America's Prophet: Moses and the American Story

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America's Prophet: Moses and the American Story

by Bruce Feiler

3.64 · rating details · 175 ratings · 68 reviews

The exodus story is America's story. Moses is our real founding father.

The pilgrims quoted his story. Franklin and Jefferson proposed he appear on the U.S. seal. Washington and Lincoln were called his incarnations. The Statue of Liberty and Superman were molded in his image. Martin Luther King, Jr., invoked him the night before he died. Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama ci

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Hardcover, 368 pages

Published by William Morrow & Company

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Dec 14, 2010

Sher rated it

I really really liked this book, and I am sure it has changed the way look at history, and many key figures in it, particularly the way I look at the founding of America. But there was an underlying tone I did not like. The author, Bruce Feiler, was Jewish. I have no argument with that, and I appreciate his point of view and totally understand it. The part I did not like was his comparison of Moses and Jesus Christ. He in effect dis-empowers Christ and gives all credit to Moses. I understa...more

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Apr 10, 2011

Kristen rated it

The research, writing, and topic of this book pushed me through it over just a few engrossing reading sessions.

They aren't really that representative of the whole, but these paragraphs and parts of paragraphs, from near the end, were provocative (and concise) to me. Here they are, for my historian friends:

What will I tell my children about the meaning of Moses?

First, the power of story. Exodus opens with a memorable statement: 'A new king arose over Egypt w...more

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Feb 05, 2010

Judy rated it

I've read several books by Bruce Feiler and was intrigued with the theme of this book--that Moses has been linked with the history of the United States since the beginning. Feiler begins to build his case by looking at the way in which both the colonists in Jamestown and Plymouth referred to themselves in terms of leaving England to find the Promised Land much as Moses led the Jews out of bondage from Egypt. Moses was frequently referred to during the colonial period, the Revolution, the Feder...more

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Jan 02, 2010

Bill Hall rated it

Shelves: religion, history

When you think of America's Founding Fathers, several names come to mind; Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and countless other leaders of the era. One name that probably doesn't pop up in your thoughts quickly is Moses. But that will change when you read Bruce Feiler's latest book, "America's Prophet." In these pages he makes a persuasive argument that Moses has been the thread connecting American history since the first Pilgrims landed on the Atlantic Shore. Thro...more

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Dec 16, 2009

Joan rated it

No book deserves five stars, but I loved it. Feiler documents the way Moses has been used as a major figure in the founding of America and beyond. I love the way he does his research and the way he writes.

The following is from the reviewer: The exodus story is America's story. Moses is our real founding father.

The pilgrims quoted his story. Franklin and Jefferson proposed he appear on the U.S. seal. Washington and Lincoln were called his incarnations. The Statue of Lib...moreNo book deserves five stars, but I loved it. Feiler documents the way Moses has been used as a major figure in the founding of America and beyond. I love the way he does his research and the way he writes.

The following is from the reviewer: The exodus story is America's story. Moses is our real founding father.

The pilgrims quoted his story. Franklin and Jefferson proposed he appear on the U.S. seal. Washington and Lincoln were called his incarnations. The Statue of Liberty and Superman were molded in his image. Martin Luther King, Jr., invoked him the night before he died. Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama cited him as inspiration. For four hundred years, one figure inspired more Americans than any other. His name is Moses.

In this groundbreaking book, New York Times bestselling author Bruce Feiler travels through touchstones in American history and traces the biblical prophet's influence from the Mayflower through today. He visits the island where the pilgrims spent their first Sabbath, climbs the bell tower where the Liberty Bell was inscribed with a quote from Moses, retraces the Underground Railroad where "Go Down, Moses" was the national anthem of slaves, and dons the robe Charlton Heston wore in The Ten Commandments.

"Even a cursory review of American history indicates that Moses has emboldened leaders of all stripes," Feiler writes, "patriot and loyalist, slave and master, Jew and Christian. Could the persistence of his story serve as a reminder of our shared national values? Could he serve as a unifying force in a disunifying time? If Moses could split the Red Sea, could he unsplit America?"

