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The Gifts of the Jews
How a Tribe of Desert Nomads Changed the Way Everyone Thinks and Feels
by Thomas Cahill
ISBN: 0385482493
ISBN-13: 9780385482493
Format: Paperback
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Summary
A narrative history of the Jewish people, written by the best-selling author of "How the Irish Saved Civilization". Cahill understands the real significance of the Jews in world history to be not merely as the originators of monotheism, but as the first people to understand the notion of history itself-the first to view time as a linear narrative in which action is irrevocable and significant.
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Media Reviews
"In an age crowded with bloated, pedantic tomes, Cahill offers a refreshingly succinct, illuminating, and readable summary of the Hebrew Bible's enduring wisdom and influence."
-- Kirkus
"Frankly celebratory, at times indulging in flights of hyperbole. Cahill's book is badly in need of a critical edge." -- David P. Gushee
-- Books & Culture
Bibliographic Details
Publisher: Random House Inc
Published date: 1999
Size: 5.25 x 8.25 inches
Weight: 0.6 pounds
Pages: 291
Publisher's Notes
The bestselling author of "How the Irish Saved Civilization" reveals the critical change that made Western civilization possible, in this irresistible exploration of the origins of some of humankind's oldest and most closely held beliefs. Line drawings.
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The Gifts of the Jews: How a Tribe of Desert Nomads Changed the Way Everyone Thinks and Feels
Cahill, Thomas
New York, New York, U.S.A.: Anchor Books, 1999. Spine lean, corner bump, a couple of pen marks and some sticker residue rear cover, some scattered pencil underlining to the text, and other light to moderate showpear.. Edition Unstated. Trade Paperback. Good/As issued No Jacket. ( more information) Offered by John R. Belliveau Bookseller (United States)
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19)
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The Gifts of the Jews: How a Tribe of Desert Nomads Changed the Way Everyone Thinks and Feels (Hinges of History)
Cahill, Thomas
Anchor, 1999. Paperback. Good. Book has edge-rubbing, and scuffing associated with normal light use. Natural tanning on clean pages. Review: Thomas Cahill, author of the bestselling How the Irish Saved Civilization, continues his Hinges of History series with The Gifts of the Jews, a light-handed, popular account of ancient Jewish culture, the culture of the Bible. The book is written from a decidedly modern point of view. Cahill notes, for instance, that Abraham moved the Jews from Ur to the land of Canaan "to improve their prospects," and that the leering inhabitants of Sodom surrounded Lot's lodging "like the ghouls in Night of the Living Dead." The Gifts of the Jews nonetheless encourages us to see the Old Testament through ancient eyes--to see its characters not as our contemporaries but as those of Gilgamesh and Amenhotep. Cahill also lingers on often-overlooked books of the Bible, such as Ruth, to discuss changes in ancient sensibility. The result is a fine, speculative, eminently readable work of history. From Library Journal: Cahill argues that the greatest gifts of the Jews are the linear theory of history (vs. the cyclical theory of other ancients), with its implication that life can get better and avoid decline and the idea of the equality and dignity of each individual that culminated in the declaration that "All men are created equal." Other gifts include the concepts of universal brotherhood, peace, and justice. (LJ 3/15/97) Orders normally ship in 1-2 business days depending on what time payment is completed. ( more information) Offered by Desktop Music, LLC (United States)
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22)
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The Gifts of The Jews
Cahill, Thomas
New York: Anchor Books, 1999 VG+. Tight, straight, uncreased spine. No writing, creases, chipping, tears, highlighting, markings, dogears, or rips. Light shelving wear consistant with new book. Excellent condition.. Soft Cover. Very Good. ( more information) Offered by Redd's Read Books (United States)
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34)
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The Gifts of the Jews : How a Tribe of Desert Nomads Changed the Way Everyone Thinks and Feels
Cahill, Thomas
Nan A. Talese / Anchor Books , 1999. Near Fine Cover very minor wear, lt indents Pages clean tight Very Nice<br></br>Book Description: The author of the runaway bestseller <i>How the Irish Saved Civilization</i> has done it again. In <i>The Gifts of the Jews</i> Thomas Cahill takes us on another enchanting journey into history, once again recreating a time when the actions of a small band of people had repercussions that are still felt today. <br></br> <i>The Gifts of the Jews</i> reveals the critical change that made western civilization possible. Within the matrix of ancient religions and philosophies, life was seen as part of an endless cycle of birth and death; time was like a wheel, spinning ceaselessly. Yet somehow, the ancient Jews began to see time differently. For them, time had a beginning and an end; it was a narrative, whose triumphant conclusion would come in the future. From this insight came a new conception of men and women as individuals with unique destinies--a conception that would inform the Declaration of Independence--and our hopeful belief in progress and the sense that tomorrow can be better than today. As Thomas Cahill narrates this momentous shift, he also explains the real significance of such Biblical figures as Abraham and Sarah, Moses and the Pharaoh, Joshua, Isaiah, and Jeremiah. <br></br> Full of compelling stories, insights and humor, <i>The Gifts of the Jews</i> is an irresistible exploration of history as fascinating and fun as <i>How the Irish Saved Civilization</i>. . Soft Cover. Very Good. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. ( more information) Offered by FrauBucher (IOBA) (United States)
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37)
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The Gifts of the Jews
Cahill, Thomas
Anchor, 1999. 4th printing.. Softcover. NF.. Explores in detail the ways in which the Jews thought of time in narrative terms rather than perpetual castes and reincarnations. Colour endpaper illustrations. Trade Paperback ( more information) Offered by Old Goat Books (Canada)
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39)
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The Gifts of the Jews
Cahill, Thomas
New York: Doubleday, 1999. Softcover. NF. Ink to FFE.. no. How a tribe of desert nomads changed the way everyone thinks and feels. By the author of How the Irish Saved Civilization. Colour endpaper illustrations. Trade Paperback ( more information) Offered by Old Goat Books (Canada)
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51)
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Gifts of the Jews (Qty: 3)
Thomas Cahill
Brand new. ( more information) Offered by A Green Hippo (United Kingdom)
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