Rating: 
Summary: One of my most Treasured books
Review: "My Glorious Brothers" was once given my by a friend, about
30 years ago. He told me it was among his favorite books. I
soon found out why. Written in a beautiful, almost poetic
style, Howard Fast (a great and prolific writer) presents the
story of the Maccabees. These were the heroes of the amazing
Jewish Revolt against the mightiest world power at that time --
the Syrian-Greek Empire. From the small village of Modin, a
father and his five sons organize a rebellion to free ancient
Israel from its cruel occupiers. It is a thrilling account,
written from the perspective of Simon -- one of the five sons.
Fighting perhaps the first "guerilla war" in human history,
the Maccabees lead their nation of farmers and scholars against
the greatest organized fighting force in the world. It is a
thrilling and inspiring story of the few against the many; the
weak against the mighty. Their triumphs and sorrows are told
in one of the most moving books I have ever read. The Holiday
called Hanukah, celebrated by Jews the world over, commemorates
this incredible story.
Over the last 30 years I somehow lost this wonderful book,
and have spent years looking for another copy. I finally found
a used copy on Amazon, and paid a small ransom for it, gladly.
I am re-reading this story and will pass this book to my son.
It is truly one of the most treasured possesions in my life.
Rating:
Summary: One of my most Treasured books
Review: "My Glorious Brothers" was once given my by a friend, about
30 years ago. He told me it was among his favorite books. I
soon found out why. Written in a beautiful, almost poetic
style, Howard Fast (a great and prolific writer) presents the
story of the Maccabees. These were the heroes of the amazing
Jewish Revolt against the mightiest world power at that time --
the Syrian-Greek Empire. From the small village of Modin, a
father and his five sons organize a rebellion to free ancient
Israel from its cruel occupiers. It is a thrilling account,
written from the perspective of Simon -- one of the five sons.
Fighting perhaps the first "guerilla war" in human history,
the Maccabees lead their nation of farmers and scholars against
the greatest organized fighting force in the world. It is a
thrilling and inspiring story of the few against the many; the
weak against the mighty. Their triumphs and sorrows are told
in one of the most moving books I have ever read. The Holiday
called Hanukah, celebrated by Jews the world over, commemorates
this incredible story.
Over the last 30 years I somehow lost this wonderful book,
and have spent years looking for another copy. I finally found
a used copy on Amazon, and paid a small ransom for it, gladly.
I am re-reading this story and will pass this book to my son.
It is truly one of the most treasured possesions in my life.
Rating:
Summary: One of my most Treasured books
Review: "My Glorious Brothers" was once given my by a friend, about
30 years ago. He told me it was among his favorite books. I
soon found out why. Written in a beautiful, almost poetic
style, Howard Fast (a great and prolific writer) presents the
story of the Maccabees. These were the heroes of the amazing
Jewish Revolt against the mightiest world power at that time --
the Syrian-Greek Empire. From the small village of Modin, a
father and his five sons organize a rebellion to free ancient
Israel from its cruel occupiers. It is a thrilling account,
written from the perspective of Simon -- one of the five sons.
Fighting perhaps the first "guerilla war" in human history,
the Maccabees lead their nation of farmers and scholars against
the greatest organized fighting force in the world. It is a
thrilling and inspiring story of the few against the many; the
weak against the mighty. Their triumphs and sorrows are told
in one of the most moving books I have ever read. The Holiday
called Hanukah, celebrated by Jews the world over, commemorates
this incredible story.
Over the last 30 years I somehow lost this wonderful book,
and have spent years looking for another copy. I finally found
a used copy on Amazon, and paid a small ransom for it, gladly.
I am re-reading this story and will pass this book to my son.
It is truly one of the most treasured possesions in my life.
Rating:
Summary: Just added this to my short list of favorites
Review: I just finished this book. First and foremost I really enjoyed reading it. I decided to read it because I know so little about Jewish history; I had heard the name Judas Maccabeus but I didn't know who he was. I would like to say that it is wrong to consider this book primarily from the vantage point of describing the Jews. I kept asking myself if the story of the Maccabeans was considered such an important part of Jewish history, then why did so many Jews let themselves be led to the slaughter by Hitler? So, for me, this book was not so much about the Jews as it was about history. Also,to me, this book is fictionalized history, where the author tries to incorporate the facts as much as possible. Even the narrator in the story, Simon, says you can't take it as genuine fact. Regardless of that, Howard Fast does a magnificent job. It took a few pages to get into the flow, but once into the book, I was caught. I bought this book used for 2 bucks, but I am going to send for a better copy to keep. For me, the lesson in this book is not so much about how great these ancient Jews were, as it is about why man has to keep fighting wars. And as a corollary, why our societies demand slavery (of one form or another and don't kid yourself, it exists today, but in a different form). Of note, these ancient Jews made very limited use of slavery. One of my favorite teachers once said, "Wisdom comes when you put the book down". From reading this book, I felt I learned a great deal about war and slavery. And I had to ask myself the question, Do the Jews of today believe in the same God who is portrayed in this book about the Jews of 150 years B.C.?
