندان روشن نیست. نامحتمل نیست که این انتخاب سیاسی بوده باشه. چون در اون روزگار مذهب و سیاست در هم گره خورده بودن. در جهان دو قطبی اون دوران، مسلمان شدن خزرها یعنی قرار گرفتن در زمرۀ دشمنان روم. و مسیحی شدنشون، یعنی قرار گرفتن در زمرۀ دشمنان مسلمان ها. شاید بولخان با انتخاب یه دین سوم که مورد قبول مسیحی ها و مسلمان ها بود، خواسته به نوعی بی طرفی خودش رو حفظ کنه تا بتونه با هر دو طرف ارتباط تجاری داشته باشه. چیزی که روشن نیست اینه که چرا یهودی ها تن به این امر بی سابقه دادن که یه قوم غیراسرائیلی یهودی بشه. بنا به گزارش ها، روحانی های یهودی بودن که یهودیت رو بر بولخان عرضه کردن. بولخان روحانی های مسلمان و مسیحی رو دعوت کرد تا با روحانی یهودی مناظره کنن، و وقتی مناظرات به نتیجه نرسید، روحانی مسیحی رو به تنهایی دعوت کرد و پرسید: بین یهودیت و اسلام کدوم به حقیقت نزدیک ترن؟ و روحانی مسیحی یهودیت رو ترجیح داد. بعد روحانی مسلمان رو تنها دعوت کرد و همین سؤال رو پرسید و اون هم یهودیت رو بر مسیحیت سه خدایی ترجیح داد. و بولخان این مذهب رو که مورد قبول هر دو دین دیگه بود به عنوان دین قلمروی خودش انتخاب کرد. بعد خیمه ای مثل خیمۀ عبادت موسی ساخت، با شمعدان هفت شاخه و صندوق عهد و قربانگاه. یهودیتی که در قلمروی خزرها برقرار بود، یهودیت قرائی بود، فرقه ای از یهودیت که فقط به تورات اعتقاد داره و تعالیم تلمود رو قبول نداره. اما چند نسل بعد، در دورۀ شاه عوبدیا طی اصلاحاتی مذهبی یهودیت تلمودی در قلمروی خزر برقرار شد.

دولت خزرها بیشتر از دویست سال دوام نیاورد. روس های وایکینگ از اسکاندیناوی به سمت جنوب هجوم آوردن و با قسطنطنیه هم پیمان شدن و خزرها رو برای همیشه نابود کردن. هر چند یهودی های خزر این جا و اون جا باقی موندن و حتی یه قیام منجیانه برای بازگشت به اورشلیم صورت دادن که شکست خورد. آرتور کوستلر در بخش دوم کتاب این نظریه رو مطرح می کنه که یهودی های اشکنازی (یهودی های شرق اروپا) که هشتاد درصد جمعیت امروزی یهودی ها رو تشکیل می دن، در حقیقت بازمانده از خزرهای یهودی هستن، و به عبارت دیگه، اصلاً یهودی نیستن. این نظریه هرچند خیلی جالبه، اما برای من که می خوام تاریخ اسلام بخونم، اهمیت ثانوی داشت، از طرف دیگه در سال های اخیر با آزمایش های ژنتیکی به طور قاطع رد شده و دیگه ارزش علمی نداره. به خاطر همین هم بخش دوم کتاب رو نخوندم.

علوم-انسانی

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Issa Deerbany

374 reviews

704 followers

April 4, 2017

دولة الخزر

دولة أقيمت في أوروبا الشرقية ولعبت دورا تاريخيا وخاصة مع الدولة الاسلامية والدولة البيزنطية ويعتبرها المؤرخين ان وجودها قد اخر فتح القسطنطينية مئات السنين.

كيف اعتنقت هذه القبائل البربرية الدين اليهودي ربما لا يجيب الكتاب على ذلك بصورة جازمة ولكن الرأي الاقوى انها لا تريد ان تتبع احدى الإمبراطوريات المعاصرة المسيحية أو الاسلامية.

وكما كان إنشاءها لغزا على المؤرخين كذلك سقوطها ولكن الثابت ان شعبها كان منتشرا في أوروبا الشرقية وخاصة بولندا.

ثم يكمل المؤلف في تتبع تاريخ الخزر اليهود في أوروبا ليثبت وجهة نظره ان اليهود الحاليين يعودون في اصولهم الى الخزر وليس الى الأسباط الاثني عشر الذين قسمهم سيدنا موسى عليه السلام بل هي القبيلة الثالثة عشر وهم الان اليهود الفعليين في العالم وهم الذين يستوطنون فلسطين الان.

كتاب مهم جدا وبذل مؤلفه جهدا كبيرا بتتبع مصادر ومؤرخين لإثبات وجهة نظره

وشكرا

The Khazar state was established in Eastern Europe and played a significant historical role, particularly with the Islamic and Byzantine empires. Historians believe its existence delayed the conquest of Constantinople by centuries. How these barbaric tribes embraced Judaism is perhaps not definitively answered in this book, but the prevailing view is that they did not wish to submit to either of the contemporary Christian or Islamic empires. Just as its establishment was a mystery to historians, so too was its fall. However, it is certain that its people were widespread in Eastern Europe, especially in Poland. The author then continues tracing the history of the Jewish Khazars in Europe to prove his point that modern Jews trace their origins to the Khazars, not to the twelve tribes of Israel as divided by Moses. He argues that the Khazars constitute the thirteenth tribe, and that they are the true Jews of the world, currently residing in Palestine. This is a very important book, and its author has exerted considerable effort in consulting sources and historians to support his argument. Thank you.

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Ayse_

155 reviews

82 followers

August 24, 2018

Arthur Koestler is a magnificent journalist. He can reach a wide range of documents, and give comparative reports, thanks to his proficiency in many languages.

