Rating: 
Summary: Readable and Informative
Review: Topically organized as well as chronological, this is a good introductory history. Like all general audience works, it is bound to gloss over issues that are in debate and like, much modern Jewish history, the development of modern Israel and Zionism is sanitized. Still, this is probably one of the best popular works around and quite a pleasant read.
Rating: 
Summary: Exaggerated History
Review: While I believe that the Jews have made impressive contributions to human development (well beyond their proportion of population), this book sadly exaggerates many points and therefore makes the informed reader doubt any new information. Amongst the dubious claims:
- democracy originated with the Jews (not the Greeks)
- an indepedent judiciary began with them
- because there were Jewish populations nearby renaissance figures, they deserve credit
- because there were significant Jewish populations in countries where capitalism took off, they must have been a prerequisite Some modesty and context of the Jewish contribution to the overall effort would have been valuable. Instead, the books exaggerated claims just serves to malign their very real contributions. The section on the history of modern Israel was the most biased of all (with a combination of contempt and dismissiveness shown to the viewpoint of Arab inhabitants). Clearly, the situation in this region is complex and neither side is without fault but this book does not even make the pretence of providing a balanced view of the situation.
Rating:
Summary: An Eye-Opener
Review: While many people do not understand the history of the Diaspora, this book is a great eye-opener. No wonder it got such great reviews. Though it is obvious (from a few reviews here) that non-Jews don't like to hear good things about the Jewish People, or unfavorable things about their own history, especially from Jews, it is none-the-less a terrific synopsis of the Jewish people. To the reviewer who, after one chapter, decided the book wasn't any good, it is she who missed out. Too bad.
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