The Story of the Jews Volume One

Más información sobre el libro

In this beautifully illustrated cultural history, Simon Schama explores the Jewish experience over three millennia, from ancient tribal origins to the modern era. It is a unique narrative of resilience against destruction, creativity in oppression, and the celebration of life amid adversity. The journey traverses continents and centuries—from India to Andalusia, and from Cairo's bazaars to Oxford's streets. Readers are taken to unexpected locations, such as a Jewish kingdom in southern Arabia, a Syrian synagogue adorned with vibrant wall paintings, and the palm groves of Jewish graves in Roman catacombs. The voices throughout the narrative resonate, from the Bible's profound writers to the love poems of wine enthusiasts in Muslim Spain. The story unfolds with vivid imagery: the Talmud burning in Paris, gibbets looming over medieval London, and a Majorcan illuminator reshaping the world. As candles are lit and ships laden with spices and gems set sail, a grand narrative emerges—not of a culture isolated, but of a Jewish world deeply intertwined with the societies around them, including Egyptians, Greeks, Arabs, and Christians. Thus, the story of the Jews becomes a shared narrative for all.