An orthodox Jew of today examines his faith, explores the history and the sources of his religion and his people. That this Jew should be Herman Wouk, successful novelist and playwright, insures his book a reception- if not an acceptance- far beyond the barriers of the religious book field. Thoughtful non-Jews, who have felt the need and the want of a clarification of Judaism, will find here their answer in terms that many of their Jewish friends will violently reject. For the opposition camp will be the Jewish camp. Non-practising Jews will feel resentful at the clear call to acceptance and understanding of their faith; Conservative and Reform Jews will resent the rejection of any path other than orthodoxy; assimilationists will resent the presumption that they are betraying themselves in attempting to wipe out their heritage. But a great many Jews who feel defrauded over their ignorance about their background, will learn here —in as much or little degree as they wish- the facts of Jewish faith, of the law, of the history of development, of the holidays and holy days, their history, significance and observance, of the difficulties- and the possibility- of following the path of the law in today's society. The liturgy too is discussed, more in spirit than in detail. And throughout the book, the ideals, the aspirations, the fibre of Judaism is contagiously reflected-providing together the answer to the miracle of Jewish survival for 3000 years and the miracle today of Israel.
Pub Date: Sept. 16, 1959
ISBN: 0316955140
Page Count: 368
Publisher: Doubleday
Review Posted Online: Oct. 7, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1959
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.
A compendium of charts, time lines, lists and illustrations to accompany study of the Bible.
This visually appealing resource provides a wide array of illustrative and textually concise references, beginning with three sets of charts covering the Bible as a whole, the Old Testament and the New Testament. These charts cover such topics as biblical weights and measures, feasts and holidays and the 12 disciples. Most of the charts use a variety of illustrative techniques to convey lessons and provide visual interest. A worthwhile example is “How We Got the Bible,” which provides a time line of translation history, comparisons of canons among faiths and portraits of important figures in biblical translation, such as Jerome and John Wycliffe. The book then presents a section of maps, followed by diagrams to conceptualize such structures as Noah’s Ark and Solomon’s Temple. Finally, a section on Christianity, cults and other religions describes key aspects of history and doctrine for certain Christian sects and other faith traditions. Overall, the authors take a traditionalist, conservative approach. For instance, they list Moses as the author of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) without making mention of claims to the contrary. When comparing various Christian sects and world religions, the emphasis is on doctrine and orthodox theology. Some chapters, however, may not completely align with the needs of Catholic and Orthodox churches. But the authors’ leanings are muted enough and do not detract from the work’s usefulness. As a resource, it’s well organized, inviting and visually stimulating. Even the most seasoned reader will learn something while browsing.
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2005
ISBN: 978-1-5963-6022-8
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
This a book of earlier, philosophical essays concerned with the essential "absurdity" of life and the concept that- to overcome the strong tendency to suicide in every thoughtful man-one must accept life on its own terms with its values of revolt, liberty and passion. A dreary thesis- derived from and distorting the beliefs of the founders of existentialism, Jaspers, Heldegger and Kierkegaard, etc., the point of view seems peculiarly outmoded. It is based on the experience of war and the resistance, liberally laced with Andre Gide's excessive intellectualism. The younger existentialists such as Sartre and Camus, with their gift for the terse novel or intense drama, seem to have omitted from their philosophy all the deep religiosity which permeates the work of the great existentialist thinkers. This contributes to a basic lack of vitality in themselves, in these essays, and ten years after the war Camus seems unaware that the life force has healed old wounds... Largely for avant garde aesthetes and his special coterie.
Pub Date: Sept. 26, 1955
ISBN: 0679733736
Page Count: 228
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: Sept. 19, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1955
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