“The country of the Khazars, a people of Turkish stock, occupied a strategic key position at the vital gateway between the Black Sea and the Caspian, where the great eastern powers of the period confronted each other. It acted as a buffer protecting Byzantium against invasions by the lusty barbarian tribesmen of the northern steppes— Bulgars, Magyars, Pechenegs, etc.— and, later, the Vikings and the Russians. ”

“The wars of the Arabs and the Khazars, which lasted more than a hundred years, though little known, have thus considerable historical importance. The Franks of Charles Martel on the field of Tours turned the tide of Arab invasion. At about the same time the threat to Europe in the east was hardly less acute.... The victorious Muslims were met and held by the forces of the Khazar kingdom.... It can... scarcely be doubted that but for the existence of the Khazars in the region north of the Caucasus, Byzantium, the bulwark of European civilization in the east, would have found itself outflanked by the Arabs, and the history of Christendom and Islam might well have been very different from what we know.

It is perhaps not surprising, given these circumstances, that in 732— after a resounding Khazar victory over the Arabs— the future Emperor Constantine V married a Khazar princess. In due time their son became the Emperor Leo IV, known as Leo the Khazar.”

“A few years later, probably AD 740, the King, his court and the military ruling class embraced the Jewish faith, and Judaism became the state religion of the Khazars.”

Excerpt From: Arthur Koestler. “Thirteenth Tribe The Khazar Empire and its Heritage.” iBooks.

Thus begins the book about Khazar Turks.. It tells about the story of an old old Turkish tribe that converted to Jewish faith, and moved in to the Slavic regions of Europe first, but than in time in to all Europe. The hypothesis is stated as; most Jews in the world today are of Khazar origin.

“ The mainstream of Jewish migrations did not flow from the Mediterranean across France and Germany to the east and then back again. The stream moved in a consistently westerly direction, from the Caucasus through the Ukraine into Poland and thence into Central Europe. When that unprecedented mass-settlement in Poland came into beng, there were simply not enough Jews around in the west to account for it; while in the east a whole nation was on the move to new frontiers.

It would of course be foolish to deny that Jews of different origin also contributed to the existing Jewish world-community. The numerical ratio of the Khazar to the Semitic and other contributions is impossible to establish. But the cumulative evidence makes one inclined to agree with the concensus of Polish historians that "in earlier times the main bulk originated from the Khazar country"; and that, accordingly, the Khazar contribution to the genetic make-up of the Jews must be substantial, and in all likelihood dominant.”

Excerpt From: Arthur Koestler. “Thirteenth Tribe The Khazar Empire and its Heritage.” iBooks.

In addition to the information on history of religious faiths, I learned very interesting facts about my ancestors (well at least a section of them); such as being ruled by a Kagan (Hakan) (a spiritual-wise leader) and Beg (a governor-leader) at the same time (names still used prominently at those European geographic areas). Why very smart people are not liked and tortured to death. The origin of the belief in Europe `that Turks are dirty and barbaric` (it actually dates back to Kkazars). Why there are still so many cultural similarities between Jewish people and us. The actual meaning of black Turks and white Turks.And many more.

Although it is a small book, it took me a while to read, going back and forth between sources for verification and history brush-up, however it was very much worth all the effort.

mind-expansion

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Bob Newman

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February 25, 2020

Hold the Strudel and Pass the Baklava

Back in the 1970s, Arthur Koestler, author of "Darkness at Noon", wrote this amazing innovative book. I read it in Rarotonga in 1980---a suitably exotic place to read a serious book on a rather exotic topic. I returned to it 24 years later, though I long ago disagreed with the author's main conclusions.

In the first 121 pages, Koestler describes the history of a long-vanished, Turkic people called the Khazars, whose ruler, faced with pressure from both Muslim and Christian nations around them, took the radical step of converting to Judaism. As this is one of the very few instances (if not the single one) in history of such a royal move, the Khazars have attracted scholarly attention ever since, particularly, but not only, from Jews. Indeed, you can log on to a Khazar Studies website today. For another, less factual view of this interesting tribe, you can read Milorad Pavic's poetic, absurdist novel "Dictionary of the Khazars". In any case, Koestler's history makes fascinating reading, containing accounts by ancient Arab travelers, stories of Jewish crusaders in northern Iraq and descriptions of Khazar links to Vikings, Byzantium, Islam, and the Magyars. I have no professional historical knowledge of how accurate it all is, but if I were awarding stars for good writing in the field of history, I'd give five here.

HOWEVER, "The Thirteenth Tribe" is not just a history. In the remainder of the book, Koestler constructs an argument for the Eastern European Jews being the descendants of those Khazars. He asks where the Khazars all disappeared to. He says population statistics from the period 1300-1500 bear evidence that there could not have been so many Jews to be killed by the brutal Bogdan Khmielnitsky in the great massacres of 1648-49 in Ukraine unless the Khazars had become the Polish-Ukrainian Jews by then. He deals in some dubious racial theorizing, throws in a few arguments based on place names, and concludes that the "original stock" of the Jews was predominately Turkish. This theorizing turned me off back in 1980 and it still does. As an anthropologist, I have to ask: in all cases known to history, when a people converts en masse to another religion, particularly if the conversion is not by force, a large body of pre-existing language and culture always remains. Why not with the supposed Khazar-Jews? Is there an element of Turkish in Yiddish? No. Are there any kinds of nomadic or Turkish cultural behavior patterns among the Eastern European Jews? The answer is no. This would be just about impossible if Koestler's theory were correct. Secondly, to rely on statistics gleaned from medieval records is extremely dubious especially when Jews were hardly deemed members of European society and may never have been counted. Numbers of people killed or born were routinely exaggerated or ignored all over Europe. I rejected Koestler's theory 24 years ago. Since then, DNA research, unknown at the time, has shown that most Eastern European Jews have a mixed Semitic and European heritage. Despite the passage of many centuries, genetically the closest people to them remain the Palestinians, Lebanese, and Syrians. Koestler's theory remains only an interesting thought. It is worth reading for the historical part and to see how convincing incorrect theories can still be

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Dr. Ahmed Elhag

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January 22, 2026

****هناك كتبٌ تبحر بك في رحلة نيلية وادعة، حيث الصفحات كالموج الرقيق والزمن ينساب بلا عَجَلة، وأخرى تمضي بك على سكة قطارٍ لاهث، تتوالى محطاته حتى تفاجأَ بأنك قد بلغت النهاية. لكن "القبيلة الثالثة عشر"… شأنٌ آخر، فهي أشبه بتسلّق جبلٍ مهيب؛ مسارٌ وعرٌ يرهق الجسد ويستنزف الأنفاس، غير أنّ كل خطوة فيه تنسج متعةً خفيّة، لا تنكشف إلا حين تبلغ القمّة وتنظر خلفك فتبتسم.

