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saracat's review against another edition
4.0
In this book, Feiler explores who Abraham is from the perspective of the 3 religions that trace themselves back to him: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. He does by connecting his travels in the Middle East to talk with various people about Abraham to his mental journey to try and define Abraham.
Except for the very end of the book, it does not feel like a religious text, but more of an exploration to understand these religions and the impact of how they choose to define Abraham and various points in history changed how they interacted with each other as time went on. Though, especially in the second to last chapter Feiler is clear that he doesn't feel any of these religions is above the other, he has conviction that God - at least in some form - exists.
While the book is written simply - but not in a dumbed down way, but more in a way to makes it accessible to non-experts - but at the same time, it feels to be aimed about readers who already have had exposure to these religions, whether because of practiced faith or because of previous study. Also, Feiler's American view does sometimes come through and at moments feel 'American-centric.' Though, it does feel like he is trying to write to be more inclusive.
Except for the very end of the book, it does not feel like a religious text, but more of an exploration to understand these religions and the impact of how they choose to define Abraham and various points in history changed how they interacted with each other as time went on. Though, especially in the second to last chapter Feiler is clear that he doesn't feel any of these religions is above the other, he has conviction that God - at least in some form - exists.
While the book is written simply - but not in a dumbed down way, but more in a way to makes it accessible to non-experts - but at the same time, it feels to be aimed about readers who already have had exposure to these religions, whether because of practiced faith or because of previous study. Also, Feiler's American view does sometimes come through and at moments feel 'American-centric.' Though, it does feel like he is trying to write to be more inclusive.
dannb's review against another edition
2.0
The best part of this book is realizing the author's struggle with finding peace and commonality, especially post 9/11. The most difficult part to listen to/read is the oversimplification and the (sometimes inaccurate) conclusions that are drawn.
All in all it stirred me up...identified the hard spots in my head and heart.
All in all it stirred me up...identified the hard spots in my head and heart.
kirani's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
Very interesting read, even 20 years after the original publication. Will be thinking about this one for a while.
davehershey's review against another edition
1.0
This book is rather popular, and is a quick read, but I found it rather blah. Feiler makes some interesting insights and speaks to intriguing people all in an effort to seek out the real Abraham in the hope that by looking to Abraham there can be some sort of religious peace between Islam, Christianity and Judaism. One major flaw was a lack of footnotes, which may be normal for popular level books, but is still a serious flaw. Feiler says the apostle Paul wrote the biblical book of Hebrews, a conclusion that is not widely held. There is scholarly dispute on who wrote Hebrews and most (maybe all) Bible translations even say that the writer is unknown. So Feiler makes a pretty obvious mistake that any person can go to any Bible and discover. A footnote would help say where he got his information. Is he ignorant of the anonymity and scholarly debate on Hebrews or does he just not care? This is a problem because when he talks about legends of Abraham in Islam, for example, how am I to know he got it right when he got something wrong that I do know about. It casts a suspicious light on much of what he writes.
So overall, it is not an awful book, perhaps it is even a good read to get a beginning understanding of the role of Abraham in religions. Its okay.
So overall, it is not an awful book, perhaps it is even a good read to get a beginning understanding of the role of Abraham in religions. Its okay.
itsbecksmidwest's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
countingstarsbycandlelight's review against another edition
3.0
I listened to the audio, which the author reads. His voice dropped off in an irritable fashion at the end of his sentences. It was mightily distracting. There were a few interesting sections. I don't know that I loved it, but it made me think, which is a good thing.
-k
-k
judyward's review against another edition
4.0
Abraham has been claimed as the patriarch of three faiths and Bruce Feiler looks at both the way Abraham has been portrayed by each faith--how his story has been expressed and interpreted--and also how each faith has attempted to claim him exclusively. It was fascinating to see how Abraham has been presented throughout history. His reputation and the portions of his story that were historically highlighted and debated said as much about the period in which they were written as it did about evolving religious traditions. A very well written book. Most interesting were Feiler's interviews with clerics and scholars and their reflections about the role and pivotal importance of Abraham to the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim traditions.