A History of the Jews

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.


Sefer gadol, a great book about ethical monotheism   December 28, 1998
Gilbert Ahnee (marek@intnet.mu) (Mauritius, Indian Ocean)
82 out of 96 found this review helpful

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.


The best one-volume Jewish history book, period!   August 4, 1998
Menashe Aaron (ISRAEL)
46 out of 49 found this review helpful

As an Orthodox Jew, an "insider", I was absolutely (and positively) amazed to see an "outsider", like Mr. Johnson, penetrate through the layers of confusion and misunderstandings and really "gets it". In the words of Rabbi Berel Wein (a contemporary Jewish historian), "Mr. Johnson did a much better job than many secular Jewish historians". There are many things I disagree with in this book but more often then not I found myself nodding in agreement and underlining key sentences. All this is my commentary on the CONTENTS of the book, when it comes to lucidity, choice of words and philosophical depth, well... Brilliant is putting it mildly. This book is a must-read for Jews and non-Jews alike!


One of the best histories of the Jews   July 7, 2000
David E. Levine (Peekskill , NY USA)
39 out of 42 found this review helpful

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.


Unanimous Praise Surprising   April 25, 2001
17 out of 35 found this review helpful

The unanimous praise for Johnson's book on Jewish history seems more informed by its accessibility than by its analysis or depth of argument. Johnson cites Biblical passages written generations after the events they describe (and edited by more generations) as if they were verbatim transcripts. His arguments are often conclusory, suggesting a journalist's desire to cover his ground quickly. His source materials are voluminous and he has done much work, but his reach exceeds his grasp. He considers little of the available material on his subject from archeology, sociology or anthropology. He keeps to a traditional narrative (the eternal victim role for the Jews), that is tinged with the fervor and filter of a Christian convert. James Carroll, in his valuable work, Constantine's Sword, may circle for paragraphs before reaching a conclusion. Norman Cantor may challenge more devout, conservative or less critical thinkers with his deeply informed but cynical or personal judgments. Johnson simply assures his readers that they have accompanied him on a 4000 year journey and that they have arrived safely home.