missyjohnson's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

This is the first book that I have read off of the recommend to read before the Holy Land trip list. seems to be well researched. The way that the Jews bucked the belief systems of their beginnings and maintained that faith is enlightening. The impact that this tribe has had on all of Western Civilization is amazing.

christopherban's review against another edition

Go to review page

informative fast-paced

4.5

jsantorp's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

A good companion to any old testament theology class.

skylarkochava's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

I really don't understand what the author intended to do here. Show that the Jews of the Biblical era (or those when the Bible was codified?) taught the world to think in individualistic terms? Or preach about the ridiculous irony that such a deep thought could be couched in such primitive, silly beliefs? I don't know, but I sure didn't enjoy it, and he didn't prove the first case very well. I thought this would be a totally different book, and I'm really disappointed.

tikitechie's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

As a bit of a lapsed Catholic, this book really spoke to me. As the title describes, the book deftly discusses the various contributions that Jews have made to the western worldview through a very high level overview of the Bible. Along the way, it addresses many of the issues I had with the Bible. I'm a skeptic, but I was really drawn into this one. I'll definitely recommend it to family and friends.

mattneely's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

elegaic, yes, but more of a stretch to stay with him than in the Irish hinge.

ecs_etera's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Engagingly written and lively. I adored Cahill's writing and storytelling.

vincent_coles's review against another edition

Go to review page

informative medium-paced

4.0

jeffprov's review against another edition

Go to review page

informative inspiring fast-paced

3.75

caffeinatedsquirrel's review against another edition

Go to review page

2.0

Needlessly verbose. At one point, one sentence lasted 7 lines. There comes a point where the use of imagery becomes distracting and deflects from the topic, and unfortunately that line was crossed nearly every other page. I nearly DNFed this several times over.