One part adventure story, one part literary detective story, one part exploration of faith in contemporary life, America's Prophet takes readers through the landmarks of America's narrative—from Gettysburg to Selma, the Silver Screen to the Oval Office—to understand how Moses has shaped the nation's character.

Meticulously researched and highly readable, America's Prophet is a thrilling, original work of history that will forever change how we view America, our faith, and our future.
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Jan 04, 2010

Naomi King rated it

Shelves: history, religion

I was delighted that a book I learned about from Diane Rehm's interview December 22, 2009 with Bruce Feiler, is such an extraordinary read.

Well organized, so that each chapter could stand on its, with a personal narrative woven throughout, Feiler draws the major American cultural and historical events connected to Moses -- in Egypt, at Pesach, around the Golden Calf, and at Mt. Nebo. Particularly challenging to some will be the reflections on Martin Luther King, Jr., perhaps because...more

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Mar 15, 2010

Kristi rated it

This book was recommended on Glenn Beck's show once, but I found it very disappointing...
1. this is a Jewish author that didn't even know that the 10 plagues were each an attack on an Egyptian god. He called them nuisances. Nuisance? Yah, they were a little more than that.
2. He called God impulsive. He said Moses talked God out of being impulsive.
3. He is anti-Catholic, but he's anti-Catholic without really understanding Catholics. Typical.
4. He said Christians d...more

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Oct 24, 2009

Derek Emerson rated it

Shelves: 2009-books-read

Ask the average American for the most influential person in the Bible and you'll likely hear "Jesus." Not so, says Bruce Feiler, who has made a career of bringing new life to old (but beloved) texts. Feiler keeps his wandering closer to home this time (he has traveled religious lands extensively) as he explores the importance of Moses in American history. Actually, importance is an understatement. According to Feiler, "you can't understand American history...without understanding ...moreAsk the average American for the most influential person in the Bible and you'll likely hear "Jesus." Not so, says Bruce Feiler, who has made a career of bringing new life to old (but beloved) texts. Feiler keeps his wandering closer to home this time (he has traveled religious lands extensively) as he explores the importance of Moses in American history. Actually, importance is an understatement. According to Feiler, "you can't understand American history...without understanding Moses." He misses little ground in laying out his case, tracing the role of Moses in the Pilgrims, the Revolution, George Washington, the Underground Railroad, the Civil War, the Statue of Liberty, Hollywood, Superman, and the Civil Rights Movement.

One of Feiler's strengths as a writer is seeking out new perspectives and discounting no one. He learns as much from scholars as he does from random conversations in part because he is interested in how issues impact people. Some of his ground here is well trodden, such as the United States founders interpreting their story as that of Moses, or seeing how the slaves found inspiration in the Moses story. But Feiler notes the slave owners used the same story for inspiration, especially as the Civil War approrached.

Therein lies a crucial argument for Feiler to address. Just because people have taken on the Moses story does not mean they were inspired by it. Indeed, some of what we see here is one of most common misuses of the Bible, where we appropriate scripture to justify whatever issue we wish to address. There is no doubt some of this is occurring with some of these examples, but that does not lessen the overall argument. But it is what makes Feiler's unusual subjects all the more interesting. His discussion of Cecil B DeMille's "Ten Commandments" movie shows how this was not just another movie for the famed director, but a chance to use the story of Moses to move American forward (as he felt it should). Even more interesting is the too short section on the creation of Superman as a modern-day Moses, a connection not missed by Hitler who banned the "Jewish" comic book.

By the end of the book the natural question is, so what? What do all these connections mean? Feiler anticipates the questions and summarizes his argument with three main themes. First, the story arises again and again because it tells of "the courage to escape oppression and seek the Promised Land." This aspect of the Exodus story is why so many people around the world can relate to the story. Anywhere and any time people are oppressed, the story of a people who break free from that oppression against all odds is inspiring.

