A History of the Jews (Perennial Library)

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A History of the Jews (Perennial Library)

by Paul Johnson

3.96 · rating details · 303 ratings · 36 reviews

A national bestseller, this brilliant 4000 year survey covers not only Jewish history but he impact of Jewish genius and imagination on the world. By the author of "Modern Times: The World From the Twenties to the Eighties."

Paperback, 644 pages

Published September 14th 1988 by Harper & Row

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May 09, 2011

Elaine rated it

· review of another edition

This history of the Jews is written through the ideas of a devout Christian who believes, i think wrongly, that Jesus intended to abandon Judaism in order to start a new religion . Yet, Johnson's own account of Jesus' ministry confirms that Jesus, a student and follower of Hillel, had as His mission the aim of getting Jews to practice what they preached

Before enlarging upon this perhaps controversial claim, we should consider Johnson's reasons for writing the 4000 year recorded histo...moreThis history of the Jews is written through the ideas of a devout Christian who believes, i think wrongly, that Jesus intended to abandon Judaism in order to start a new religion . Yet, Johnson's own account of Jesus' ministry confirms that Jesus, a student and follower of Hillel, had as His mission the aim of getting Jews to practice what they preached

Before enlarging upon this perhaps controversial claim, we should consider Johnson's reasons for writing the 4000 year recorded history of the Jews. First, there's that fact: it is a 4000 year history, the longest continuous history of any people, a history known not only through the Bible, but through ancient writings of people the Jews came in contact with We know about the Jews from cuniform tablets, papyruses, steles' sculptures, comparative mythologies and fragments of ancient history, as well as from archaeological investigation

However, it's not their longevity alone that fascinates Johnson It's that from Abraham's first entry on the historical scene up to modern times, Jews had a vision of man's purpose, of the dignity of the individual and the equality of all before God. In his epilogue, Johnson asks what the world would have been without the insistence of Jews on these values He admits someone else might have come along and preached these ideas, but they didn't and the Jews did. Jesus died at the hands of the Romans for such preaching. That Jesus expected Jews to believe as He did is shown by his calling some Pharisees hypocrites. A hypocrite is one who supposedly ascribes to what you believe, but doesn't practice it.

Johnson admits that Jesus was a student of the Pharisee Hillel Indeed, having been raised on Hillel's teachings, while reading the Gospels, I was surprised that Jesus quoted that sage so often.

Johnson does tell the famous story of Hillel and the pagan When the pagan asked Hillel to explain Judaism while he stood on one leg, Hillel said,"Do not do unto others whatyou wouldn't have them do unto you. All else is commentary."

Johnson derides Hillel's answer because, Johnson says, to be Jewish you still had to follow the Law, by which he means the Kosher laws, Sabbath rules , and male circumcision. What Johnson fails to understand is that the laws don't have to be followed for salvation. They are followed as reminders to be pure and good and never to forget your duty to God and man. Following the letter of the law and not being a good and charitable person doesn't make you a good Jew Not only was that Hillel's point, but it is both explicit and implicit in Leviticus. Or does Johnson reject the advanced morality of that book, a morality which underlies current charity, labor law, injury law and ethical dealing? Leviticus is part of Jewish law. Does Johnson believe Jesus intended that to be ababdoned?

Johnson says Jesus rode into Jerusalem on Passover with the intent of starting a new religion. Yes, he created havoc with the hated money changers. But He was not alone in despising the Jewish priesthood: the Sadducees.The Jews already hated them and of course they were done away with by Rabbinical Judaism

Jesus' anger was very Jewish at the time. No most people then or now wouldnt create an overt disturbance, but Jesus was not alone among his contemporariee

Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, carrying a palm frond, like all devout Jews making the Passover pilgrimage. That evening, like all Jewish leaders at the Seder, he blessed the wine, using a Kiddush cup--what Christians call a chalice. He then followed the order of the Seder by blessing the Matzoh (unleavened bread) . All this is ordinary Judaism

Johnson claims that Jesus was establishing communion so that the wine stood for his blood and the bread for his body. Well, first of all, Jews don't eat blood. Kosher Jews salt their meat to rid it of blood The Kiddush and Motzi are regular features of Jewish holy days and have nothing to do with communion.

However, the Greek festival of Demeter, well known to Romans and other pagans, aswell as Grecophiles did feature participants drinking wine and eating bread so they could have eternal life. This seems to be a more likely origin of Communion than Jesus' leading the Seder The Gospels were written 100 years and more after Jesus and they were written in Greek

The reason I gave this only 3 stars is that, despite the excellence and impartiality of most of this history, Johnson's proselytizing at the end is inappropriate for the history he purported to be writing Also with his knowledge of classics, he should have noted the Greek origins of Communion. Moreover, the history ofthe Jews didn't end with Jesus as Johnson shows, so why did he interjectChristian proselytizing in his history of Jews?(less)