**** لقائي الأول مع هذا الجبل، أعني كتاب "القبيلة الثالثة عشر ويهود اليوم" للكاتب "آرثر كويستلر"، بترجمة "أحمد نجيب هاشم". أول عهدي بعالَم هذا الكاتب مجري الأب، نمساوي الأم، يهودي الديانة، وربما أيضًا أول احتكاك لي بتلك الفئة الوعرة من الكتب التي تتطلّب من قارئها صبرًا وجهدًا، لكنها تمنحه في المقابل معرفة لا تُنسى.

**** لم يكن هذا الكتاب مجرّد سردٍ تاريخي بارد، ولا دراسة أكاديمية جامدة ، بل كان رحلة فكرية محفوفة بالدهشة، تكشف عن زاوية مغايرة تمامًا لتاريخ اليهود وأصولهم، وتفتح أمام القارئ أبوابًا من الأسئلة أكثر مما تمنحه من الإجابات.

** في البداية وجبَ توضيح أن الكتاب يطعن في الأصل السامي لليهود الحاليين و خاصة "الأشكيناز" منهم والذين يمثلون بطبيعة الحال الغالبية العظمي من يهود الكيان الحالي أو بالأحرى اليهود المهاجرين إلى فلسطين.... و لكنه لا يضرب كما يتوقع البعض في حق قيام دولة إسرائيل و هذا ما وضحه بنفسه الكاتب في صفحة (١٧) حيث صرح بأن حق قيام كيان دولة "إسرائيل" لا يستند إلى أصول اليهود العرقية و لا إلى ركائزهم الدينية و إنما يقوم بمقتضي القانون الدولي وقرار الأمم المتحدة عام (١٩٤٧).

** هو عمل تفجيري فكري فيه جوانب تاريخية، دينية، سياسية، إنسانية، نقدية متشابكة مع بعضها البعض... مما يستلزم لمراجعته أن تُحبَك بعمق وهدوء وتحليل منظم يليق بقوة هذا العمل البحثي.

****التصنيف :

-الكتاب ليس مجرد كتاب تاريخ بطريقة السرد الزمني المعهودة ، بل قنبلة فكرية تُلقى في قلب السردية الصهيونية، فتبعثر ثوابتها وتكشف ما حاولت طمسه لقرون. يطرح القبيلة الثالثة عشر فرضية جريئة صادمة قد تعيد رسم خريطة أصول يهود أوروبا.

- الكتاب يصعب حبسه في خانة واحدة فهو عمل متعدد الأوجه، يمكن تصنيفه في أكثر من إطار:

١- تاريخ جدلي:

يواجه السرديات الراسخة بفرضيات صادمة مثيرة للجدل ، ويضع القارئ أمام أسئلة لم تُطرح من قبل عن أصول يهود أوروبا.

٢- بحث في تاريخ الأفكار والهويات:

يتتبع جذور شعب الخزر وتحولاته من قوة إقليمية إلى عنصر خفي في النسيج الأوروبي، مبرزًا كيف تتشكل الهويات عبر السياسة والتحالفات في شكل بحثي أكاديمي بحت يعج بالمصادر و الاقتباسات.

٣- كتاب سياسي مقنّع بعباءة التاريخ:

إذ يوجه سهامه بين السطور نحو الأساس العرقي الذي تدّعيه الصهيونية، ويعيد صياغة القصة الرسمية لتاريخها.

٤- مسحة أنثروبولوجية:

يضيف "كويستلر" بعدًا إنسانيًا من خلال وصف الملامح الجسدية، والعادات القبلية، ونظم الحكم، والتحول الديني الجماعي لليهودية. هذه اللمسات "الأنثروبولوجية" لا تأتي كتفصيل أكاديمي بارد، بل كخيوط لونية تمنح لوحة التاريخ حياة وعمقًا.

٥- أدب الرحلة البحثية:

أسلوب المؤلف يمزج بين دقة الباحث وفضول الرحالة، فينقلك بين خرائط ومخطوطات ووثائق و رسائل كما لو كنت ترافقه في جولة عبر قرون مضت.

** رغم كثافة محتوى الكتاب وتشعب مساراته، إلا أن قوته تكمن في قدرته على مخاطبة أكثر من مستوى من القراء كما يلي :

١- القارئ العادي أو متوسط الاطلاع سيجد أمامه رواية تاريخية متماسكة، تقدم المعلومة كاملة من دون أن تلزمه بالغوص في تفاصيل المصادر.

٢- الباحث المتمكن فسيجد في الكتاب خيوطًا موثقة يمكن تتبعها، ومراجع تفتح أمامه مسارات بحثية أوسع.

٣- المؤرخ المحترف سيجد فيه مادة خام، يمكن أن يستنبط منها رؤى أعمق عن التفاعل بين الجغرافيا والسياسة، وعن كيفية صناعة الهوية عبر القرون من خلال المقارنات بين المصادر.

-بهذا يتحول الكتاب من مجرد عمل تاريخي إلى منصة فكرية مفتوحة، تمنح كل قارئ بوصلة تناسب مستواه وخلفيته المعرفية.

