The Invention of the Jewish People

By: Shlomo Sand, Yael Lotan - translator

Narrated by: Barry Abrams

A historical tour de force that demolishes the myths and taboos that have surrounded Jewish and Israeli history, The Invention of the Jewish People offers a new account of both that demands to be reckoned with. Was there really a forced exile in the first century, at the hands of the Romans? Should we regard the Jewish people, throughout two millennia, as both a distinct ethnic group and a putative nation—returned at last to its Biblical homeland?

Shlomo Sand argues that most Jews actually descend from converts, whose native lands were scattered far across the Middle East and Eastern Europe. The formation of a Jewish people and then a Jewish nation out of these disparate groups could only take place under the sway of a new historiography, developing in response to the rise of nationalism throughout Europe.

The central importance of the conflict in the Middle East ensures that Sand's arguments will reverberate well beyond the historians and politicians that he takes to task. Without an adequate understanding of Israel's past, capable of superseding today's opposing views, diplomatic solutions are likely to remain elusive. In this iconoclastic work of history, Shlomo Sand provides the intellectual foundations for a new vision of Israel's future.

©2009, 2010, 2020 Verso; translation copyright by Yael Lotan (P)2022 Tantor

Informative

Liked the depth of historical knowledge , and the way it is written for lay minds

Important to read great counter narrative

This book really puts a lot of situations in perspective with the “Jewish people” and Israels actions and it’s insane that even bringing up these points would be considered anti-Semitic. Author put in the work.

eye opener book!

neutral and brave from an Israeli academic historian! it will change your view on the ongoing conflict

An interesting read!

The authors contention that all modern people groups are 100% invented is absolutely true. However, the word homogenous is not pronounced homo genius.

Thank you for the truth

The more hard-right Jews, Evangelicals, Islamists, Buddhists, Catholics, etc. dig in their heels and adhere to their make-believe dogma the worse they make the world for everyone, especially themselves. Each person on this planet has their own personal beliefs that may or may not overlap.
KEEP THE FAITH BUT KEEP IT TO YOURSELF!