Koestler advances the thesis that Ashkenazi Jews are not descended from the historical Israelites of antiquity; but from Khazars; a Turkic people originating in and populating an empire north of and between the Black Sea and Caspian Sea. Koestler's hypothesis is that the Khazars - who converted to Judaism in the 8th century - migrated westwards into current Eastern Europe (primarily Ukraine; Poland; Belarus; Lithuania; Hungary and Germany) in the 12th and 13th centuries when the Khazar Empire was collapsing.
#293063 in Books Robert Cowley 2000-09-01 2000-09-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.98 x .88 x 5.94l; .98 #File Name: 0425176428416 pagesWhat If The World s Foremost Military Historians Imagine What Might Have Been
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. History put in context; brilliantly - must-read for all the fans of historyBy Marian AdamFirstly; I enjoyed this book as it was really a look behind the curtains of history itself. It reads smoothly and it serves as a much better source of information on history than any documentary book on history I have ever read.Secondly; most of the authors only set the stage of history in detail as it happened; set vaguely a course of where-it-most-likely-would-lead and then give you a space for your imagination to chew on the idea and spit out your own version of the what-if universe.Even though I expected that the alternative worlds will be described more thoroughly; I eventually realized that I am enjoying the book as it was - a chronicle of real events spiced with an exciting view of alternative turn-out of the course of the history.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Interrsting and FacinatingBy Justin WargelinInteresting historic what ifs i.e. what if FDR hadn't taken Truman as his running mate; what if Truman hadn't used the bomb on Japan(convinced me it was necessary). Facinating concepts to think about! It's amazing how much history could have turned out different!4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Interesting mix of possibilitiesBy Craig MACKINNONThis book presents a number of "counterfactual" scenarios - historical events that are considered turning points; with possibilities as to what might have happened had the event turned out differently. The most well-known examples (to westerners) are included; such as "What if the fog had lifted while Washington was evacuating Long Island" (American Revolution won by British); "What if Lee's general order hadn't been lost" (Confederacy fights Union to stand-still and gains independence); and "What if Germany had not transferred troops to the east prematurely in 1914" (Schlieffen Plan succeeds; no WWII; no Communism in Russia; etc.). But; to the credit of the book; there is much more. Historians from all eras were invited to contribute; so we have counterfactuals from the Roman Empire and Jerusalem in 701 BC up to Mao Zedong's long march.The essays are uniformly enjoyable and interesting. As pointed out by another reviewer; there is more describing what happened rather than speculating too far into the future on the consequences. For example; if Lee's order hadn't fallen into Union hands; the result may have been a decisive Confederate victory in 1862. The author (J.M. McPherson) only goes so far as to say this might have led to an armistice and recognition of the CSA. But he goes no farther - what would the world be like today if that had been the case? It might have been more appropriate (given the name of the book) for a little more speculation on long-term consequences.Having said that; many (including myself) would argue that the history does not hinge directly on single events or single people. For example; if Washington had been captured on Long Island in 1776; would the American Revolution have failed? Maybe. If so; would it have have significantly altered world history? Probably not - the French Revolution would still have occurred; and the US would have achieved independence anyway (as did England's other colonies). However; it's impossible to forsee the consequences of the fall of Jerusalem in 701 BC - would Judaism have been wiped out; and therefore would Christianity and Islam never have existed? I don't think anyone would say the only difference that seige makes is the deity to which St. Paul's Basilica is dedicated.So; whether you believe in the ability of "small" events to change history for all time or not; this is a very interesting and informative book; including a wide variety of scenarios and turning points in history; and what might have happened had the outcome been different.