**** العنوان :

- العنوان نفسه "القبيلة الثالثة عشر" هو أول سهم يطلقه "كويستلر" نحو الرواية التقليدية في الموروث اليهودي، فالقبائل الأصلية لإسرائيل هي اثنتا عشرة قبيلة أو سبطاً تمثل الجذور التاريخية والدينية للشعب اليهودي... -بإضافة "قبيلة ثالثة عشر"، يلمّح المؤلف إلى أن هناك عنصرًا دخيلًا أو فرعًا غير معترف به في السردية المقدسة، وهو شعب "الخزر" الذي اعتنق اليهودية في العصور الوسطى.

- لذا العنوان يحمل إيحاءً مزدوجًا: من جهة يوحي بوجود حلقة مفقودة أو غامضة في السلسلة التاريخية، ومن جهة أخرى يثير الشك في نقاء الأصل العرقي الذي تتبناه الصهيونية. فهو عنوان صادم، ذكي، وذو قيمة دعائية، لأنه يجذب القارئ حتى قبل أن يفتح الصفحة الأولى، ويضعه مباشرة في قلب الجدل.

****اللغة و الأسلوب :

- لغة وعرة ولكن فيها نَفَس سردي وتشويقي يجعلها سلسة و مستساغة بعض الشئ للقارئ و خصوصاً مع دعمها بالهوامش .

- أسلوب "كويستلر" في هذا الكتاب يجمع بين حدة الجدل ورشاقة السرد.... فهو لا يكتب كالمؤرخ الأكاديمي المحايد، بل كمحامٍ بارع يقدم مرافعة مدعومة بالأدلة والوثائق، مع حرصه على إبقاء القارئ في حالة ترقب دائم. يستخدم لغة تتراوح بين الدقة العلمية الدسمة والإيقاع الأدبي السلس ، فيستطيع أن ينسج من الأسماء الجغرافية الجافة مشاهد حية، ومن الجداول التاريخية سردًا مثيرًا. هذا المزج بين الصرامة البحثية والنَفَس القصصي يجعل الكتاب أقرب إلى رحلة فكرية منه إلى سرد تاريخي تقليدي.

****أهم نقاط القوة:

١- شجاعة الطرح:

-"كويستلر" لم يكتفِ بمراجعة التاريخ، بل تحدّى رواية متجذرة في الخطاب الصهيوني عن الأصل السامي لهم ، وفتح بابًا للنقاش في موضوع يراه كثيرون في العالم “منطقة محرّمة”.

٢-الربط بين التاريخ والسياسة:

-الكتاب ينجح في إظهار كيف يمكن لأحداث في العصور الوسطى أن تلقي بظلالها على قضايا معاصرة، خصوصًا في الشرق الأوسط وأوروبا.

٣- تنوع المصادر:

-اعتمد على مزيج هائل من الوثائق التاريخية، والمراجع الأكاديمية، والشهادات الجغرافية، مما يعزز مصداقية السرد.

٤- المسحة الأنثروبولوجية

إضافة البعد الإنساني من خلال وصف العادات، والتحولات الاجتماعية، والنظم القبلية، مما يجعل التاريخ أكثر واقعية وأقرب للفهم.

٥- الأسلوب الجذاب

-المزج بين دقة البحث وسلاسة السرد جعل القراءة ممتعة في أغلب الفصول حتى في بعض الفصول المليئة بالتفاصيل.

٦- تناسُب المحتوى مع مختلف فئات القراء

-من القارئ العادي الذي يبحث عن قصة تاريخية متماسكة، إلى الباحث المتعمق الذي يريد الغوص في المراجع، وحتى المؤرخ الذي يمكنه استنباط رؤى أعمق.

**** أهم نقاط الضعف:

١- الاعتماد على الاستنتاج أكثر من الدليل القاطع

رغم أن الفرضية التي يطرحها كويستلر مثيرة، إلا أن بعض الروابط — مثل نسبة معظم يهود أوروبا المعاصرين إلى الخزر — لا تستند إلى أدلة حاسمة و لعل صعوبة الحسم من خلال تلك المصادر هو السبب.

٢- الانتقائية في السرد

ركّز المؤلف على الجوانب السياسية والعسكرية لتاريخ الخزر، لكنه مرّ سريعًا على الأبعاد الثقافية والدينية وتفاعلاتهم مع الشعوب المجاورة، مما جعل الصورة التاريخية أقل اكتمالًا.

٣- غياب التحليل العميق لبعض المصادر

بعض المصادر التي اعتمد الكاتب عليها لا يمكن البناء عليها بمفردها

مثال: اعتمد "كويستلر" بكثافة على رسالة "ابن فضلان" في وصف الخزر،دون النظر إلى خلفية و ايديولوجية المصدر وقد أشار المؤلف نفسه لاحتمالية خضوعه لـ«الهوى». كان من الأجدر تفكيك هذه الشهادة ومقارنتها بمصادر أخرى.

أيضاً رسالة "حسداي بن شبروط" إلى الملك الخزري "يوسف" — تعامل معها "كويستلر" كمصدر وصفي مباشر، رغم كونها وثيقة دبلوماسية ذات أهداف سياسية واضحة، مما يتطلب قراءة نقدية تكشف عن دوافعها وخلفياتها.

٤- النبرة الجدلية التي تميل للتحيز:

رغم أنني لا أراها نقطة ضعف فالحدة في مهاجمة الرواية الصهيونية — رغم كونها عنصر جذب — قد تجعل بعض القراء يشككون في حياد المؤلف، ويعتبرون العمل أقرب إلى المرافعة السياسية منه إلى البحث التاريخي البحت.

٥- أخطاء جانبية مثيرة للجدل :

- يورد المؤلف أحيانًا عبارات خارجة عن سياق الموضوع أو مبنية على تعميمات مثيرة للجدل، مثل ملاحظته في سياق الحديث عن الأتراك أن الزنا كان محرّمًا لديهم، لكنه أضاف أن "اللواط كان منتشرًا بين العرب بينما هو مجرّم عند الأتراك"، وهي جملة تحمل حكمًا تعميميًا مثيرًا للجدل ولا يضيف قيمة حقيقية للتحليل التاريخي بالإضافة إلى أنه خطأ بالطبع .

