The Gifts of The Jews: Summary and book reviews of The Gifts of The Jews by Thomas Cahill, plus links to an excerpt from The Gifts of The Jews and a biography of Thomas Cahill.

The author of the runaway bestseller How the Irish Saved Civilization has done it again. In The Gifts of the Jews 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. The Gifts of the Jews 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. Full of compelling stories, insights and humor, The Gifts of the Jews is an irresistible exploration of history as fascinating and fun as How the Irish Saved Civilization.

Media Reviews

The New York Times - Christopher Lehmann-Haupt. Persuasive as well as entertaining...Mr. Cahill's book [is] a gift.   Chicago Sun Times- Charles Gold A very good read, a dramatically effective, often compelling retelling of the Hebrew Bible.   Washington Times This is a valuable book, of interest to everyone, religious or not.   San Francisco Chronicle A highly readable, entrancing journey.   Library Journal An outstanding and very readable book...highly recommended.

Recent Reader Reviews

Rated of 5 by Matt S
This book is one of the top books of the last 50 years. It clearly elucidates how a simple Jewish thought - you can learn and become more than your parents were - has completely transformed western society. If you read this book through to the...   Read More

Rated of 5 by Sharon Guzman
I'm not a reader of religious material by choice, but the bookclub I just joined was reading this book. It was interesting to delve into the first books of the old testament and to understand them better. It has given me a chance to look into my...   Read More

Rated of 5 by Mike Mitchell
I believe that Cahill is basically just producing the bible in his own words, and basically any one could have done so with a large amount of time.

Review (not rated) by Anonymous
Richard Katz
The Gift of the Jews, like Mr. Cahill's other two books, offers more information and insight than can be absorbed through a single reading. Like the Bible from which he draws so much of his material, serious readers are...   Read More

Review (not rated) by Anonymous
Joe Smith
I believe that Mr Cahill does describe Eastern thought, religion, philosophy (take your pick) simplistically. He may do so perhaps more as rhetorical device to advance his thesis. I agree that this flaw weakens slightly the...   Read More

Review (not rated) by Anonymous
George
The author doesn't convince me of a single thing. Rather it seems more likely that the Jews assembled their personal and religious ideas from the more advanced nations around them.

...1 More Reader Reviews

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• History, Current Affairs & Science
  
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