For those who love a good novel and history, especially of the land of Israel, this book is for you. James A. Michener is one of the best writers of our time and brings the history of this ancient land to life.
In his signature style of grand storytelling, James Michener sweeps us back through time to the Holy Land, thousands of years ago. By exploring the lives and discoveries of modern archaeologists excavating the site of Tell Makor, Michener vividly re-creates life in and around an ancient city during critical periods of its existence, and traces the profound history of the Jews, including that of the early Hebrews and their persecution, the impact of Christianity on the Jewish world, the Crusades, and the Spanish Inquisition. Michener weaves his epic tale of love, strength, and faith until at last he arrives at the founding of Israel and the modern conflict in the Middle East. The Source is not only a compelling history of the Holy Land and its people but a richly written saga that encompasses the development of Western civilization and the great religious and cultural ideas that have shaped our world.
In his signature style of grand storytelling, James Michener sweeps us back through time to the Holy Land, thousands of years ago. By exploring the lives and discoveries of modern archaeologists excavating the site of Tell Makor, Michener vividly re-creates life in and around an ancient city during critical periods of its existence, and traces the profound history of the Jews, including that of the early Hebrews and their persecution, the impact of Christianity on the Jewish world, the Crusades, and the Spanish Inquisition. Michener weaves his epic tale of love, strength, and faith until at last he arrives at the founding of Israel and the modern conflict in the Middle East. The Source is not only a compelling history of the Holy Land and its people but a richly written saga that encompasses the development of Western civilization and the great religious and cultural ideas that have shaped our world.
In his signature style of grand storytelling, James Michener sweeps us back through time to the very beginnings of the Jewish faith, thousands of years ago. Through the lineage of four modern men and women, we trace the colourful history of the Jews, including the life of the early Hebrews and their persecution, the impact of Christianity on the Jewish world, the Crusades, and the Spanish inquisition. Michener weaves his epic tale of love, strength, and faith until he at last arrives at the founding of present-day Israel and the modern Middle East conflict.
A novel in which the story of the Holy Land is dramatized in terms of modern and historical characters.
Boston Globe
James Michener is something rare and valuable: an honorable craftsman doing honorable work. . . . He manages to make history vivid.
New York Times
Fascinating . . . a wonderful rampage through history.
San Francisco Call Bulletin
Magnificent . . . a superlative piece of writing both in scope and technique. It is, in fact, one of the great books of this generation. . . . It will hold the interest of any reader, no matter what religion he may be.
Doug Boren, the author of Beyond the Horizons
Without a doubt, the best book I ever read! This was my first Michener book, read when I was still in high school,33 yrs ago. Since then, Iv'e read it probably 6 times! The way he waeves so many characters and stories focused on one spot is incredible. It was this book that inspired me to become a writer... if only I could acheive the excellence that he has. Highly recommended! Don't let its size scare you off... you'll still wish there was more when you finish it.
zdawg, a US Marine
Incredible!!! My first Michener book, this one had me gripped from start to finish, despite its length. A series of great stories that are intertwined, you can't help but feel as though you are learning as the story progresses. Based on actual historical figures and occurences, the stories are reconstructed and elaborated upon by the author in a seemless fashion that breaths life into lifeless facts.
silentsovereign -- yahoo.com
When I heard the word 'historical novel', I groaned. This is going to be boring and long. My teacher must be crazy if she's assigning us this assignment. I had no choice. I read. The book surprised me. It captivated my attention most of the time. It is a series of short stories, taking place at critical periods of history in and around the ancient town of Makor. Michener takes us back thousands of year to the beginning of religion, of the Jewish faith, to the times of David, prosperity of the Greeks, the revolts against the Romans, the Crusaders, the persecutions of Jews by the Holy Inquisition of Spain, and to the fight to regain Israel by young men and women. Michener intertwines history with fiction in an artful way that captivates and holds your attention. There is a recurring theme of death and destruction throughout, but it is what makes the book suspenseful and unique. I am not of the Jewish faith, but I have gained insight into its magnificent history of struggles. You do not have to be religious or interested in history to enjoy this book. You won't even remember that it is history because it is so entrancing and appealing
Erik (elmgren -- usa.com), 33 years old and no bookworm
If you like history and great storytelling this is the book to read. In James A Micheners book The Source we are taken on a breakneck journey through history and religion in i the middle east. This is one of the books i could not lay down at night and has since that time read it six times. The book starts with an excavation of a small hill in Israel and for each item that is found we are swept back in time to when the item was used , the storytelling follows the people of middle east from the stoneage to our days , and not ever beeing boring in any way . If you pick it up it rivets you to the seat and you wont be able to put it down until you are at the last page. If you have decided to just read one book in your entire life, read this one , and it will inspire you to continue exploring the wonderful world of the printed word.