و أيضًا صفحة (١١٩) يورد الكاتب ما نصه "أن فالديمير كان فاسقاً مثل سليمان " و هو ما يوضح فساد عقيدة اليهود و توراتهم المحرفة.

٦- أخطاء معلوماتية أو التباس في الحقائق:

مثال واضح في صفحة (١٦١)، حيث كتب المؤلف عن "استعداد إبراهيم عليه السلام التضحية بابنه إسحاق عليه السلام (إسماعيل عليه السلام)" وكأنهما شخص واحد، بينما هما ابنان مختلفان في الرواية الدينية، مما يعكس التباسًا أو خطأً في الصياغة التاريخية أو ربما في الترجمة .

**** نظرة عامة على الكتاب:

-يحوي "القبيلة الثالثة عشرة" بين دفتيه ثلاثة فروع رئيسية، ينبثق من كل منها عدد من الفروع الفرعية، على النحو التالي:

أولاً: المقدمة:

-يعرض المؤلف في هذا القسم خلفية فرضيته الأساسية، والتي تقوم على ركيزتين:

١- أن غالبية يهود أوروبا ليسوا من نسل بني إسرائيل القدماء، بل من شعب الخزر الذي اعتنق اليهودية في العصور الوسطى.

٢- أن مملكة "الخزر" كانت أشبه برمانة ميزان العالم في عصرها، إذ شكّلت الحاجز الجغرافي والسياسي الذي أوقف التمدد العربي من جهة، وقيّد الهيمنة البيزنطية من جهة أخرى.

- راقني ما أورده الدكتور "حسين فوزي النجار" حين قال: "إذا كان بنو إسرائيل هم شعب الله المختار، فهذا يعود لاختيارهم للرسالات السماوية، وليس تمييزًا لهم عن باقي البشر، وقد انتفت عنهم تلك الصفة بعد نزول رسالة الإسلام إلى العالمين."

- أما المترجم فقد أفاض في عرض المصادر والمراجع وأصحابها، سواء العربية — مثل رسالة "ابن فضلان"، وأعمال "ابن حوقل"، و"المسعودي" — أو البيزنطية مثل مؤلفات المؤرخ "قنسطنطين السابع"، أو الروسية كـ"الحولية الروسية"، فضلًا عن الرسائل "الخزرية"، بالإضافة إلى المصادر الحديثة، وعلى رأسها كتابات "دوجلاس دانلوب".

ثانياً :قيام دولة الخزر و سقوطها :

- يتناول المؤلف في حوالي (١١٠) صفحة نشأة الخزر من قبائل تركية الأصل استقرت في منطقة إستراتيجية بين البحر الأسود وبحر قزوين، حتى تحولت إلى قوة إقليمية كبرى.

-برزت دولتهم ككيان سياسي قوي في القرن السابع الميلادي قامَ على أثر سقوط امبراطورية "الهون" ، واستطاعت بحكم موقعها الجغرافي أن تتحكم في طرق التجارة بين الشرق والغرب، وأن توازن بين القوى العظمى آنذاك؛ فكانت الحاجز أمام التوسع العربي الإسلامي في شمال القوقاز، وفي الوقت نفسه تحدّ من النفوذ البيزنطي في السهوب الأوراسية.

- تحدث الكاتب عن بعض العادات الخزرية الأقرب للأسطورية دون التحقق منها مثل عادة (الخنق) حيث أنه عند تنصيب الخاقان يقوم شعبه بلف حبل حول عنقه حتي يكاد يختنق و يُسأَل كم ينتوي الحكم من السنوات.!!! فإذا تخطى الرقم المحدد له قاموا بشنقه فعلاً.

- لحظة التحول المفصلية فكانت اعتناق النخبة الحاكمة — وعلى رأسهم الملك "بولان" — اليهودية، وهو قرار سياسي وديني معًا، منح الخزر هوية مميزة وسط محيط إسلامي ومسيحي.

- أوضحَ الكاتب وجود نظريتين في موضوع اعتناق الخزر اليهودية كما يلي :

١- على لسان "الدمشقي "هو بعد اضطهاد الإمبراطور البيزنطي لليهود هاجروا في جماعات إلى بلاد الخزر و هناك عرضوا عليهم الديانة فاعتنقوها.

٢- الرواية الثانية على لسان "البكري " وهي اعتناق الملك الخزري المسيحية أول الأمر ثم أدرك بهتانها فأشاروا عليه بعمل مناظرة بين ممثلي الديانات السماوية الثلاثة و انتهت مع اختلاف التفاصيل باقتناعه باليهودية.

- بدأ الضعف يدب في أوصال الدولة بفعل الضغوط العسكرية من جماعات الفايكنج "الروس" الصاعدة شمالًا من خلال الدخول بالسفن بشكل تجاري ثم التحول إلى الشكل العسكري ، وضربات السلاجقة، إضافة إلى الصراعات الداخلية، حتى سقطت الدولة نهائيًا في القرن العاشر الميلادي على يد حفيد "جنكيز خان "، تاركة إرثًا غامضًا ومثيرًا للجدل في التاريخ.

-فترة السقوط تنقسم إلى قسمين :

١- الاضمحلال

وهي تبدأ من سقوط كييف عام ٨٦٢ و تنتهي احتلال العاصمة "اتل " عام ٩٦٥.

٢- السقوط بسبب الحملات الصليبية و المغول إلى جانب ضعفهم في آخر قرنين من الزمان.

ثالثاً :التراث:

-يخصص المؤلف هذا القسم لتتبع ما يسميه بـ"الإرث الخزري" في أوروبا الشرقية، محاولًا ربط بقايا شعب الخزر باليهود "الأشكناز" في العصور اللاحقة. يوضح كيف أن اعتناق الخزر لليهودية جعلهم نواة لمجتمعات يهودية مزدهرة في مناطق الهجرة التالية، خاصة في أوكرانيا وبولندا وليتوانيا.

