In this magnificently illustrated cultural history—the tie-in to the PBS and BBC series The Story of the Jews—Simon Schama details the story of the Jewish experience; tracing it across three millennia; from their beginnings as an ancient tribal people to the opening of the New World in 1492 to the modern day.It is a story like no other: an epic of endurance against destruction; of creativity in oppression; joy amidst grief; the affirmation of life against the steepest of odds.It spans the millennia and the continents—from India to Andalusia and from the bazaars of Cairo to the streets of Oxford. It takes you to unimagined places: to a Jewish kingdom in the mountains of southern Arabia; a Syrian synagogue glowing with radiant wall paintings; the palm groves of the Jewish dead in the Roman catacombs. And its voices ring loud and clear; from the severities and ecstasies of the Bible writers to the love poems of wine bibbers in a garden in Muslim Spain.In The Story of the Jews; the Talmud burns in the streets of Paris; massed gibbets hang over the streets of medieval London; a Majorcan illuminator redraws the world; candles are lit; chants are sung; mules are packed; ships loaded with spice and gems founder at sea.And a great story unfolds. Not—as often imagined—of a culture apart; but of a Jewish world immersed in and imprinted by the peoples among whom they have dwelled; from the Egyptians to the Greeks; from the Arabs to the Christians.Which makes the story of the Jews everyone's story; too.
#1221711 in Books 2005-03-29 2005-03-29Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.00 x .90 x 5.31l; .74 #File Name: 0060524049400 pages
Review
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful. The Monitor the Merrimack ignite the imaginationBy Tom KnappJames L. Nelson brings their famous conflict to the fore in Reign of Iron; a historical study of the events leading up to and proceeding after the battle. The book begins with the Merrimack; newly recommissioned Virginia; steaming into its first battle and decimating the Union navy's proud wooden ships blockading Hampden Roads; and the Monitor; after struggling through rough seas down the coast; arriving on the scene at the end of a hard day's fighting. But Nelson; a master tactician himself; tears readers away before the two ironclads meet; taking us back to the beginning of the war and the race by North and South to develop ironclad vessels for battle.Nelson carries readers quickly but thoroughly through the process; switching perspectives from North to South as each ship takes shape. Before you know it; you'll find yourself back at Hampden Roads on March 8; 1862 -- Virginia has ruled the day; leaving the pride of the Union's fleet -- the Congress and the Cumberland -- as smoking ruins; and the Minnesota aground in the shallow waters and waiting only for sunrise on March 9 for Virginia to finish the job.But the Monitor; with timing worthy of a Hollywood blockbuster; arrived late on the 8th. Its diminutive size didn't inspire much confidence among sailors of the massive frigates who'd been bested that day; but the plucky iron "cheese box;" as it was called; placed herself at Minnesota's side and defended her admirably. For hours; the two iron ships pounded each other with their big guns -- ultimately doing little real damage to each other; but stalemating in a spectacular fashion.Nelson; a practiced novelist; shows his storytelling skills here by keeping history from being dry despite the long list of characters who appear in the narrative and the lengthy technical explanations that the story requires. This is a thoroughly enjoyable book that will appeal to history buffs; particularly those who enjoy Civil War or battles at sea.by Tom Knapp; Rambles.(net) editor0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Fine historyBy Donald J. McmahanThe topic's been written about many times. This book adds a concise; focused account of the circumstances leading to and the details of the first real battle between armored ships. The details are absorbing and the overview is well presented also. Wondered what it was like to be in an iron ship in battle; the description is well formulated. Mr. Nelson is a good naval historian. I noticed that there's only one negative review; but it's from someone who's not read the book!2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. History at its bestBy Forrest R. LindseyThis book is so engrossing that I read the whole thing at a single sitting; well into the night! The author does a superb job of immersing the reader into the stories of the parallel protagonists; both the Confederate and Union teams; until the pivotal battle between them. This author has the rare gift of making the personalities and the time come alive again and he has the solid nautical background to help the reader understand the context of these technologies and the men that made them come about. If you have any interest at all in history; buy this book - you won't regret it.