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Jun 19, 2009

Erik rated it

This caught me up on Biblical mumbo jumbo, the dawn of rabbinism, all the juicy violent tidbits about the Spanish Inquisition, Russian pogroms, French conspiracy theory, and Holocaust. Finally it updated my about the origins of Zionism, and helped my have a deeper understanding of the ongoing Arab/Israeli conflict. This book does seem to have a Jewish favoritism thing going on...yet it was written by a Christian. You sort of get to see the dilemma of the religion of Judaism, and the race of J...more

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Jan 25, 2010

Kim rated it

This was very well done. The author seemed to mainain his objectivity, although that is always up for debate, I guess. I found the ancient history and the modern history equally enjoyable, perhaps because I have some basic knowledge in these areas, but the middle history (1000-1800) was pretty much all new to me and helps complete the picture. I remember a plant from my childhood that we called a "Wandering Jew" and I finally understand the meaning of this phrase (if not why it is appl...more

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Mar 03, 2011

QVT rated it

It's a tough book to read. It's relatively well written, although I've seen better organized histories. Obviously it was something of a monumental task and getting it together in this form is impressive. It's just so depressing. Johnson tries his best to make it sound like we haven't spent the better part of four thousand years being treated as "sub-humans" or not human at all. Tries and fails, it must be said. A noble failure.

The major complaints I had: The ancient history...more

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Sep 15, 2011

Jeffrey Cohan rated it

Shelves: history, judaism

This book was written by one of the most prominent historians of the 20st Century, and as a best-seller in the late 80s, has certainly been read by a large number of non-Jews. But this book should be read by every Jew who lacks a full appreciation for what Judaism has contributed to modern civilization. And the vast majority of Jews fit that description.

It isn't so much what Johnson will teach you – it's how he says it, how he transmits the essence. To wit, here is part of his descript...moreThis book was written by one of the most prominent historians of the 20st Century, and as a best-seller in the late 80s, has certainly been read by a large number of non-Jews. But this book should be read by every Jew who lacks a full appreciation for what Judaism has contributed to modern civilization. And the vast majority of Jews fit that description.

It isn't so much what Johnson will teach you – it's how he says it, how he transmits the essence. To wit, here is part of his description of Moses:

"[He was] a man of intense spirituality, … hating injustice, fervently seeking to create a Utopia, a man who not only acted as intermediary between G-d and man but sought to translate the most intense idealism into practical statesmanship, and noble concepts into details of everyday life."

Johnson credits the Jews with assuming responsibility to "take the lead in turning a savage and irrational world into a reasonable one, conforming to the divine and perfect intellect."

Johnson traces Jews' connection to progressive politics to the Bible and to the Prophetic tradition, referring to it at one point as the Amos Syndrome.

I was particularly struck by the intellectual vigor that Johnson brings to the interpretation of Jewish history. For instance, he places Einstein in the Jewish tradition of trying to make sense of the universe, while he laments that the general theory of relativity has been misappropriated and mischaracterized by adherents of moral relativism.

Jewish passivity during Holocaust, which is a generalization rife with exceptions, is insightfully explained by Johnson. It's also worth noting that Johnson, a Catholic, comes down squarely on the side of those who believe Pope Pius XII was shamefully negligent during the genocide.

The book concludes with an emphatic reminder of the Jews’ monumental contributions to modern civilization. Johnson writes:

“To them we owe the idea of equality before the law, both divine and human; of the sanctity of life and the dignity of the human person; of the individual conscience and so of personal redemption; of the collective conscience and so of social responsibility; of peace as an abstract ideal and love as the foundation of justice, and many other items which constitute the basic moral furniture of the human mind.”

And precisely because they are part of the “basic moral furniture of the human mind,” Jews seldom get credit for these ideas. Perhaps Jews would better appreciate their inheritance if they read this book. Coming from the likes of Paul Johnson, such praise cannot be dismissed as self-congratulatory ethnocentrism, even if my review can be dismissed as such.
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Jan 17, 2008

Ray rated it

Its one of those highly anecdotal, tart, opinionated, under-footnoted, rambling British style histories, like Owen Chadwick's Secularization of the European Mind, or Peter Brown on Augustine, or one of Thomas Cahill's popular books. I'm sure Johnson is way off at points (I don't know enough to know where). And he is way to sympathetic to his subject to be balanced. He's a neo-con politically, spending the early '80s with the American Enterprise Institute, hanging out with Zionist Jews like Irvin...more

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Jun 14, 2011

Manugw rated it

COLOSSAL WORK

Ranging from Abraham first steps out of Ur to contemporary Israel, you will find that every single chronological statement or explanation is the product of a very deep research, and this is what it makes this book so valuable
It is also very important to highlight that even though Johnson is not Jewish, this book is cited as a reference material by prominent Rabbies and recommended by many highly qualified Jewish websites as a classic for consultation

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May 14, 2008

Anna West rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: Jews

I got it for Sid but then I didn't have a book so I've been reading it instead. there is no way he is going to get through it. This book is really interesting. It starts wih the first Jew, Abraham and traces from the Old Testament the lives of Jews all the way to present day. I thought it would be fascinating to have a copy of the bible nearby (I don't) to compare passages with those in the book, because it pretty much follows it chronologically.
That being said, I didn't even make it throu...more

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Feb 07, 2012

Mike rated it

I have the ancient history of the Jews by Josephus, but haven't read it yet. Johnson's is comprehensive, and multifaceted, as all of his books are, talking about movements, thoughts and ideas that have shaped the rich and amazing history of this numerically small, but highly influential people through time. A great read for anyone!