-يتناول المؤلف التأثيرات اللغوية والثقافية، مثل ارتباط اللغة "اليديشية" بالمفردات التركية والسلافية، ويعرض التحولات الديموغرافية التي أسهمت في تشكيل الشخصية اليهودية الأوروبية. كما يناقش الجدل الأكاديمي حول مدى صحة هذه الروابط، مشيرًا إلى غياب إجماع قاطع، لكنه يرى أن حجم التشابه التاريخي واللغوي يجعلها فرضية جديرة بالبحث.

- يظهر البعد "الأنثروبولوجي" بوضوح في فصل "السلالة والأسطورة"، حيث يطعن المؤلف في فكرة الأصل الموحد لليهود، مستندًا إلى الفروق في الملامح واللغة والثقافة، موضحًا أنهم جماعات جاءت من شتات دول أوروبا الشرقية ومن بقايا الخزر

****إجمالاً كتاب دسم و عمل فكري مكثف، يفيض بالمعرفة ويعتمد على طيف واسع من المصادر التاريخية والجغرافية والأدبية، مما يمنحه ثقلًا مرجعيًا يجعله حاضرًا في مكتبة كل مهتم بتاريخ الشعوب والديانات. دسمه المعرفي يفرض على القارئ يقظة ذهنية، فهو لا يقدّم المعلومات فحسب، بل يضعها في سياق جدلي يختبر المسلّمات ويستفز الفكر. تنوع مراجع المؤلف، ما بين النصوص البيزنطية والرحلات العربية والمخطوطات اليهودية، يثري العمل ويجعله أشبه بورشة بحثية مفتوحة، قابلة لأن يستفيد منها القارئ العادي، والباحث المتمرس، والمؤرخ المحترف على حد سواء. إنه كتاب مرجع، لكنه أيضًا دعوة لإعادة النظر في السرديات الكبرى التي طالما اعتُبرت ثابتة.

There are books that take you on a tranquil Nile cruise, where the pages are like gentle waves and time flows uneventfully, and others that carry you along a breathless train track, its stations one after another until you're surprised to find you've reached the end. But "The Thirteenth Tribe"... is something else entirely. It's more like climbing a majestic mountain; a rugged path that exhausts the body and drains the breath, yet every step weaves a hidden pleasure, revealed only when you reach the summit and look back, smiling. My first encounter with this mountain, I mean the book "The Thirteenth Tribe and the Jews Today" by Arthur Koestler, translated by Ahmed Naguib Hashem, was my first introduction to the world of this author—Hungarian by father, Austrian by mother, and Jewish by faith—and perhaps also my first encounter with that challenging category of books that demand patience and effort from their readers, but in return grant them unforgettable knowledge. This book was not merely a cold historical narrative, nor a rigid academic study, but rather a thought-provoking journey that reveals a completely different perspective on Jewish history and origins, opening more doors of questions for the reader than it provides answers. It must be clarified at the outset that the book challenges the Semitic origin of present-day Jews, especially the Ashkenazim, who naturally constitute the vast majority of Jews in the current entity, or rather, the Jews who immigrated to Palestine. However, it does not, as some might expect, undermine the right to establish the State of Israel. This is clarified by the author himself on page 17, where he states that the right to establish the State of Israel is not based on Jewish ethnic origins or religious foundations, but rather on international law and the 1947 United Nations resolution. It is an intellectually explosive work with intertwined historical, religious, political, humanitarian, and critical dimensions, necessitating a thorough, calm, and systematic analysis befitting the power of this research. ****Classification: - This book is not merely a history book in the conventional chronological style, but rather an intellectual bombshell dropped into the heart of the Zionist narrative, shattering its established tenets and revealing what it has attempted to conceal for centuries. "The Thirteenth Tribe" presents a bold and shocking hypothesis that could redraw the map of the origins of European Jews. - The book defies easy categorization; it is a multifaceted work that can be classified in several frameworks: 1- Controversial History: It confronts established narratives with shocking and controversial hypotheses, posing previously unasked questions about the origins of European Jews. 2- A Study in the History of Ideas and Identities: It traces the roots of the Khazar people and their transformation from a regional power to a hidden element within the European fabric, highlighting how identities are shaped through politics and alliances in a purely academic research style rich with sources and quotations. 3- A Political Book Disguised as History: It subtly targets the ethnic foundation claimed by Zionism, rewriting its official historical narrative. 4- An Anthropological Touch: Koestler adds a human dimension by describing physical features, tribal customs, systems of governance, and the collective religious conversion of Judaism. These anthropological touches are not presented as cold academic details, but rather as colorful threads that give the historical canvas life and depth. 5- The Literature of a Research Journey: The author's style blends the precision of a researcher with the curiosity of a traveler, transporting you through maps, manuscripts, documents, and letters as if you were accompanying him on a journey through past centuries. ** Despite the density of the book's content and the complexity of its themes, its strength lies in its ability to appeal to multiple levels of readers, as follows: 1- The average or moderately informed reader will find a coherent historical narrative that presents complete information without requiring them to delve into the details of the sources. 2- The accomplished researcher will find in the book documented threads that can be traced, and references that open up broader avenues of research. 3- The professional historian will find in it raw material from which to derive deeper insights into the interaction between geography and politics, and into how identity was constructed across the centuries through comparisons between sources. Thus, the book transforms from a mere historical work into an open intellectual platform, providing each reader with a compass that suits their level and background knowledge. **** Title: - The title itself, "The Thirteenth Tribe," is Koestler's first arrow aimed at the traditional narrative in Jewish heritage. The original tribes of Israel are twelve tribes or clans representing the historical and religious roots of the Jewish people... - By adding "the thirteenth tribe," the author hints at the existence of an extraneous element or an unrecognized branch in the sacred narrative: the Khazar people, who converted to Judaism in the Middle Ages. - Therefore, the title carries a dual implication: on the one hand, it suggests the existence of a missing or obscure link in the historical chain, and on the other hand, it raises doubts about the racial purity claimed by Zionism. It's a provocative, clever, and promotional title, as it grabs the reader's attention even before they turn the first page, placing them directly at the heart of the debate. ****Language and Style: - The language is rugged, yet possesses a narrative and suspenseful quality that makes it somewhat accessible and palatable to the reader, especially with the support of footnotes. - Koestler's style in this book combines the intensity of the argument with the elegance of the narrative. He doesn't write like a neutral academic historian, but rather like a skilled lawyer presenting a case supported by evidence and documents, while maintaining constant suspense. He uses language that ranges between rigorous scientific precision and a smooth literary rhythm, weaving vivid scenes from dry geographical names and captivating narratives from historical records. This blend of research rigor and storytelling makes the book more of an intellectual journey than a traditional historical account. Key Strengths: 1- Courageous Approach: Koestler didn't just revise history; he challenged a deeply rooted Zionist narrative about their Semitic origins, opening a door to discussion on a topic many in the world consider taboo. 2- Linking History and Politics: The book successfully demonstrates how events in the Middle Ages can influence contemporary issues, particularly in the Middle East.

