A Historical Atlas of the Jewish People, edited by Eli Barnavi, is one of those rare books that can literally make a reader gasp with delight and horror. It may even be the best one-volume history of Judaism in print. Beginning with "The Migrations of the Patriarchs," and continuing to the present day, the book's chapters include historical maps, timelines, illustrations and photographs, and narrative essays by leading historians (such as Moshe Idel) that help readers not only understand but visualize the movements of the Jewish people. The editors have chosen not to structure the story as leading inexorably to the Holocaust and the rise of Israel, although both events are covered in some detail. Instead, they have depicted the rich variety of lives established by the Diaspora in such far-flung places as China and England, and have been equally attentive to the joys and triumphs of Jews, both in everyday life and in national cultures, as to the considerable tragedies Jews have endured. The text of this book is smart and readable, but the real joy of the atlas is its illustrations, many of which are rarely seen, such as 20th-century artist Abel Pann's depiction of the creation of Adam, "He breathed into his nostrils the breath of life." It's the kind of image that reminds you that life really is a gift, and makes you savor it. --Michael Joseph Gross


From Library Journal
Publishing an atlas purporting to cover the history of the Jewish people from antiquity to the present is a courageous, even audacious act, particularly when all this is to be done in fewer than 300 pages. Yet this atlas of the Jewish people succeeds beautifully in doing just that. It is broader in scope than Evyatar Friesel's Atlas of Modern Jewish History ( LJ 1/91), which only deals with the modern period, and more in depth than Martin Gilbert's Illustrated Atlas of Jewish Civilization: 4000 Years of Jewish History ( LJ 3/1/91). Covering three millennia of Jewish history and culture through a combination of concise text, accurate and well-drawn maps, and a sumptuous array of photographs, diagrams, and reproductions of paintings, this atlas succeeds in covering all the main themes of the Jewish experience. The material is arranged chronologically and systematically, and a glossary and index are included. The result is a reference that will profit both scholars and lay readers. Highly recommended for all libraries.- Je huda Reinharz, Tauber Inst., Brandeis Univ., Waltham, Mass.Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.


Book Description
The history of the Jews spans more than two millenia and encompasses most parts of the globe--an extraordinary saga which is set forth pictorially in this comprehensive, and richly illustrated and designed volume. With hundreds of brilliantly detailed maps, photographs, and drawings, and chronologies and commentaries by leading experts, A Historical Atlas of the Jewish People is both an authoritative reference work and a sumptuous gift volume.


Language Notes
Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French


From the Inside Flap
The history of the Jews spans more than two millenia and encompasses most parts of the globe--an extraordinary saga which is set forth pictorially in this comprehensive, and richly illustrated and designed volume. With hundreds of brilliantly detailed maps, photographs, and drawings, and chronologies and commentaries by leading experts, A Historical Atlas of the Jewish People is both an authoritative reference work and a sumptuous gift volume.

ANNOTATION

The history of the Jews spans more than two millennia and encompasses most parts of the globe. Featuring hundreds of brilliantly detailed maps, photographs, and drawings, and rich with chronologies and commentaries by leading experts, this beautifully designed volume sets forth this amazing saga pictorially in an authoritative work of scholarship.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

"A Historical Atlas of the Jewish People presents more than three thousand years of the Jewish experience in a comprehensive and accessible format." Virtually all of the key elements of Jewish history and culture are examined: We explore the earliest pre-history and background of the Bible: the movements of the Israelite tribes; the revolts, wars, and religious developments. We see the growth and maturation of the Jewish faith within the context of Middle Eastern history. We observe the development of the Diaspora following the cataclysm of exile, and the spread of Jews and Judaism not only into Europe, Asia Minor, and North Africa, but as far away as China and India. We are introduced to scholars and philosophers, scientists and artists, writers and performers, statesmen and revolutionaries. We witness the horrors of persecution: the Crusades, the Inquisitions, the pogroms, and the Holocaust. We travel along with the millions of immigrants to the "Golden Land" and watch as they and their American-born children create new lives and a new culture. We are there for the birth of political Zionism, the founding of the State of Israel, and the saga of its survival.

FROM THE CRITICS

Library Journal

Publishing an atlas purporting to cover the history of the Jewish people from antiquity to the present is a courageous, even audacious act, particularly when all this is to be done in fewer than 300 pages. Yet this atlas of the Jewish people succeeds beautifully in doing just that. . .Covering three millennia of Jewish history and culture through a combination of concise text, accurate and well-drawn maps, and a sumptuous array of photographs, diagrams, and reproductions of paintings, this atlas succeeds in covering all the main themes of the Jewish experience. The material is arranged chronologically and systematically, and a glossary and index are included. -- Je huda Reinharz, Tauber Institute, Brandeis University., Waltham, Massachusetts

Library Journal

Publishing an atlas purporting to cover the history of the Jewish people from antiquity to the present is a courageous, even audacious act, particularly when all this is to be done in fewer than 300 pages. Yet this atlas of the Jewish people succeeds beautifully in doing just that. . .Covering three millennia of Jewish history and culture through a combination of concise text, accurate and well-drawn maps, and a sumptuous array of photographs, diagrams, and reproductions of paintings, this atlas succeeds in covering all the main themes of the Jewish experience. The material is arranged chronologically and systematically, and a glossary and index are included. -- Je huda Reinharz, Tauber Institute, Brandeis University., Waltham, Massachusetts

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