Description: In the grand storytelling style that is his signature, James Michener sweeps us back through time to the very beginnings of the Jewish faith, thousands of years ago. Through the predecessors of four modern men and women, we experience the entire colorful history of the Jews, including the life of the early Hebrews and their persecutions, the impact of Christianity, the Crusades, and the Spanish Inquisition, all the way to the founding of present-day Israel and the Middle-East conflict.

Philologos comments: The story revolves around an archaeological team at a dig in Israel and whenever a new item is found you are transported back through time and shown what was happening to Israel when the artifact was originally being used. Very, very interesting except for the chapters that deal with "cave-men."

If you enjoy Michener's sweeping style, you might also enjoy Edward Rutherfurd's works that chronicle:
London
Russka: The Novel of Russia
Sarum: The Novel of England

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