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Jacob S

216 reviews

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March 11, 2018

It has been a long and bumpy ride.

Even with a basic knowledge of the great migrations you are left hung out to dry when Koestler takes you through Central Europe, The Great Steppes and Asia in the pursuit of the origins of the Khazars and how they influenced their part of the world for nearly 400 years.

Looking out the window from the Koestler carriage while traveling through time and space is certainly interesting, a lot of effort and scholarship has been put into the work. The number of sources cited is immense, a thoroughbred and comprehensive set of appendixes on linguistics and explanations of why the sources are credible is included.

The talent and the works of Koestler in his lifetime is extraordinary, but also his controversial views and here we see one of these.

By and large the case is built on the fact that a loosely connected tribal empire, The Khazars, converted to Judaism for sociopolitical reasons – being hammered on from the southeast by Islam and from the west by the Roman Catholic empires, and not willing to chose either side, they picked a wildcard and went with Judaism. Thus, they became “The Lost 13th Tribe of Israel”.

The aim is, to serve a higher cause, by proving that Ashkenazi Jews are not Jewish by ancestry but by “choice” and thus should not be exposed to racially motivated antisemitism.

Depending on school of Judaism, you may become a Jew by proper conversion or by matrilineal and patrilineal descent, which leaves the question of why it would be so important to determine an alternative origin of the Ashkenazi Jews open.

However, it remains a thesis, and a thesis which is disputed wildly from all sides of the arena.

The discussion is interesting from an academic point of view but bears no significance to anything out there in the real world.

For further reading, maybe a little more unbiased, you may read the wiki articles:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khazars

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khazar_...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Who_is_...

contemporary-international

philosophy-etc

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J Bel

38 reviews

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July 13, 2017

At the time it was written, the thesis of The Thirteenth Tribe was justified by the facts then available. The broad conclusions offered were never justified by the very small amount of real data presented. Since the publication of The Thirteenth Tribe, additional scholarship from anthropologists, historians, and geneticists have shown the conclusions of the author to be invalid.

The author’s thesis, that modern Eastern European Jews, the Ashkenazim, are largely descended from the Khazar people is refuted by three main arguments; one genetic, one linguistic, one cultural. A recent study of the human genome has shown the Eastern European Jews are descended from Middle-eastern ancestors and they are closely related to the Arab peoples of the Eastern Mediterranean region and the Jews of Yemen. Linguistically, the traditional secular language of Eastern European Jews is Yiddish which is a language derived from medieval German, Slavic (in its many early forms), Aramaic and Hebrew. The linguistic connection to the language family of the Khazars is extremely limited and less than the connection to other Eastern European languages. Culturally, Eastern European Jews are nearly devoid of Khazar cultural artifacts not only in language, but in costume, food, art, and cultural practices.

It should be noted that there are historically valid explanations for the presence of the Jews in Eastern Europe. For example, the depredations of the Crusaders as they marched to attack Jerusalem drove many Jews to the east. Likewise, the encouragement by the early Polish Kings for Jews to enter their kingdom after 1100AD is well documented. See especially the reigns of King Boleslaus III (1102–1139) and of King Casimir III (also called Casimir the Great) (1303–1370) as an introduction to this aspect of Eastern European history.

That Khazar Kingdom existed is an established fact. That a portion of the ruling class of that Kingdom converted to Judaism is very likely true. That there were Jews in the geographic area of Khazria is true. There were Jewish communities in Crimea that predate Khazaria. That is as far as the known facts can take one. The proof for mass conversion of the Khazar people to Judaism and their subsequent mass migration to the Polish Empire and then into the area of the Russian Empire after the Polish partitions of the 18th century lacks anything approaching conclusive evidence. In fact there is no evidence.

Were some Jews of Khazar origins present in the mix of the Jews of Eastern Europe? Very possibly but no more than it is likely that some Eastern European Jews have some Slavic or Hungarian ancestors or an ancestor from any number of other ethnic groups including the Mongols. This would be true for Jews as it is for any other ethnic group. Consider for a moment the history of European and Central Asian migration and warfare in the last 5,000 years. Can anyone claim to be of “pure blood” and why would that matter in any case?

The history of Khazaria is certainly going to attract the interest of some people as it is little known as is the history of this geographic area in general. The Scythian, Magyar, Saltovo, Bulgar, and Pecheneg

peoples also inhabited this area and their histories in this area are also relatively unknown. The late antiquity and early medieval periods are generally unknown to most people even when considering the geographic areas typically studied in high school i.e. Britain and France. Even for most of us who are insatiably curious about history, knowledge of the history of the Caspian basin in this historical epoch is rare.

