Illustrated Atlas of Jewish Civilization: 4000 Years of History

This is a great overview of the history of the Jewish people with excellent maps. It leaves out a lot about the history of the conflict and the root causes of Arab rejectionism and the Arab narrative that rewrites history. It also does not deal with America's efforts to re-establish the Jewish state. (That is covered in Power, Faith, and Fantasy, by Michael Oren) Of course, events after 1969 are not included as that is the year the book was published.

This book is more than just an atlas. To be sure, it contains over 100 maps but the extensive text lifts it well beyond being merely just an atlas. It covers over 4000 years of Jewish history (from biblical times through 2001), using maps, illustrations and photographs to enliven the text. Since the book is only 221 pages long and more than half is taken up with illustrative matter, only a review of Jewish history can be provided but it is a comprehensive review, and is one that most readers should find informative. The maps describe areas of Jewish habitation, points of historical and cultural interest, and the many migrations of the Jewish people. While the book is focused on the Jewish history in the Middle East and Europe, it also covers North and South America, Southern Africa and India, although not as extensively. Anti-Semitism, the Holocaust and Israel are discussed in some detail, as well as the Jewish history in the periods of domination of the Babylonian, Persian, Greek and Roman Empires, as well as in Middle Ages and in more recent times. This book is an excellent choice for those who only want a comprehensive overview of the subject, but it is also an excellent adjunct to more extensive histories.

thie following was taken from the review for the HARDCOVER edition... From Library Journal This visual overview of Jewish history is a successful blend of beautiful cartography, arresting illustrations, and informative text covering the entire range of the Jewish historical experience from patriarchal times to the present. The copious, minutely detailed maps were researched by expert British historian Gilbert. The biblical period, the diaspora, contemporary Israel, and modern Jewry are amply covered. Artistic and cultural developments are treated as well as political and social events. This beautiful volume supersedes Gilbert's earlier work Jewish History Atlas (Macmillan, 1976. rev. ed.), which only takes readers up to the Israeli-Egyptian war of 1973. It's also much broader in scope than Evyatar Friesel's excellent Atlas of Modern Jewish History ( LJ 1/91), which only covers the 17th century to the present. Recommended for most collections. - Robert A. Silver, Shaker Heights P.L., Ohio Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

This book is similar to The Atlas of Jewish History; Martin Gilbert. I love maps. This is the first time I see antient maps in one place. This book adds colour and text to the original Atlas. I would recommend this one for non-historians (I gave one to my 12-year old son), the Atlas is for a more serious reader.In any case, both atlases are very informative and pleasure to have.