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Firstfruits: A Harvest of 25 Years of Israeli Writing,
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- GenresFiction
346 pages, Hardcover
First published December 31, 1973
About the author
James A. Michener
530 books3,684 followersJames Albert Michener is best known for his sweeping multi-generation historical fiction sagas, usually focusing on and titled after a particular geographical region. His first novel,
Tales of the South Pacific
, which inspired the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical South Pacific, won the 1948 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.
Toward the end of his life, he created the Journey Prize, awarded annually for the year's best short story published by an emerging Canadian writer; founded an MFA program now, named the Michener Center for Writers, at the University of Texas at Austin; and made substantial contributions to the James A. Michener Art Museum in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, best known for its permanent collection of Pennsylvania Impressionist paintings and a room containing Michener's own typewriter, books, and various memorabilia.
Michener's entry in Who's Who in America says he was born on Feb. 3, 1907. But he said in his 1992 memoirs that the circumstances of his birth remained cloudy and he did not know just when he was born or who his parents were.
Toward the end of his life, he created the Journey Prize, awarded annually for the year's best short story published by an emerging Canadian writer; founded an MFA program now, named the Michener Center for Writers, at the University of Texas at Austin; and made substantial contributions to the James A. Michener Art Museum in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, best known for its permanent collection of Pennsylvania Impressionist paintings and a room containing Michener's own typewriter, books, and various memorabilia.
Michener's entry in Who's Who in America says he was born on Feb. 3, 1907. But he said in his 1992 memoirs that the circumstances of his birth remained cloudy and he did not know just when he was born or who his parents were.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
April 3, 2026
In this digest, published to celebrate the 1973 25th anniversary of the re-establishment of the State of Israel, compiled and edited by James Michener, we examine 15 short stories by the cream of Israeli writing talent during the State of Israel's formative years.
This digest gives us a glimpse into the defined national culture of Israel, and the struggles of it's people.
It displays the strength and sensitivity of a people, who have re-established their roots in their native soil, a young and vigorous people, forced to live under military siege and never-ending threats of anihilation.
It also deals with human nature at it's most colourful and deep.
It illustrates adaptation to kibbutz life, of the ancient roots in the Jewish past, of childhoods growing up in Israel, and of life in Israel's cities.
This work showcases the writings of such authors as SY Agnon, Benjamin Tammuz, Amos Oz, Yithzhac Orpaz, Asher Barash, Yitzhak Shenhar, Aharon Megged, Haim Hazaz, Yehuda Yaari, Avraham B Yehoshuah, Natan Shacham, Hedda Bosem, Moshe Shamir, Yoram Kaniuk, and Hanoch Bartov.
In An Enigma Benjamin Tammuz writes of the life of an Israeli family before the death of their little girl froma mysterious illness, In Hai's Well Asher Barash deals with the dedication of a pioneer to bring water to a Jewish community in the Holy Land, Tehilah by SY Agnon speaks of the amazing life of an extraordinary woman, in Jerusalem, who lives to a great age, On Galilean Shores by Yitzhak Shenehar deals with the relationships between young pioneers near the Kinneret Sea, and The Sermon by Haim Hazaz discusses in some depth the issues of the Jewish people, and their restoration to their ancient homeland. The Wanderer and the Blind Man by Yehudah Yaari is an illustration of mysery and humanity in Jerusalem, while In A Son's Footsteps by Hanoch Bartow explores the conflict between a father and son and the tragedy of the wars that have devoured Israel's children, since her creation. In A Long Hot Day by Avraham B Yehoshuah, the pain of an Israeli family, after the father is diagnoses with cancer, is depicted, while Nomad and Viper by Amos Oz explores the tragedy of the struggles of communities in the Negev, and the tragic plight of a young Jewish woman in one of the kibbutzim, and Next of Kin by Moshe Shamir tells of the victims of the Arab terror raidns into Israel.
It is a testament to the richness of Israeli literature and Israeli life.
The book affirms the extraordinary spirit of the people of Israel,
the most humane, giving, life-affirming people on the planet--
whatever sick propaganda you might have read to the contrary.
This digest gives us a glimpse into the defined national culture of Israel, and the struggles of it's people.
It displays the strength and sensitivity of a people, who have re-established their roots in their native soil, a young and vigorous people, forced to live under military siege and never-ending threats of anihilation.
It also deals with human nature at it's most colourful and deep.
It illustrates adaptation to kibbutz life, of the ancient roots in the Jewish past, of childhoods growing up in Israel, and of life in Israel's cities.
This work showcases the writings of such authors as SY Agnon, Benjamin Tammuz, Amos Oz, Yithzhac Orpaz, Asher Barash, Yitzhak Shenhar, Aharon Megged, Haim Hazaz, Yehuda Yaari, Avraham B Yehoshuah, Natan Shacham, Hedda Bosem, Moshe Shamir, Yoram Kaniuk, and Hanoch Bartov.
In An Enigma Benjamin Tammuz writes of the life of an Israeli family before the death of their little girl froma mysterious illness, In Hai's Well Asher Barash deals with the dedication of a pioneer to bring water to a Jewish community in the Holy Land, Tehilah by SY Agnon speaks of the amazing life of an extraordinary woman, in Jerusalem, who lives to a great age, On Galilean Shores by Yitzhak Shenehar deals with the relationships between young pioneers near the Kinneret Sea, and The Sermon by Haim Hazaz discusses in some depth the issues of the Jewish people, and their restoration to their ancient homeland. The Wanderer and the Blind Man by Yehudah Yaari is an illustration of mysery and humanity in Jerusalem, while In A Son's Footsteps by Hanoch Bartow explores the conflict between a father and son and the tragedy of the wars that have devoured Israel's children, since her creation. In A Long Hot Day by Avraham B Yehoshuah, the pain of an Israeli family, after the father is diagnoses with cancer, is depicted, while Nomad and Viper by Amos Oz explores the tragedy of the struggles of communities in the Negev, and the tragic plight of a young Jewish woman in one of the kibbutzim, and Next of Kin by Moshe Shamir tells of the victims of the Arab terror raidns into Israel.
It is a testament to the richness of Israeli literature and Israeli life.
The book affirms the extraordinary spirit of the people of Israel,
the most humane, giving, life-affirming people on the planet--
whatever sick propaganda you might have read to the contrary.
Displaying 1 of 1 review