In a bold challenge to the long-held scholarly notion that Rabbinic Judaism was already an established presence during the Second Temple period; Gabriele Boccaccini here argues that Rabbinic Judaism was actually a daring reform movement that developed following the destruction of the Jerusalem temple and that only took shape in the first centuries of the common era. Through careful analysis of Second Temple sources; Boccaccini explores the earliest roots of the Rabbinic system of thought in the period from the Babylonian exile to the Maccabean revolt; or from Ezekiel to Daniel. He argues convincingly that a line of thought links Rabbinic Judaism back to Zadokite Judaism through the mediation of the Pharisaic movement. Sure to be widely debated; Roots of Rabbinic Judaism will be of interest to anyone studying the origins and development of modern Judaism.
#433365 in Books Walker n Company 2010-09-28 2010-09-28Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.27 x 1.10 x 5.53l; .83 #File Name: 0802777716400 pages
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Caveat EmptorBy J. Terry CorbetI should start with the positive statement that I found this book a worthwhile read. The author generally is very good at taking the reader on a ride that will dip into the business of history in a well-organized; thoughtful manner.That said; I should also admit; up front; that I am one who; when reading history; expects and enjoys bountiful interruptions via footnotes; endnotes; appendices; or whatever means are best used to provide the references that one will need in order to check and cross-reference the researcher's sources. I appreciate the fact that; especially in the somewhat nether world of 'historical biography' where this book is appropriately cataloged; other readers do not wish to have their reading so interrupted. Those of you in that category will probably appreciate the fact that the author has chosen a very moderate number of such intrusions.For me; however; I almost invariably begin by seeing what sort of bibliography is available and how well the assertions of fact and opinion the author makes tie back to independent sources. Using that technique; before I made my purchase decision; I was advised that Mr. Linklater's work was going to leave me a little short in that respect. So; with all of that as preface; I am not wasting your time by saying that the rigor of his historical research will be found wanting simply because he does not do a very good job of anchoring his point of view in the sources; I am; rather; wasting your time to say that I was pretty alarmed to find that at least one of the very important assertions of fact concerning the activities and intrigues of Gen'l Wilkinson that I found surprising; upon checking the reference trail the author provided; showed that Mr. Linklater had invented some mythology for which the closest allusion to his source -- not a proper citation after all -- was completely wanting.I guess; then; my review is just something of the 'caveat emptor' sort. What I wanted to do; when I discovered what I believed to be a significant error; was dialogue with the author; but; sadly; I see that he has recently passed away; and I've lost that opportunity. So; buy the book; you will probably enjoy it; but it is not a piece of historical study of the highest order concerning some of the events that transpired during the time when James Wilkinson was on the stage; playing his part in the intrigues that are a part of American history.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. It's an amazing story. To live this double life and survive ...By Barry Wayne BaileyI started reading about José Antonio Navarro from a book I found at an estate sale. In the book I found an interesting character named Philip Nolan. That led me to read the book Philip Nolan and Texas Expeditions to the Unknown Land. In this book I found another interesting character who was a mentor to Philip Nolan named James Wilkinson. This led me to this book by Andro Linklater. It's an amazing story. To live this double life and survive is somewhat amazing. Maybe he was predestined to survive his dastardly schemes. He was extremely lucky or just clever enough to convince all involved he was on their side.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. The many lives of James WilkinsonBy Steven PetersonI had read small snippets here and there about General James Wilkinson. That he was in the pay of the Spanish. That he was in cahoots with Aaron Burr. But never anything in great detail. Thus; I was most intrigued when this book came out. At last; a chance to get to learn about the General in some detail.James Wilkinson was born into a family with aristocratic pretensions. However; things did not work out so well--and his father ended up dying when James was quite young. At a young age; he began a profession as a doctor. However; with the British opening hostilities in Massachusetts; he joined the army and rapidly moved into the officers' rank; becoming a brevet Brigadier General at the age of twenty. He had some successes in the Revolutionary War as an officer and was involved in a number of battles. Here; he began to display his fastening on a father figure; only to turn on that person when disappointed (in this case; General Horatio Gates).Wilkinson was rather cold to others--but one exception was his first wife; Ann Biddle; whom he married in 1778. After the war; he moved west to make his fortune. However; he enjoyed a high living style with his wife and was perpetually in debt. He tried to make money through land in Kentucky. He suffered from bad breaks over time. He reentered the military; and through a variety of breaks ended up being the senior military officer in the army (after the death of "Mad" Anthony Wayne). Too; he began to supply the Spanish with information and even plotted (apparently) to create favorable political situations for Spain--in return for a ready supply of Spanish money. Thus; he became; if you will; a double agent. He was the top American general--and in the employ of Spain. At one point; he alerted Spain to the Lewis and Clark expedition--and a Spanish force actually followed up by trying to find and destroy the expedition; based on Wilkinson's report.In the end; though; he was caught up in the Burr conspiracy and had to make a choice. He chose to be loyal to the United States and ratted out Burr. This; itself; led to great difficulties for him; as Burr in his trial certainly raised the issue of Wilkinson's involvement.Nonetheless; Wilkinson continued; although he faced more and more scrutiny and suspicion from the Madison Administration. After a military success in Florida; he lost his way with the government in his efforts to lead a portion of the American forces in combat in Canada. The sad denouement to his life is depicted (after the death of his first wife; he married a much younger woman and appears to have experienced a second happy marriage).A well done work on someone who played both sides of the street; engaged in obviously improper behavior (to put it mildly); and served as the top officer in the American military. What a story!
