The Jews

Story of a People

By: Howard Fast

Narrated by: Nelson Runger

“There is no human being on the face of this earth exempt from the Jewish influence. For as long as there has been history, the Jew has wandered through it, shaping it at times, riding the current silently at other times, but always leaving his mark. History without the Jew? It is inconceivable.”—Howard Fast. His popular history brings the history of the Jewish people into focus, from Genesis to contemporary times.

©1968 Howard Fast (P)1988 Recorded Books

The Jews: Story of a People

Great book and superb narration! The author is truly brilliant. A few times I felt that there is an exaggeration, but in general, it was clear that he is trying to be objective. I felt that his story unfolded in the best tradition "an honest tale speeds best being plainly told". I did not notice the moment when I realized that the story is a truly harrowing drama. I knew that the Jews have endured millenniums of persecution, but it did not even come to my mind that persecution was so cruel and repeated so many times.
I feel enriched immensely by listening this book.

Great history

I never knew the Jews where persecuted for so long in human history by so many different peoples and nations. I will have to listen to again to soak in all the information.

Keep in mind…

This was written the year after the 1967 war. If you are reading/listening in 2023, you need this to put some things in perspective. I am listening after reading it in the mid-1970s after the 1973 Yom Kippur War. I am Jewish. I find the early historical part extremely interesting &, to me, without bias. The parts closer to the Holocaust start showing the author’s personal stake as he is also Jewish. I write this in October 2023 the week after Hamas attacked Israel & is holding Jews & Muslims both as hostages in Gaza. I just put this to be transparent about my own biases. My grandfather fought with Ben-Gurion in a British regiment in WWI (I was told & have pics of their regiment). I really love this book for the history. Wish it could be updated for years 1968-2023.

not ebook or whispersoft connected

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

no

Any additional comments?

needs to be ebook connected and whispersoft connected...thought it was and wasted a credit on it.

Fascinating

Fascinating & comprehensive- unto 1968. So much has happened. It would be interesting for a scholar to attempt an epilogue