Greg from the Minneapolis Commune
If we take the Source as a history of the Jews, which I think is what the author intended (as opposed to the history of "Makor" in the Holy Land), then I have to say that this is an excellent book. Michener writes with passion about the sufferings and resilience of the Jewish people, and his narrative explaining the origins and development of rabbinical Judaism is enlightening. The rich diversity and beauty of Ashkenazi and Sephardi culture come to life in Michener's book. One cannot help but feel a sense of empathy for the Jewish people as they struggle through exile, inquisition, pogroms, and exploitative officials.
Michener also does a good job of desribing the various inhabitants of Galilee through the ages, and through the clan of Ur, one gets a sense of how the Palestinian people came to be -- Canaanites and Philistines who were first Hellenized, then Romanized, and finally Arabized.
This book does so many things well that it is easy to overlook some serious flaws. Michener almost romanticizes Jewish history and suffering, and while his chapter "Rebbe Itzik and the Sabra" offers a compelling contrast between secular and religious Jews, it gives a woefully lopsided view of the Arab-Israeli War of 1948. The book seems to argue that the Jews "deserve" the land more because of their suffering and because "they can manage it better." It fails to establish the connection of the Arabs with the land -- as though the Palestinian Arabs "deserve" to be exiled -- even though the character Jemail Tabari supposedly is a descendant of people who lived there 12,000 years ago. Indeed, an examination of the chapter "Twilight of an Empire" reveals unforgivably stereotyped Arabs -- flat, colorless, without culture, dirty, corrupt, and often cruel. While Michener mentions Arab massacres of Jews, he neglects to mention the Deir Yassin Massacre or Hagganah massacres of Arabs in 1948.
Read this book if you want to learn more about Jewish history and religion (on these merits, I would rate it 9/10). On the other hand, I would rate the book's historical accuracy about 7/10.
A reader from Chicago, USA
Structured into self-contained, oft-interrelated period tales corresponding to archaelogical strata at a skillfully imagined dig, Michener bites off lots of history to chew. Latter episodes brim with cultural and political insight into modern Israel and its neighbors -- even decades after publication. Similarly, archaeological methods and personalities are nicely explored, with decent characterization. But many earlier historical episodes -- particularly the prehistoric and Byzantine tales -- are full of speculation and inconsistency, betraying a misunderstanding of human evolution and some crass Eurocentric biases (also evident in totally inconsistent non-phonetic spellings of non-English names/terms and widespread use of archaic King James translations of Jewish liturgy). And throughout, Michener goes out of his way to flaunt modern stereotypes about Jews (e.g. fancifully speculating that, among early populations, Hebrews were notoriously bad with money, or emphasizing the blue eyes of many Jewish characters) -- an understandable approach given that the book was written in the sensitive early post-Holocaust years, but the overall effect is tiresome, protesting too much. Overall, The Source is a wild ride with solid plotting and a particularly compelling wrap-up set in the then-present. But keep salt grains handy when reading this uneven romp through the history of one small place.
Robert A. Hand from Louisiana, originally
Has hastily been added to my list of "most influential books ever read." Altough this is indeed a very, very long read, and slows down a bit towards the last third, it is well worth the time and effort. This is more than just history; this is story. Read this book to understand the history behind and development of the Jewish people and their religion; to learn of the atrocities committed against them by ignorant oppressors -- both political and religious -- of whom Christianity is arguably the historical chief; to witness the enduring legacy of the Jews. A deeply moving tale told by a remarkable storyteller. Extremely well-researched, and extremely well done.
|
