A fascinating history of the Jews, told by a master novelist, here is Chaim Potok's fascinating, moving four thousand-year history. Recreating great historical events, exporing Jewish life in its infinite variety and in many eras and places, here is a unique work by a singular Jewish voice.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
Brilliant and engaging, even page-turning, overview of the history of the Jews and Judaism:
"Each time the light returns and we are able to see the new world that has been created on the ruins of the old, we discover familiar elements of the overthrown civilization in the creativity of the new" (p. 379). Although specifically referring in this passage to those Germanic tribes who conquered and assimilated the Roman empire, this comment is a succinct encapsulation of Potok's larger narrative about the Jewish people. *Wanderings* demonstrates that the history of the Jews and of Judaism is a... more info
Comprehensive historic account:
In this work, Potok outlines the narrative of Jewish history against the canvas of world history. The Jewish people have influenced and been influenced by the world in equal measure.
Book One outlines the struggle of the Hebrew Nation, against the backdrop of ancient paganism. He discusses the Sumerian civilization in Mesopotamia, before introducing Abraham, the patriarch of the Hebrew Nation, who migrated from Ur in southern Mesopotamia, to Canaan, as recorded in the Biblical narrative.
Each... more info
Great Book:
I really enjoyed this book. Chaim really hits the nail right on the head. So elloquent and educated, a great story teller.
The Narrative wanders also:
This is one of two historical works written by the great Jewish novelist Chaim Potok. While Potok's novels are wonderful, his writing style oddly doesn't lead itself to the writing of history. This book is perhaps the lesser of the two non-fiction works he wrote: the text meanders all over the place, spending 15-20 pages on digressions that have nothing to do with the main story that he's relating. At times, it's very tedious. Potok's main point seems to be his pride in the Jews for maintaining their... more info