Finally, the conversion of some Khazars to Judaism is an interesting and unusual historical event but its relevance to ongoing political controversies is nil. Unfortunately, some material from the book has been and continues to be used by anti-Semites and anti-Israel groups and individuals to further their arguments. Although interesting at the time it was written, subsequent research has disproved the thesis of the book. It is now little more than an invalid relic used by anti-Semites who claim that the presence of Khazar genes in modern Jews invalidates the Jewish claim to Israel as their historic homeland.

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Cwn_annwn_13

510 reviews

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December 15, 2008

When this book came out it caused a big controversy although I'm not quite sure how anybody could rationally critique what Koestler put forth here. I don't think any sane human being that knows how to read could say that the good bulk of the European/Eastern European Jews are descended from the biblical Israelites. Koestler documents how these European Jews came out the Khazar tribe of southeast Russia/Khazakistan who even back then were a mixed race people mainly of Turko-Armenian type racial stock with some Asian, that later mixed with other various peoples. It really strikes me as odd when Jews like to refer to themselves as a race, which is a card they like to play when its to thier advantage, when there are Jews from literally every race on the planet. I mean you have the stereotypical Ashkenazi type Jew, the middle eastern/Sephardic type of Semitic Jew, but you also have Asian Jews, the African Jews who are an Ethiopian/Somolian racial type, many of the Jews with ancestry that came out of of Germany are indistingguishable from blonde haired blue eyed nothern Europeans (the Jewess actress Alicia Silverstone or the actor Kirk Douglas are good examples), there was even some South American Indian tribe that called themselves Jews that were allowed to immigrate to Israel a few ago. So my point being, to call the Jews a race, or to say that there is any chance that any but a tiny percentage of them have even the slighest chance that they have some lineage with the Jews of the old Testament is ludicrous. If they want to call themselves the chosen of the Yahweh demon thats their own business I suppose but when fables and historical falsehoods are used as justifications for global political maneuverings that more often than not have seriously negative ramifications for the majority of the people on this planet then I begin to have a problem with it.

Koestler also documents the whole process of conversion of the Khazars to Judaism, which from my research seems mainly to have been a political/economic move because of the Khazars land being right in the middle of a major trade route between the middle east and Europe. Because there was often crusades and warfare between the Muslims in the middle east and the Christians to the north the Khazars chose a religion that would allow them to play both sides of the card and not have to choose sides when problems arose. You also get a lot of interesting general history of the area that the Khazars came out of using various sources, in particular Ibn Fadlan who is best known for his writings on the Viking Rus that were in that area during the time he was. Overall this is one of the better books you can read if you are studying Ashkenazi Jews.

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Jan-Maat

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January 3, 2017

Sometimes you can find odd things in libraries, sometimes you wonder how some books even got published in the first place to get into those libraries. Well known controversialist and dead person Arthur Koester wrote this as a non-fiction account of the conversion of the Khazars to Judaism, which one of the many curious events which have occurred in history. He argued that these converts became the ancestors of East European Jews after the end of the Khazar hegemony on the steppe to the North of the Caspian and Black Seas. At the time of writing it was too early for the kinds of genetic analysis available today although how would you establish what a Khazar genetic heritage would look like when themselves very obscure, I don't know if there are many if any unambiguously Khazar gravesand archaeological evidence was not utilised in this book. On one level it is a fairly nice idea, the line from the Khazar steppe to the historical Pale from Ukraine to Poland and Lithuania is a far shorter one than the one from the eastern Mediterranean, On another we know very little about the Khazars - did they all become Jewish or just their chiefs or their Khan - and what did it mean to be a Jewish Khazar?

On a more significant level for readersthis book is far less interesting, clever or source aware than The Dictionary of the Khazars in either its male or female editions

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Mahdi Lotfi

447 reviews

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August 16, 2017

کتاب "قبیله سیزدهم" (The Thirteenth Tribe) یا "خزران" (چاپ 1976) از معروفترین آثار کلستر است.خزران یا خزرها قومی ساکن در شمال و شمال غرب دریای خزر بودند. حوالی سال 740 میلادی آنها در برابر پیشروی لشکریان اسلام ایستادگی کردند و آنگاه که بسیاری از همنژادان ترکشان به اسلام گرویدند، خزران به دین یهود روی آوردند و کوشیدند به عنوان نیروی سومی در میان اسلام و مسیحت، استقبال خود را در رویارویی با خلافت بغداد از یکسو و با امپراتوری قسطنیه از سوی دیگر حفظ کنند.

دولت یهودی خزر تا حدود 500 سال بعد با افت و خیز موجودیت خود را حفظ کرد. پس از آنکه روس ها با امپراتوری بیزانس کنار آمدند و به مسیحیت گرویدند با پشتیبانی قسطنیه بر متصرفات خزران تاختند و دولت خزر در سراشیبی تلاشی قرار گرفت. یهودیان خزری در اثر ضربات اقوام مهاجم به سوی اوکراین و مجارستان و لهستان رانده می شدند تا سرانجام طوفان عظیم ایلغار تاتار برخاست و آخرین رمق زندگانی خزران در زیر ستم ستوران مغول به سرآمد

The Thirteenth Tribe or Khazars (1976 edition) is one of Kloster's most famous works. The Khazars or Khazars were a people living to the north and northwest of the Caspian Sea. Around 740 AD they resisted the advancing armies of Islam, and when many of their Turkic compatriots converted to Islam, the Khazars converted to Judaism and tried to maintain their welcome as a third force between Islam and Christianity in the face of the Caliphate of Baghdad on the one hand and the Constantinople Empire on the other. The Jewish Khazar state maintained its existence with ups and downs for about 500 years. After the Russians came to terms with the Byzantine Empire and converted to Christianity, they attacked the Khazar territories with the support of Constantinople, and the Khazar state was on the decline. The Khazar Jews were driven to Ukraine, Hungary, and Poland by the blows of the invading tribes until finally the great storm of the Ilgar Tatars arose and the last glimmer of Khazar life ended under the oppression of the Mongol hordes.

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Wednesday, March 25, 2026

The Thirteenth Tribe: Khazar Empire and Its Heritage : Koestler, Arthur: Amazon.com.au: Books

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