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Apr 08, 2008

Julián rated it

Aunque abiertamente pro-mercadolibre, es una de las más detenidas investigaciones que existen sobre el pueblo judío, pues trasciende los hábitos de la historia positivista-documental y entrecruza referencias con otras disciplinas como la arqueología, la antropología y la hermenéutica comparada; con la ventaja adicional de que, al ser una mirada externa y no antisemita, permite ver lo mismo la crueldad y supersticiones que han aparecido en el devenir de esta cultura que su ancestral racionalismo,...more

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Sep 03, 2010

Rick rated it

Very informative but extremely long. I made it to the 19th century and gave up on it. This book provides fine detail of the history of Jews. Too much detail for my taste. I would prefer something with more generalizations.

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Jan 28, 2011

Chrissy rated it

This isn't the type of book I just sit and read through. I consider it somewhat of a reference book and I really do like Paul Johnson as a writer. I like his perspective and approach.

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Jun 23, 2011

Sue rated it

Shelves: religion-old-testament, religion-reference

First borrowed from the library and then purchased. Very readable. Great explanations of the experiences of the Israelites (BC times) when serving the state vs serving Yahweh, the necessity of the state when defending against neighboring and warring countries, the growth and codification of Jewishness during the Babylonian captivity and how that captivity was beneficial ...

Compared to other books I'm currently reading on same subject, this account is longer, wordier (but not offensi...more

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Jan 20, 2012

Damián Lanza marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Cuando complete la colección con: la historia del islamismo y la historia del cristanismo lo leere.

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Nov 08, 2009

Liza rated it

Incredibly informative for anyone who wants to get an understanding of the place Jews hold in today's world.

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Dec 16, 2008

Cherilyn rated it

It is a bit dry at some areas but generally I liked it. Very interesting on how Jews came to be...

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May 30, 2009

Bryan Blakeman rated it

I wish every Christian would read this and understand your part in it.

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Sep 23, 2010

Craig J. added it

A History of the Jews by Paul M. Johnson (1988)

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Jan 22, 2010

Andre rated it

This is a large epic volume on God's Chosen People.

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Jul 27, 2009

Steve Hemmeke rated it

Packed with info, but not encyclopedic; insightful

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Apr 09, 2009

Rob rated it

this book is so fascinating - especially the rise of 19th century leftist radicalism and the secular-jewish intelligentsia... however parts of the holocaust and WWII discussion are at odds with some things i read in "rise and fall of the 3rd reich" which makes me wonder about Johnson's objectivity. he also uses the word "adumbrate" about 300 times so you probably want to look that one up. i did but i promise never to use it. also, the closer i get to the end, the longer it...more

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Sep 04, 2007

Patrick Novak rated it

Recommends it for: Anyone

This is the best religious book I have ever read.
The best book on human history I have ever read.
Shows the common history that all of our modern religions share and the struggle for power, deception and lunacy that is humanity in fighting for one religious view over others. No religion is right. We are all decedents from one ancestor and we owe it to others to respect other opinions and views and save humankind from repeating the mistakes of the past which we don't seem to be able ...more

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Sep 06, 2011

Rowdy Scarlett rated it

Shelves: religion

Big book on Jewish history. Well written and an interesting read.

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Oct 13, 2010

Nate Blez rated it

great novel

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Jul 08, 2010

Cool marked it as to-read

M&D SHELVES

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Jun 19, 2010

Widsith marked it as to-read

A History of the Jews by Paul M. Johnson (1988)

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Feb 01, 2008

Irina rated it

Recommends it for: Alexander

It's a wonderful book! I bought it before my trip to Israel as a comprehensive guide that would give me an insight to the country. It just happen to be so much more!
I would highly recommend it to anybody who loves history and would like to learn more about the correlation between biblical stories and the archeological findings; the history of Judaism, its law and tradition.

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Aug 08, 2011

Bob Mendelsohn rated it

Johnson's history is the best one out there. The only down side is the erudition with which he writes, which precludes some from gaining full access to the links with other history, that is, other global situations. But his demand in this regard is right, and others will just have to catch up.
H

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Jun 23, 2008

Ezra Hood rated it

a terrific, and immensely informative, read. My mom has long maintained that our family culture is very Jewish; I always wondered what that meant.

Johnson's history cleared that up! And she's right-- we are Jewish-ish.

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Nov 03, 2007

Kinga marked it as to-read

I am very interested in the subject of this book. Though it has been on my to-read list long enough that I no longer remember why I chose this particular one out of so many others on this topic.

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About Paul Johnson

Paul Johnson works as a historian, journalist and author. He was educated at Stonyhurst School in Clitheroe, Lancashire and Magdalen College, Oxford, and first came to prominence in the 1950s as a journalist writing for, and later editing, the New Statesman magazine. He has also written for leading newspapers and magazines in Britain, the US and Europe.

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