Feiler's second theme is "the tension between freedom and law." Throughout the book this comes forth as one of Feiler's most interesting points. Moses realizes that freedom without law is chaos and receives the Ten Commandments. As the Pilgrims prepare to land they create their own set of laws, and during the Civil Rights movement they seek to overturn unjust laws but not escape the responsibility which comes with freedom. In the end the concept which best captures this is that of covenant, an agreement between individuals and their community, and for many, between their community and God. Current society clearly focuses on the idea of freedom over responsibility, and a reminder of this needed balance is important.

Finally, Feiler says a third theme is "the building of a society that welcomes the outsider and uplifts the downtrodden." This is not simply some left-wing interpretation of the Moses story. Instead, Feiler focuses on God's compassion to the Israelites throughout the Exodus story; if God shows such compassion, it is expected from the people as well.

So where is Moses today? Feiler and others offer no current models (Martin Luther King Jr. being the clearest, recent example). But then Moses is not meant to be around at all times. Instead, a Moses arises out of oppression when people need to be led forward, so it is certain that another Moses will appear at some point in the future. In the meantime, the Passover tradition is one which calls on people to remember the Exodus story, and now Feiler has given us the American Passover version of remembering this story and this person so we can be prepared for the next Moses.
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Dec 08, 2010

Jesse Schexnayder rated it

Shelves: kindle, loaned

If any one individual can be tied to the American story, it is Moses and his story of Exodus. From the earliest Puritans to the pop culture of Superman and on to the civil rights marches, Moses's struggle to achieve freedom from oppression for his people, and the moral ideals demanded by living with the consequences of that success run in a common stream through every great American struggle and achievement. And this is because the Mosaic law, unbeknownst to many modern Americans, is the primary...more

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Jan 16, 2012

Jana rated it

Shelves: thought-provoking, nonfiction

Fascinating! The idea of the narrative of the Exodus, the Moses story, being woven throughout the entire history of the United States is surprising at first, but makes sense the more you read about it. So many public figures and even icons such as the Liberty Bell have been compared to or linked with Moses, as has the entire story of our country.
As a Christian, the one facet I felt was missing was at least a greater acknowledgment that the Moses story is so fundamental for our faith becaus...more

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Nov 18, 2010

Robert rated it

Written in a light, entertaining style, this is a survey of the symbolic significance of the Exodus narrative in the self-consciousness of America - the persisting importance of that paradigm in the way Americans view themselves. Regarding this as a continuing theme in the nation's history, Feiler seeks to demonstrate that whenever Americans were struggling to free themselves from oppression - whether from religious conformity or monarchical rule, whether from the injustice of slavery or of "...moreWritten in a light, entertaining style, this is a survey of the symbolic significance of the Exodus narrative in the self-consciousness of America - the persisting importance of that paradigm in the way Americans view themselves. Regarding this as a continuing theme in the nation's history, Feiler seeks to demonstrate that whenever Americans were struggling to free themselves from oppression - whether from religious conformity or monarchical rule, whether from the injustice of slavery or of "Jim Crow", they remembered the Old Testament story and saw themselves as Israelites, as being "way down in Egypt land". And whoever led them on the path to liberation was soon regarded as the new Moses, with the goal being the "Promised Land". Feiler gathers together the stories that illustrate this theme, that highlight the influence of the Exodus narrative on American history (e.g., the Puritans' Errand into the Wilderness, the Civil Rights Movement). He retells them, emphasizing whatever similarities there may be to the Biblical narrative of escape from oppression. And he finds many striking parallels. Especially uncanny is the coincidence that many of our Moses figures (Lincoln, King) died before achieving success, before entering the Promised Land. Other of his found parallels are rather superficial (he compares escaped slaves fleeing across the Ohio River to the Israelites crossing the Sea of Reeds). He even finds a resemblance to the "Sinai Moment" in the Mayflower Compact and the U. S. Constitution; see this similarity in the giving/accepting of a new law - in that the newly freed bound themselves to a new Covenant, limited their just acquired freedom by accepting responsibility for each other. This viewing of American history through the prism of the Exodus is quite uplifting. Is so because Feiler stays positive, he carries the search for parallels only so far. He makes no effort to find less inspiring comparisons. For example, no comparisons are made between the fate of the Canaanites and that of the Native Americans. Nor does he consider how the concept of being "The Chosen People" might lead to a swaggering arrogance, an overweening disparagement of other nations, other cultures. But this book is not intended to be critical history - is rather a proud celebration of America. And Feiler is quite good at this. It truly is an uplifting book, one written by a man proud of his country, proud of the influence his Jewish faith has had on its history, on its ideals. He highlights the best in our history - stirs the best type of patriotism. Sometimes this is necessary; sometimes when the future looks dark, it is a "good thing" to remember the glories of the past. (less)

