- Hardcover: 240 pages
- Publisher: William Morrow & Company; 1 edition (Sep 2002)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0380977761
- ISBN-13: 978-0380977765
- Product Dimensions: 21.1 x 15 x 2.5 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,864,613 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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"A fascinating exploration of the story of Abraham, who is at the heart of three faiths - Jewish, Christian and Muslim
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Product Description
In his new book, Bruce Feiler, the acclaimed author of Walking the Bible, travels to the Middle East to find the truth and the meaning behind the shadowy biblical figure of Abraham. He also explores how the three religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam have appropriated Abraham as part of their tradition - and how the old man of the Bible could once again become a unifying force for those bitterly divided faiths. - Who was Abraham? - Why is he of fundamental importance to Jews, Christians and Muslims? - Can the message of his story help reconcile the warring faiths?
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Inside This Book
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First Sentence
THEY START WALKING just after dawn. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
THEY START WALKING just after dawn. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Author Bruce Feiler again takes his readers on an enchanting journey into the Biblical past. In "Abraham: A Journey To The Heart Of Three Faiths" he studies the role of Abraham as reflected in the traditions and scriptures of the three great monotheistic faiths which claim to be his children, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The map for this journey is drawn from the Old and New Testaments as well as the Koran. For anyone with a less than a thorough immersion into these scriptures, this book will be very educational. It certainly brought new concepts to my mind. Coming from a Christian background, I had always thought that it was clear that Abraham had taken his son Isaac to sacrifice, but that, at the urging of angel, Isaac was saved. Feiler introduces the traditions that it was Ishmael who was to be sacrificed and that the one was offered was actually killed. This is just one example of the traditions brought out which broaden ones understanding of these ancient works.
Perhaps the greatest gift of this work is an enhanced appreciation of the crucial role that Abraham plays in the history of civilization. Abraham's great gift was the realization that there is only one God. This we share with our Jewish and Moslem brethren. It boggles the mind to think that this ancient wanderer has played such a role in the history of our world and in our own lives as well. I finished this journey in awe of this man. This, alone, makes the journey worthwhile.
Perhaps the greatest gift of this work is an enhanced appreciation of the crucial role that Abraham plays in the history of civilization. Abraham's great gift was the realization that there is only one God. This we share with our Jewish and Moslem brethren. It boggles the mind to think that this ancient wanderer has played such a role in the history of our world and in our own lives as well. I finished this journey in awe of this man. This, alone, makes the journey worthwhile.
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I am still working my way through this and am enjoying it immensely. Abraham is a conundrum - only a little is actually said about him in the Bible and the three main monotheistic faiths all see him as a key person in their history. However, many stories and myths have been told about him over time which have embellished the truth, often to serve the interests of whichever group seeks to claim him for their own, on an exclusive basis. Feiler is a sympatyhetic and intelligent writer and I am looking forward to reading some of his other work.
3 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Author Bruce Feiler has written an excellent, concise and accessible book about a religious figure that is unique. "Abraham", is both the title and the subject of the author's exploration of the significance that three major religions place so much emphasis on. Abraham is central to the beliefs of the Muslims, Christians and the Jews. They share custodianship over critical religious sites, agree on much and unfortunately disagree on enough that the modern world uses Abraham and the various interpretations of his life and actions to justify conduct that is at times atrocious.
Mr. Feiler meets with very senior members of the three faiths that are mentioned, whether here in The United States, or in one of the more active shooting galleries of the world, Hebron. As the book begins and progresses I was left wondering at how much commonality existed and the centuries it has been in place. How could these three faiths that are daily portrayed as expressing hatred for one another have a common denominator in Abraham? Unfortunately as the book continued and the author spoke with persons closer and closer to the physical locations associated with Abraham, the thoughts of those he met very often, though not always, became familiar and accepting of violence.
The majority of the people the writer meet with share no hatred toward other faiths; they are as unlikely to become a human bomb as any other person. He does speak with a few who either live where they are routinely shit at and share beliefs that are not hard to understand, or he meets with others who clearly accept random violence as something God approves of. Individuals tend to quote passages from the Bible, Koran and Torah that condemn violence, the problem is when Faiths are represented as opposed to individuals, and much of what their own writings tell them are either reinterpreted or rationalized.
Reviewers that know a great deal more about this topic that I have commented eloquently and more completely on this book. I chose to add my thoughts because the book is well presented and easily read by anyone with a modicum of interest in the topic.
The author cannot be commended highly enough for the balance he brings to the sometimes deadly interpretations of various people he meets. He does not hide his shock, anger, or even his fears, but he is a member of one of these groups, not all three, and the book he has written is remarkably balanced.
I have not read his previous book however based upon this work I most certainly will. A second reading of what will become a reference book for me is on the horizon as well.
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