The Source : A Novel

In his signature style of grand storytelling, James Michener sweeps us back through time to the Holy Land, thousands of years ago. By exploring the lives and discoveries of modern archaeologists excavating the site of Tell Makor, Michener vividly re-creates life in and around an ancient city during critical periods of its existence, and traces the profound history of the Jews, including that of the early Hebrews and their persecution, the impact of Christianity on the Jewish world, the Crusades, and the Spanish Inquisition. Michener weaves his epic tale of love, strength, and faith until at last he arrives at the founding of Israel and the modern conflict in the Middle East. The Source is not only a compelling history of the Holy Land and its people but a richly written saga that encompasses the development of Western civilization and the great religious and cultural ideas that have shaped our world. Review “Fascinating . . . a wonderful rampage through history.”— The New York Times “James Michener is something rare and valuable: an honorable craftsman doing honorable work. . . . He manages to make history vivid.”— The Boston Globe “Magnificent . . . a superlative piece of writing both in scope and technique. It is, in fact, one of the great books of this generation. . . . It will hold the interest of any reader, no matter what religion he may be.”— San Francisco Call Bulletin From the Inside Flap In his signature style of grand storytelling, James Michener sweeps us back through time to the Holy Land, thousands of years ago. By exploring the lives and discoveries of modern archaeologists excavating the site of Tell Makor, Michener vividly re-creates life in and around an ancient city during critical periods of its existence, and traces the profound history of the Jews, including that of the early Hebrews and their persecution, the impact of Christianity on the Jewish world, the Crusades, and the Spanish Inquisition. Michener weaves his epic tale of love, strength, and faith until at last he arrives at the founding of Israel and the modern conflict in the Middle East. The Source is not only a compelling history of the Holy Land and its people but a richly written saga that encompasses the development of Western civilization and the great religious and cultural ideas that have shaped our world. In his signature style of grand storytelling, James A. Michener transports us back thousands of years to the Holy Land. Through the discoveries of modern archaeologists excavating the site of Tell Makor, Michener vividly re-creates life in an ancient city and traces the profound history of the Jewish people—from the persecution of the early Hebrews, the rise of Christianity, and the Crusades to the founding of Israel and the modern conflict in the Middle East. An epic tale of love, strength, and faith, The Source is a richly written saga that encompasses the history of Western civilization and the great religious and cultural ideas that have shaped our world. BONUS: This edition includes an excerpt from James A. Michener's Hawaii. Praise for The Source “Fascinating... stunning... [a] wonderful rampage through history... Biblical history, as seen through the eyes of a professor who is puzzled, appalled, delighted, enriched and impoverished by the spectacle of a land where all men are archeologists.”—The New York Times “A sweeping [novel] filled with excitement—pagan ritual, the clash of armies, ancient and modern: the evolving drama of man's faith.”—The Philadelphia Inquirer “Magnificent... a superlative piece of writing both in scope and technique... one of the great books of this generation.”—San Francisco Call Bulletin In His Signature Style Of Grand Storytelling, James A. Michener Transports Us Back Thousands Of Years To The Holy Land. Through The Discoveries Of Modern Archaeologists Excavating The Site Of Tell Makor, Michener Vividly Re-creates Life In An Ancient City And Traces The Profound History Of The Jewish People—from The Persecution Of The Early Hebrews, The Rise Of Christianity, And The Crusades To The Founding Of Israel And The Modern Conflict In The Middle East. An Epic Tale Of Love, Strength, And Faith, The Source Is A Richly Written Saga That Encompasses The History Of Western Civilization And The Great Religious And Cultural Ideas That Have Shaped Our World. Praise For The Source “fascinating . . . Stunning . . . [a] Wonderful Rampage Through History . . . Biblical History, As Seen Through The Eyes Of A Professor Who Is Puzzled, Appalled, Delighted, Enriched And Impoverished By The Spectacle Of A Land Where All Men Are Archeologists.”—the New York Times “a Sweeping [novel] Filled With Excitement—pagan Ritual, The Clash Of Armies, Ancient And Modern: The Evolving Drama Of Man’s Faith.”—the Philadelphia Inquirer “magnificent . . . A Superlative Piece Of Writing Both In Scope And Technique . . . One Of The Great Books Of This Generation.”—san Francisco Call Bulletin From The Trade Paperback Edition. "In his signature style of grand storytelling, James A. Michener transports us back thousands of years to the Holy Land. Through the discoveries of modern archaeologists excavating the [fictional] site of Tell Makor, Michener vividly re-creates life in an ancient city and traces the profound history of the Jewish people--from the persecution of the early Hebrews, the rise of Christianity, and the Crusades to the founding of Israel and the modern conflict in the Middle East, An epic tale of love, strength, and faith, The Source is a richly written saga that encompasses the history of Western civilization and the great religious and cultural ideas that have shaped our world."--Back cover of paperback reprint

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.
"A sweeping chronology filled with excitement."
THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER

New York Times

Fascinating . . . a wonderful rampage through history.

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. "A sweeping chronology filled with excitement." THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER An archaeological excavation of Tell Makor launches a journey into the history and culture of the Jews that includes the early Hebrews, the impact of Christianity, the Spanish Inquisition, and the modern Middle East conflict. "The Source" chronicles the history of the middle east from early geologic time to the twentieth century. This spellbinding narrative brings to life the story of this part of the world as only Michener can.