Rating: 
Summary: The true and bloody story of Hanukkah
Review: I remember being really taken with this book when I read it as a kid, so I found a used copy to read to my kids. We make a big deal of Hanukkah so that Jewish kids don't feel gypped compared to everyone else, but hardly anyone really knows the story of Hanukkah in all its graphic detail. We should not shrink from telling our kids this story, and Fast's book is the only popular book I know that does it. The kids will not only have a better appreciation of the meaning of this holiday, but will also have a better appreciation of current events.
Rating:
Summary: A good book for Christians who want to understand Hebrews.
Review: Many Christians would be better able to understand why the Hebrew nation is so fiercely nationalistic about their homeland if they read this book. This same material appears in the Douay Bible of the Roman Catholic church. Two books that appear in the Old Testament of this bible that are not in the Protestant Old Testament are 1 Machabees and 2 Machabees. It is essentially the same story as that told by Fast. When coupled with the history of Fast himself, the book becomes even more important. The Hebrew nation will persevere because it is God's chosen people, even if certain Hebrews lose the faith and later return.I have recommended this book to many Messianic Jews as well as Christians who want to better understand the Hebrew nation.
Rating:
Summary: A good book for Christians who want to understand Hebrews.
Review: Many Christians would be better able to understand why the Hebrew nation is so fiercely nationalistic about their homeland if they read this book. This same material appears in the Douay Bible of the Roman Catholic church. Two books that appear in the Old Testament of this bible that are not in the Protestant Old Testament are 1 Machabees and 2 Machabees. It is essentially the same story as that told by Fast. When coupled with the history of Fast himself, the book becomes even more important. The Hebrew nation will persevere because it is God's chosen people, even if certain Hebrews lose the faith and later return. I have recommended this book to many Messianic Jews as well as Christians who want to better understand the Hebrew nation.
Rating:
Summary: The most fascinating story about the Maccabees
Review: The Maccabees were a priestly family from the village of Modyin in the vicinity of Jerusalem, who led a 30-years rebellion war in the 2nd. century BC, against the Greek King Antiochus who wanted to impose pagans religious practices on the jews. The name Maccabee was a title of honour given to Judas, one of the 5 sons of Mattathias, the hero of the Jewish wars of independence (168-164 BC). Later, the name Maccabees was given to his whole family, specially to Mattathias, the old father, as well as to Judas brothers: John, Simon, Eleazar and Jonathan. The meaning of the word Maccabee in Hebrew, may be: 1) Hammer; 2) Hammerer or 3) Extinguisher. By defeating the greeks, they began to sanctify once again, the Great Temple of Jerusalem. They used a small candle that, astonishingly, burned for 8 days. This is why, every year, jews all over the world commemorate the holydays of Hanuka with the Hanukia - an 8 candle-sticks candelabrum. The story of the Maccabees and the Maccabeean wars, was written by Howard Fast as if it was Simon's own Diary. Later, Simon, one of the Maccabees, turned to be a judge and a high priest in the Great Temple of Jerusalem. He was assassinated in 134 BC. The rebellion was described in this book in its most human and philosophical aspects. The standing of the few against the many. The love of the jewish people for its sacred land and religious practices. Their loyalty to the Word of God. Their might and heroism for principles they believed most, like freedom. The reader will have the impression that Howard Fast really lived in the same epoch. Many of the moral lessons of this epoch are very actual, nowadays.
Rating:
Summary: The most fascinating story about the Maccabees
Review: The Maccabees were a priestly family from the village of Modyin in the vicinity of Jerusalem, who led a 30-years rebellion war in the 2nd. century BC, against the Greek King Antiochus who wanted to impose pagans religious practices on the jews. The name Maccabee was a title of honour given to Judas, one of the 5 sons of Mattathias, the hero of the Jewish wars of independence (168-164 BC). Later, the name Maccabees was given to his whole family, specially to Mattathias, the old father, as well as to Judas brothers: John, Simon, Eleazar and Jonathan. The meaning of the word Maccabee in Hebrew, may be: 1) Hammer; 2) Hammerer or 3) Extinguisher. By defeating the greeks, they began to sanctify once again, the Great Temple of Jerusalem. They used a small candle that, astonishingly, burned for 8 days. This is why, every year, jews all over the world commemorate the holydays of Hanuka with the Hanukia - an 8 candle-sticks candelabrum. The story of the Maccabees and the Maccabeean wars, was written by Howard Fast as if it was Simon's own Diary. Later, Simon, one of the Maccabees, turned to be a judge and a high priest in the Great Temple of Jerusalem. He was assassinated in 134 BC. The rebellion was described in this book in its most human and philosophical aspects. The standing of the few against the many. The love of the jewish people for its sacred land and religious practices. Their loyalty to the Word of God. Their might and heroism for principles they believed most, like freedom. The reader will have the impression that Howard Fast really lived in the same epoch. Many of the moral lessons of this epoch are very actual, nowadays.
Rating:
Summary: In defense of Jewish liberty
Review: This book captures the most important part of Hanukkah, a celebration of Jewish liberty. For anyone who wants to learn more about the kinds of lives Jews lived, why liberty is such an essential aspect of Judaism, or why we must sometimes fight for the liberty and freedom we enjoy, this is the book for them. It is beautifully written and joyous to read.
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