From Library Journal
The authors have selected, according to their lights, the 100 most important events and people in Jewish history from the patriarch Abraham down to modern-day developments in the Middle East. Each of the 100 "nutshells" authoritatively describes in a concise, popular style some significant event, personality, or concept that shaped Jewish history or Judaism. Included, for example, are Moses; the Sinai revelation; David, Solomon, and the great prophets; Peter, Paul, and Christianity; the Talmud; the Jewish presence in Spain; Maimonides; emancipation; the birth of the State of Israel; and so on. This book may be used in two ways. It can be read from cover to cover as a popularly written history of the Jews and Judaism because the 100 nutshells appear in chronological order. Or it can be read at random because each nutshell is an independent, self-standing unit of information. On the whole, the authors' choices are justified, but there are some serious omissions, e.g., the momentous September 1993 Israeli-PLO peace accord. Nevertheless, this book is a unique, ingenious way of presenting the essence of Jewish history and religion to general readers who are reluctant to choose weightier volumes from the shelves. For most Judaica collections in public libraries.
Robert A. Silver, formerly with Shaker Heights P.L., Ohio
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From the Back Cover
How does this Jewish history book differ from all others? Instead of burdening the reader with endless details about every single aspect of Jewish history, Pasachoff and Littman provide essential information, easily digested by readers of all ages, that chronicles only the major events and people of the past. The history of the Jews covers a period of over 3,500 years, with an overwhelming number of countries and lands. It is a microcosm of the history of the world. Consequently, even a one-volume work can be difficult to read from cover to cover to gain the sweep of Jewish history. This book speaks to the reader who is interested in individual topics or periods and wants a quick-reference guide to the people and places that truly shaped Jewish history. At the same time, if read from beginning to end, these "nutshells" will provide a chronological history of the Jews.
About the Author
Naomi Pasachoff has taught at Skidmore College, Rensselaer Polytechnic University, Williams College, and Berkshire Community College.
