The Invention of the Jewish People

By: Shlomo Sand, Yael Lotan - translator

Narrated by: 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

The Truth Is In Plain Sight

Sand separates the myth and reality. I found the historical sections enlightening, while the political analysis, especially the analysis of the Zionist movement, deepened my understanding of nationalism and how it relates to the Jews.

Informative

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

An interesting read!

The authors contention that all modern people groups are 100% invented is absolutely true. However, the word homogenous is not pronounced homo genius.

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.

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.

A tour de force in Nationalism, national narratives, and religious narratives

Fun and amazingly informative book. A must read if one is to understand how the ME got to the point and why Isreal is committing a genocide against the Palestinians

eye opener book!

neutral and brave from an Israeli academic historian! it will change your view on the ongoing conflict

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.

Finally a Accurate Historical Account and Debunking

"The Invention of the Jewish People" by Shlomo Sand is a groundbreaking work that offers a deeply researched and compelling revision of the historical narratives surrounding Jewish history and identity. Sand, a professor of history at Tel Aviv University, brings a critical eye to the conventional histories of Jewish lineage and nationhood, challenging entrenched beliefs and myths with scholarly rigor and thorough analysis.

One of the most striking aspects of this book is its historical accuracy and meticulous attention to detail. Sand delves into the origins of the Jewish people, examining how Jewish history has been shaped and reshaped over time, often in the service of modern political ends. His exploration goes beyond the traditional accounts, proposing that Jewish people, like many other ethnic groups, are a complex mix of peoples and cultures, rather than a distinct, purely Semitic lineage.

A particularly significant contribution of Sand's work is its analysis of the notion of a Jewish people with a historical right to the land of Palestine. He critically examines the ethnonational narratives that have been used to justify claims to the land, suggesting that these narratives are more modern constructs than ancient truths. By deconstructing these narratives, Sand opens up space for a new understanding of Jewish identity that is not inherently bound to territorial claims.

Furthermore, Sand's book is an important contribution to the broader conversation about nationhood and ethnicity. He challenges the reader to reconsider the commonly accepted ideas of ethnonationalism and the way these concepts have been used to forge national identities and justify political actions. This aspect of the book is particularly relevant in today's global context, where issues of nationalism and ethnicity continue to have profound implications.

In summary, "The Invention of the Jewish People" is a thought-provoking and well-researched book that challenges many traditional assumptions about Jewish history and identity. Sand's work is a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of Jewish history, the nature of ethnonational narratives, and their implications for the modern world, particularly in relation to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Very interesting but hard work

I found this to be a fascinating book with a great deal of information that was new to me. However, it requires some knowledge of Jewish texts, customs and concepts which I had to learn along the way. Still I’m glad I took the time and listened all the way through.