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Nov 19, 2011

Stephen rated it

· review of another edition

I listened to the audio-book to get a new perspective on this country since it seems to have went so far downhill recently. Moses would definitely not find censorship a good thing. He would not deny that man causes climate change. He would not be have accepted the new breed of corporate Pharaohs. I found the story rather inspiring, Moses was quite the fellow. I especially liked how the author remarked on Martin Luther King Jr's struggle and how he drew inspiration from Moses. Bruce's speech patt...more

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Mar 14, 2010

Maphead rated it

Shelves: best-read-in-2010

Bruce Feiler’s America’s Prophet: Moses and the American Story is yet another book I discovered through the History Book Club catalog that I was able to grab from my local library. I’ve been curious about this author for several years, ever since a co-worker of mine spoke favorably of his books Walking the Bible and Where God Was Born. So, despite having a mountain of unread library books waiting for me at home, I grabbed America’s Prophet. And I’m really glad I did.

By traveling ...more

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Jul 29, 2011

Jean Perry rated it

Well, i wouldn't say Moses is our real founding father, i would say that the Moses/Exodus story is a long, exciting, adventurous Biblical story brought to many of our lives by Charleston Heston, but to previous generations by their ministers and Bible reading. The themes are universal: oppression, liberation, making a .new society. So, it was appealing to many of our ancestors and easily used in quotations, etc., that doesn't make Moses a founding father.

There were interesting bits of informati...more

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Aug 18, 2010

Jennifer rated it

Shelves: history-politics, non-fiction

Overall, this was an excellent book. I struggled in the first 100 pages - as maybe the author struggled to choose a tense or a voice. He jumps from 1st person to third, then engages in conversational dialogue. It kind of drove me crazy. However, eventually we hit a stride. The discussion of how the story Moses has been evoked throughout American history was fascinating. I most enjoyed the sections on emancipation and the civil rights movement.

A couple of interesting quotes:

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Feb 25, 2010

Lauren Schwartz rated it

Interesting look into the inspiration that the story of Moses has provided to the many historic figures in America. I especially enjoyed the narratives about Cecil B DeMille and his making of 'The Ten Commandments'. Plenty of interesting facts I would not have known heard otherwise. The chapters about MLK Jr. were also moving. I enjoy books like this for the details concerning real events, the special anecdotes.

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Sep 19, 2011

Laureen rated it

This book talks about the role Moses has played as "the" prophet of the American experience - from the American Revolution, to slavery and the Underground Railroad, to the Civil Rights movement of the 1960's. I particularly liked Feiler's assertion that the children of Israel weren't really free when they left Egypt. It was not until they chose to hold themselves to a higher law - given to them at Sinai through Moses - that they truly had the capacity to be free. He then compared the...more

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Nov 23, 2010

Jennifer rated it

· review of another edition

From my book review blog Rundpinne....."While I found Feiler’s accounts of history to be interesting and his ideas to be intriguing, I must say that is about as far as America’s Prophet moved me."....The Full review may be read here.

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Jul 28, 2011

Mason added it

I was reluctant to take this on a plane for fear Feiler would not be able to stitch together disperate parts of American history with a common thread of Moses. Heavens, was I wrong. Though certainly episodic (a la Walking the Bible) he keeps the narrative moving through some of the most proud and some of the most horrifying scenes from US history.

