The Invention of the Jewish People

De: Shlomo Sand, Yael Lotan - translator

Narrado por: Barry Abrams

A historical tour de force that demolishes the myths and taboos that have surrounded Jewish and Israeli history, The Invention of the Jewish People offers a new account of both that demands to be reckoned with. Was there really a forced exile in the first century, at the hands of the Romans? Should we regard the Jewish people, throughout two millennia, as both a distinct ethnic group and a putative nation—returned at last to its Biblical homeland?

Shlomo Sand argues that most Jews actually descend from converts, whose native lands were scattered far across the Middle East and Eastern Europe. The formation of a Jewish people and then a Jewish nation out of these disparate groups could only take place under the sway of a new historiography, developing in response to the rise of nationalism throughout Europe.

The central importance of the conflict in the Middle East ensures that Sand's arguments will reverberate well beyond the historians and politicians that he takes to task. Without an adequate understanding of Israel's past, capable of superseding today's opposing views, diplomatic solutions are likely to remain elusive. In this iconoclastic work of history, Shlomo Sand provides the intellectual foundations for a new vision of Israel's future.

©2009, 2010, 2020 Verso; translation copyright by Yael Lotan (P)2022 Tantor

Informative

Liked the depth of historical knowledge , and the way it is written for lay minds

Challenges the narrative

This book was well researched and logical in its methodology within the discourse of post-Zionism. Throughout the work, the author challenges the narrative of Israel being a state for Jews rather than all of its inhabitants. Although controversial in some circles, it belongs on the shelf of anyone with interest in Zionism, Post-Zionism or Neo Zionism.

The Israeli historiography coming of age

A hugely interesting read. Sand has a lot of ground to cover, as the national historiography had been effectively stuck kneeling in front of the zionist / nationalist altar, a position given up by scholars in modern countries some two generations ago. By author's own admission it's flawed and incomplete but nothing controversial here for anyone familiar with basic concepts of imagined communities etc, who accepts that searching for the tomb of Adan or the Atlantis might not be the most serious undertakings for an academic researcher.

DNA?

I like that it is Very informative and you can research all the references if you feel lead to. I like to verify references because sometimes History is His Story.

Important to read great counter narrative

This book really puts a lot of situations in perspective with the “Jewish people” and Israels actions and it’s insane that even bringing up these points would be considered anti-Semitic. Author put in the work.