Author:Simon Schama
It is a story like no other: an epic of endurance against destruction, of creativity in oppression, joy amidst grief, the affirmation of life against the steepest of odds.
It spans the millennia and the continents – from India to Andalusia and from the bazaars of Cairo to the streets of Oxford. It takes you to unimagined places: to a Jewish kingdom in the mountains of southern Arabia; a Syrian synagogue glowing with radiant wall paintings; the palm groves of the Jewish dead in the Roman catacombs. And its voices ring loud and clear, from the severities and ecstasies of the Bible writers to the love poems of wine bibbers in a garden in Muslim Spain.
Within these pages, the Talmud burns in the streets of Paris, massed gibbets hang over the streets of medieval London, a Majorcan illuminator redraws the world; candles are lit, chants are sung, mules are packed, ships loaded with spice and gems founder at sea.
And a great story unfolds. Not – as often imagined – of a culture apart, but of a Jewish world immersed in and imprinted by the peoples among whom they have dwelled, from the Egyptians to the Greeks, from the Arabs to the Christians.
Which makes the story of the Jews everyone’s story, too.
Schama at his best, a labour of love, as full of memorable incident as a Bellow novel and wittier than a Woody Allen movie
—— The TimesSchama has written a proud and personal story of his people, one that will make a good starting point for those interested in one of history’s most fascinating and tragic tales
—— Josh Glancy , Sunday TimesInspiring… Schama tells it with panache, weaving facts and anecdotes into a vivid history
—— ObserverUnforgettable…a delicious cacophony of conversations and clamorous arguments echoing across history
—— Daily TelegraphA spirited, immensely enjoyable and wide-ranging account… [expresses] both the triumphs and the tragedies with irrepressible enthusiasm and his customary eloquence
—— Financial Times400 pages of hatred and hope. Terrific
—— William Leith , Evening StandardSchama is an entertaining and eloquent guide through the triumphs and tragedies
—— David Bradbury , Daily MailSchama at his best – a labour of love, as full of memorable incident as a Bellow novel and wittier than a Woody Allen movie
—— Daniel Johnson , The TimesA remarkably authoritative and engaging book
—— Good Book GuideFew historians write with the energy of Simon Schama. His second volume on the history of the Jews shows that Schama has lost none of his vigour: the mixture of stories about people, ordinary but more extraordinary, witty asides, Schama family reminiscences, schmaltzy views of Jewish life in past times – all this is there
—— David Abulafia , StandpointIn the hands of a less agile writer, the complex narration of this novel and its passionate denunciation of the Catholic Church would likely have failed. Fortunately for us, Boyne is a master storyteller. When I arrived at the last page, I knew I had just read an instant classic.
—— Toronto StarRespectfully outraged, timely, scandalous and loaded with more than a little controversy, A History of Loneliness shimmers like a multifaceted diamond.
—— Washington BladeDeftly complex . . . Boyne gets it right
—— USA TodayA compelling testament to the suffering of ordinary people caught up in violence far beyond their control – and to the particularly terrible price it exacts from women.
—— Rachel Aspden , GuardianStarkly horrifying memoir.
—— Andrew Lynch , Sunday Business PostFarida Khalaf won her small but significant battle. Its happy ending notwithstanding, it's difficult to focus on positivity – but then, perhaps that's why this remains a vital read.
—— Hot PressA gut-wrenching and relentless experience...Farida's story needs to be told.
—— Catherine Philip , The TimesA powerful description of a world ripped apart... Farida tells a story that is testament to how toxic violence can be born of religion.
—— New StatesmanThis is a mesmerising study of human cruelty and a brave depiction of the monsters that arise when reason sleeps.
—— Oliver Thring , Sunday TimesIt’s a shattering, brave, enraging book but also a stirring story of survival.
—— Sunday ExpressAn unflinching account… This is one of those rare volumes that offers astonishing insights into the human spirit… A catalogue of horror is made bearable only by her extraordinary courage.
—— Joan Smith , ObserverAlthough a harrowing story it is also an uplifting one as it is truly a triumph of the human spirit over terror.
—— Frank McGabhann , Irish TimesThis is a brave, harrowing but necessary book.
—— Colette Sheridan , Irish ExaminerFarida's story needs to be told
—— The TimesTruly a triumph of the human spirit over terror
—— Irish TimesThis is one of those rare volumes that offers astonishing insights into the human spirit
—— ObserverA compelling testament to the suffering of ordinary people caught up in violence far beyond their control
—— GuardianMesmerising
—— Sunday TimesTimely, excruciating and important.
—— Bookseller
zpostcode
Recruit
weather
mreligion
Yellowpages
sport
constellation
shopping
name
game
directory
literature
Word
tour
furnish
Lottery
tftnews
lyrics
News
digital
car
dir
Edu
Finance