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Jan 08, 2010

Joan is currently reading it

I am a Bruce Feiler fan, having read "Walking the Bible " First and then "Where God was Born" and I also saw him on a PBS Special as he gave us a tour of the Mount Sinai region. I am loving this book, espcially since we are beginning the study of the Old Testament this year in Sunday School and our last lesson was all about Moses.

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Jul 16, 2010

Dennis Henn rated it

It surprised me how often Moses is called on during times of national crisis. More so than Jesus, Moses as the liberator and law giver has inspired the Pilgrims, the Founding Fathers, the abolitionists, the design of the Statue of Liberty, the Civil Rights Movement, and Jews. Deuteronomy 34 (Choose life), in particular, has been consequential.

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Jun 26, 2010

Natalie rated it

I really enjoyed this book! The author kept things moving along really well while teaching about his discoveries of how Moses was intertwined into the building up of our country. From the Mayflower to slavery to the Statue of Liberty, Moses was a HUGE influence on so many parts of our country. Loved it!

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Feb 22, 2010

Ellenh rated it

This book was a struggle to read, but by the last half I was glad I was doing it. Had I given up, I never would have known the connection to Moses in our country, never dreamed that he was such inspiration to our founding fathers as well as to the Statue of Liberty and the civil rights movement, even Cecil B. DeMille! But it fits, Feiler sees 3 themes, 'escaping oppression, seeking the promised land...tension between freedom and law...building a society that welcomes the outsider and uplifts the...more

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Mar 17, 2011

Hollie added it

Absolutely wonderful book... was NOT able to put it down, and I'm not a big reader at all... Loved the history of our America, and seeing how even in those who were not professing Christians, seeing how God was all over it! I had this book read in a matter of 2 weeks, which is record speed for me.

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Feb 01, 2010

James rated it

This was a good read and provides an interesting perspective on the American story. While the premise got overplayed (in my opinion) in the middle of the book, Feiler did a good job reaching his crescendo at the right time and ending with a thoughtful, relevant message. Recommended.

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Jul 23, 2011

Margaret Sankey added it

Cataloging the spectrum of political uses to which Americans have put the Exodus story, including the Mayflower Compact, Liberty Bell, Slaveholders, Slaves, Freemasons, Abolitionists, Superman, Isolationists, American Jews, Neo-Cons and Progressives. And Charlton Heston, as Moses.

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Dec 27, 2009

Lisa rated it

Shelves: nonfiction, nonfiction-political, nonfiction-spiritual-religious

This book is highly recommended by Glenn Beck, but I found that much of the information I learned in Sunday school, personal study, history class, and by paying attention to what is happening in the world. Food for thought--the author discusses Moses and then looks for the Moses types of the United States.

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Jan 21, 2011

John rated it

A very easy, yet fascinating book. I love the mix of history, inspiration & Bible scholarship that went into making this book. This book will help anyone who reads it understand the biblical stories that helped shape our nation.

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Sep 17, 2011

Lois rated it

· review of another edition

This was very interesting, and takes one on a journey through the many elements of Moses in the American experience. I enjoyed the parallels he found, and would like to read other works he has done.

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Feb 07, 2010

Ger rated it

Interesting book that explores the role Moses played in American's founding and the role he continues to play in America's leaders and movements. It is a "good read".

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About Bruce Feiler

Bruce Feiler is a writer on social issues and, particularly more recently, on religion. He tends to write in an accessible, conversational style, blending travelogue, interviews, autobiography, and personal musings with history and archaeology. He writes on religion from a progressive point of view. Some of his back catalog of books was republished in paperback after the commercial success of his ...more

More about Bruce Feiler...

Books by Bruce Feiler

Walking the Bible: A Journey by Land Through the Five Books of Moses

Abraham: A Journey to the Heart of Three Faiths

The Council of Dads: My Daughters, My Illness, and the Men Who Could Be Me

Learning to Bow: Inside the Heart of Japan

Where God Was Born: A Daring Adventure Through the Bible's Greatest Stories

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