A History of the Jews

By Paul Johnson

Book Overview

National Bestseller

"A tour de force. . . . A remarkable achievement." --New York Times Book Review

"A marvelous book. . . . This is history: richly textured, provocative and wise." --Plain Dealer

From acclaimed historian Paul Johnson, author of Modern Times and A History of American People, this brilliant work of world history offers a 4000 year survey that covers not only Jewish history--from ancient Israel to the modern day--but the impact of Jewish genius and imagination on the world.

Why have the Jews endured for 4,000 years, and what has been their profound role in the story of humanity?

The Birth of Monotheism: Trace the story from Abraham's covenant and the origins of a single, ethical God to the laws of Moses and the writing of the Bible.A History of Survival: Follow the long, often tragic, history of a tenacious people through exile, persecution, the ghetto, and the Holocaust.Impact on Civilization: Examine the magnitude of the debt Christianity owes to Judaism and the immense impact of Jewish genius on global culture and thought.The Age of Zion: Understand the modern era, from the rise of Emancipation to the creation of a controversial and beleaguered state of its own in Zion.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060915331
• ISBN13: 9780060915339
• Release Date: September 1988
• Publisher: Harper Perennial
• Length: 656 Pages
• Weight: 1.18 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.6" x 5.4" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

The tragic history of God's people

In this magisterial work, Johnson chronicles the long and bitter path of the Jewish people from the time of Abraham. A thorough and exhaustive work, it explores, amongst other things, monotheism, the concept of the sanctity of life, the Israelite prophets, the birth of Christianity, the Enlightenment, the Holocaust and the establishment of modern Israel. The narrative is compelling on many levels, as a work of general history, as a tome of metaphysical and philosophical thought and in its discussions of influential historic personalities. The seven chapters are: Israelites, Judaism, Cathedocracy, Ghetto, Emancipation, Holocaust, and Zion. The scope of History Of The Jews is too vast and its insights too edifying to be summarized in a short discussion. To do the work justice, it needs a review the size of a small book! The question posed by the author in the Prologue: Is there a providential plan of which we are the agents?, is answered with a resounding Yes at the conclusion. I enjoyed Part Seven: Zion, the most, as it charts the events leading to the restoration of Israel and this brave little country's survival against impossible odds. Those who do not see a divine hand behind these events of the 20th century must be wilfully blind. If this were the only book he had written, Paul Johnson would still be a hero and a genius in my eyes. His account of the terrible suffering and the awesome contribution to mankind of the Jewish people will stand the test of time. But history is still being written despite the fatuous title of Fukuyama's famous book. There is hope that God's miracle nation will play a greater and happier part in the future. This masterpiece concludes with a postscript, a glossary, extensive source notes and a thorough index. I also recommend WorldPerfect: The Jewish Impact on Civilization by Ken Spiro and Jews, God, and History: 2nd Edition by Max Dimont for further historical insight, and Standing With Israel by David Brog and A Match Made in Heaven: American Jews, Christian Zionists, and One Man's Exploration of the Weird and Wonderful Judeo-Evangelical Alliance by Zev Chafets for important information on the current situation.

Great writing, erudite history

This is a masterful tour through the history of civilization. The first civilized societies began to emerge about 6,000 years ago, and Jewish history goes back 4,000 years. This books sweeps you away on a ride through 2/3 of civilized history!Other reviewers referred to Johnson's depth and breath. I loved the amazing combination of the flow of history and brief 'human interest' stories. The two fit together amazingly well, personal stories do not slow down the general sweep of the book. I also liked the fact that Johnson is not Jewish and while very sympathetic to Jews has more of an objective outsider attitude, pointing out flaws as well as achievements. I keep recommendingthis book to my friends.

A Saga Of Four Thousand Years!

This is my third book by British historian Paul Johnson. There is no question that he is an extremely talented writer and an excellent but opinionated historian. As always this combination makes for a lively and exciting read. Johnson states in the introduction that, as a believing Christian, he feels he owes much to the Jewish people who he greatly admires. He therefore felt that he wanted to write a complete history. It proves that a good Jewish history does not need to be written by a Jew. Johnson divides Jewish history into a series of epochs, each one of which consumes a part in the book. The chapters are called "Israelites" which covers the biblical period, "Judaism" which covers the period from the building of the Second Temple through the early Christian and early Islamic period, "Cathedocracy" in which Johnson deals with the experience of the Jews under medieval Christendom and Islam, "Ghetto" which deals with the late Medieval and Renaissance period in Europe. "Emancipation" which discusses the 18th and 19th centuries in Europe, "Holocaust" which needs no further explanation and "Zion" which covers not only the birth of modern Israel but also the post-war Jewish experience world wide. This book is enormously detailed and highly opinionated. Johnson's affection for the Jewish people shines through on virtually every page. Never one to hedge on a conclusion, Johnson has opinions on everyone from Abraham to Begin. My favorite chapter was the opening one, "Israelites". Here Johnson attempts to use similarities between biblical descriptions and known facts of other ancient civilzations to demonstrate that the bible, from Abraham forward is essentially historical. This section will be of enormous interest to everyone, whatever your knowledge of the bible. The Jewish saga is the human saga. It is complete with pathos, absurdity, tragedy and triumph. It is remarkable that an ancient people could survive under such hostile conditions. Really a miracle. Johnson captures the essence of that miracle. The entire book will be of interest to those with less than complete knowledge of Jewish history. It will also be excellent reading for those who have a good knowledge of Jewish history because of Johnson's excellent writing ability. This book is well worth the money.

One of the best histories of the Jews

I have read histrories of the Jews by at least half a dozen authors and I rate Johnson's as the best. Just as he successfully captured the character of the American people in "A History of the American People," so too, he captures the essence of Judaism, it's culture and history. What is remarkable about these two works is he is not an American (he's English) nor Jewish (he's Roman Catholic) yet observing from the "outside," he does great justice to both America and to Jews. I consider myself to be well versed in Jewish history and traditions. I am well read on the subject and, indeed, I have taught a college course in Judaism (at Marymount College in Tarrytown, NY). I find Johnson's views to be insightful and his facts to be laid out with no glaring errors. Starting in prebiblical times and continuing to the present, he tells a remarkable story. If you read only one history of the Jews, you would do well to select this one.

Sefer gadol, a great book about ethical monotheism

As a Catholic tragically aware of what he owes to the people of the Bible, I have been reading Jewish authors over the last twenty years, developing my own ghetto within my religious family and becoming extremely sensitive to gentile - not so gentle - oversimplifications concerning the Jews. Reading Paul Johnson was a permanent pleasure, if not bliss. From the standpoint of ethical monotheism, which he rightly so attributes to the Jews, he offers a thrilling travelogue across 4,000 years of human history, being honest enough to Christianity and Islam as Jewish sects which finally found a life of their own. Much before reaching his chapter on the Holocaust, his presentation on the seeds of antisemitism are extremely enlightening. This book is one of the best presents one can imagine for those who are prepared to suffer and rejoice with a people that cannot renounce to be God's elect.