Jews, God, and History

By: Max I. Dimont

Narrated by: Anna Fields

Vitality floods its pages. Philosophers and kings, warriors and merchants, poets and financiers come alive as the story ranges across time and the globe. From ancient Palestine through Europe and the Orient, to America and modern Israel, Max Dimont shows how the saga of the Jews is interwoven with the history of virtually every nation on earth.

Brilliantly narrated in 1,001 episodes, this newly revised and updated edition tells the story of a people escaping annihilation and cultural death, fighting, falling back, advancing. Infused with an almost miraculous life force, they have survived the death of civilizations and have triumphantly contributed to man's spiritual and intellectual heritage for some four thousand years.

©1994 Ethel Dimont (P)1997 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Unquestionably the best popular history of the Jews written in the English language.” ( Los Angeles Times)

“Successfully captures the history of the Jewish experience. A useful addition to most collections.” ( Library Journal)

Long but worthwhile

This is an extremely well researched book. The author provides parallel histories, which gives an overview of Jewish history in parallel to the societies Jews found themselves living within. The premise of the book is powerful; the parallel storylines will keep readers engaged, and the final chapters summarizes things well. The middle section is so long that only the interested will stay engaged. If you want to get the big ideas and skip the years of research presented, then read the first 15% and the last 15% and you'll get a good overview of this book.

Valuable, though somewhat dated

What did you like best about Jews, God, and History? What did you like least?

I liked the sweep of the narrative, plus many details along the way were fascinating. But just because of the sweep, everything is pretty shallow in the treatment.

Would you recommend Jews, God, and History to your friends? Why or why not?

I would recommend it to learn especially about some of the great figures in the intellectual history of Judaism--Spinoza, Mendelssohn, Maimonides, etc.

Would you be willing to try another one of Anna Fields’s performances?

Under no circumstances would I listen to Anna Fields read a book. Her sing song rhythm and sarcasm drove me crazy.

An impressive narrative of Jewish History for its time.

Considering it was published in 1962, Jews, God, and History is an admirable achievement by historian Max Dimont to create a popular history reflecting the Jewish Narrative across 4000 years of history. Wide in his scope, Dimont explores many theories, ideas, and tribulations of Jewish history. It is not without its flaws and weaknesses, in the context of today, but even for his time. I caught a number of inaccuracies, many with the knowledge of hindsight and new resources. He often makes broad generalizations, relies on myths, and focuses only on specific groups in certain periods. In his defense, a lot of that is due to the limited resources on such groups of his time, and the difficulty of fitting in more history into such an extensive book. Overall, I still think this is a strong narrative of Jewish history. 3.5 Stars.

Great historic work

The best, most captivating historical novel. Loved it. I’ve never read anything as comprehensive before.

A masterpiece cheapened by inadequate narration.

I've read this book twice It's too detailed for one or even two readings, and so I wanted it on audio to listen while driving, etc, whenever I want. It is a wonderful read.

However, I'm quite disappointed to have this bland, uninspired, professorial-sounding narrator lessen the masterpiece. Why she was chosen is simply beyond me. It wouldn't surprise me to learn she's a friend of the producer.