Crash Course in Jewish History - by Ken Spiro

ABOUT:Crash Course in Jewish History - by Ken Spiro

What makes this history book so special? Because it is about a special family - the Jewish Family.
And if you are Jewish, you are a vital part of this family and this is a history book is all about you.
From Abraham and the birth of monotheism to the Holocaust and the creation of modern Israel-Crash Course in Jewish History explores 3,800 years of Jewish existence.
Ken Spiro takes the reader on a fascinating and informative journey through time, highlighting the key lessons of Jewish and world history and the profound relevance that
the past holds for the future of both the Jewish people and humanity.

What others say:
Rabbi Ken Spiro has written an excellent one-volume review of the story of the Jewish people over the past millennia.
Reading this book will help give one a better perspective on today’s world…
Rabbi Berel Wein, Jewish historian and author

Rabbi Spiro has written a comprehensive, thoughtful and highly educational survey of Jewish history
giving the reader an insight into who the Jews are [and] what they have experienced...through the millennia…
Sir Martin Gilbert, preeminent British Historian, author of more than eighty historical works

Features - Crash Course in Jewish History - by Ken Spiro

PART I: A MAN, A FAMILY, A NATION
 
2. THE BIBLE AS HISTORY
3. DAWN OF CIVILIZATION
4. ABRAHAM
5. THE PROMISED LAND
6. ISAAC AND HIS SONS
7. JOSEPH
8. REUNION
9. MOSES
10. THE TEN PLAGUES
11. MOUNT SINAI
12. THE GOLDEN CALF
13. THE TRAGEDY OF THE SPIES
 
PART II: IN THE LAND FLOWING
WITH MILK AND HONEY
 
14. THE CONQUEST OF CANAAN
15. THE TIME OF THE JUDGES
16. KING SAUL
17. DAVID: THE SHEPHERD, THE WARRIOR
18. DAVID: THE KING
19. KING SOLOMON
20. A NATION DIVIDED
21. ASSYRIAN CONQUEST
22. THE END OF JUDAH
 
PART III: ADRIFT AMID THE EMPIRES
 
23. BABYLONIAN EXILE
24. PURIM IN PERSIA
25. THE SECOND TEMPLE
26. MEN OF THE GREAT ASSEMBLY
27. THE GREEK EMPIRE
28. GREEK PERSECUTION
29. THE REVOLT OF THE MACCABEES
30. THE ROMANS
31. HEROD THE GREAT
32. HILLEL AND SHAMMAI
33. THE GREAT REVOLT
34. THE WAR FOR JERUSALEM
35. DESTRUCTION OF THE TEMPLE
36. THE BAR KOHBA REVOLT
 
PART IV: IN EXILE
 
37. EXPULSION
38. TALMUD
39. ORIGINS OF CHRISTIANITY
40. FROM PAUL TO CONSTANTINE
41. THE RISE OF ISLAM
42. THE JEWS OF BABYLON
43. THE JEWS OF SPAIN
44. THE CRUSADES
45. BLOOD LIBEL
46. THE BLACK DEATH
47. THE INQUISITION
48. THE JEWS OF POLAND
49. THE PROTESTANT REFORMATION
 
PART V: THE LONG ROAD HOME
 
50. THE KABBALISTS
51. THE HASSIDIC MOVEMENT
52. THE ENLIGHTENMENT
53. THE REFORM MOVEMENT
54. JEWS AND THE FOUNDING OF AMERICA
55. PALE OF SETTLEMENT
56. THE CZARS AND THE JEWS
57. JEWISH LIFE IN AMERICA
58. THE FACE OF ANTISEMITISM
59. THE HOLOCAUST
60. THE FINAL SOLUTION
61. RETURN TO THE LAND OF ISRAEL
62. MODERN ZIONISM
63. THE BRITISH MANDATE
64. THE STATE OF ISRAEL
65. WAR
66. PEACE
67. THE MIRACLE OF JEWISH HISTORY
68. CONCLUSION

Reviews - Crash Course in Jewish History - by Ken Spiro

Kaitlyn's Review (Five Stars) wrote:
What an impactful experience. It was amazing to read an historical account of world history from the traditional Jewish perspective that all of human history is a controlled process leading to a destination, design by G-d of Israel who acts in history. There were so many illuminating aspects, especially relative to a western, Christian history presented to me in school. The end of the book invoked a lot of anger toward how the actions of Israel are presented to the world in comparison to the actual events, and the continual barrage of injustices that have been continually dealt Israel throughout history.

It left me hungry for more of this!

Zvi's Review (Five Stars) wrote:
A very interesting read from an Orthodox Jewish perspective. I was upset to finish the book and am I am looking forward to Ken's next book.

The History is written in simple English with interesting anecdotes from History a must read for anyone interested in this subject.

Online Review (Five Stars) wrote:
From Abraham and the birth of monotheism to the Holocaust and the creations of modern Israel the Jewish people's progress through time violates all the laws of human history. For centuries, some of the greatest minds have come to appreciate the profound impact that this tiny nation has had on humanity and have tried to unlock the great mystery that the Jewish story presents, asking: How did this people survive against all the odds? Crash Course in Jewish History explores the 3,800 years of Jewish existence while answering the great question: Why have the Jewish people been so unique and influential yet so relentlessly hated and persecuted? This volume is not only comprehensive and readable; it is also entertaining and enlightening. Historian and author Rabbi Ken Spiro takes the reader on a fascinating and informative journey through time, highlighting the key lessons of Jewish and world history, and most importantly, the profound relevance that the past holds for the future of both the Jewish people and humanity. Novices and scholars alike will find this book to be thought-provoking and insightful a valuable guide to understanding the challenges we face in the 21st century.