Mandarins, Jews, and Missionaries The Jewish Experiencw in the Chinese Empire Hardcover

By Michael Pollak

Book Overview

Tells the story of the bands of Jews who wandered along the Silk Roads across central Asia to settle in China centuries ago. It gives an account of their lives and culture, and an insight into both... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0827601204
• ISBN13: 9780827601208
• Release Date: January 1980
• Publisher: Publisher
• Length: 436 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Jews in China history

This is a well written Jewish saga in making the long journey to China thousands of years ago and settled in Kaifeng and how they establish themselves as Jews in the unique culture and tradition with synagogue where they keep their Torah. They were only tribe not being discriminated and persecuted. They learned and adopted Chinese tradition culturally and blend into the community as Chinese Jews. The five families even adopted translated Chinese last name. During Mao Cultural Revolution, they were not disturbed by the Red Guards. This book affirms the friendship of thousands of years between Chinese and Jewish people who were not aware of the Christian Jewish Rabbi Jesus. This fascinated history will satisfy historical interest, enjoy the reading pleasure.

Great!

This one definetly one of the best books available with regards to the history of the Jews of Kaifeng. Pollak writes a convincing and yet entertaining piece of history that is sure to educate all its readers.

Great Book

* Me: I'm someone interested in serious, semi-academic books about Jewish history. I'm not someone looking for a James Michener book, but I'm not some equipped to critique Pollak's scholarship. * The book: This is a wonderful, well-written book that seems to discuss every old reference to the Jews of China in just about every language. It seems to give every known detail about the lives of China's Jews. Because China's Jews were one of the peoples of the "Silk Road" (the collection of ancient trade routes that linked China with Europe for many centuries), the book is also a pretty good introduction to the history of the Silk Road. * Who for: I think this book might be especially useful to anyone interested in Central Asian history; Jewish history; or extreme Jewish genealogy (i.e., the DNA testing folks). It could also be the basis for a pretty fine martial arts movie.