The Source discussion

I'm reading the book now. I have had to take some breaks because of it's length and due to other reading deadlines. So, at this point, I'm about half way through.
I will begin by saying that I really had no idea that the Jews as a whole were always treated so abhorrently! Okay, okay. I do read history and I do know that this group has always been treated badly, but put into this historical and fictionized account really helped me to understand the POV of the diaspora.
It had been interesting to see the gradual withdrawal from the secular world and the continued creation of separation through doctrinal debates and writings.

I thoroughly enjoyed the chapter of the family that created religion. That was cool. Very believable!

Karen

Well.... they created THEIR relgion. Who knows who/when/where religion was created?

James Michener tends to present rather sentimental, one-sided views of history. While it makes for some good storytelling, it is NOT necessarily accurate. Take everything you read in this book (or others he wrote) with a grain of salt.

Of course it isn't necessarily historically accurate...it is historical FICTION after all! But actually, I think Michener does an excellent job of showing the faults of all three major monotheistic religions, as well as the good, idealized aspects. Especially how it all ties in to the present conflict in the Middle East.

While I generally enjoy Michener's work, I have to admit , I have started this book 4 or 5 times. Then it bores the hell out of me and I find something else to read.

If you're going to read Michener, read Chesapeake first, then maybe follow that up with Space, but by all means skip "The Source". This one will only make you... Yawn.

After reading The Source in 1979 I became a passionate student of classical studies, thanks to Michener's chapters about the Jews living within Greek culture. I just had to know more! This is an exciting and wonderful book for people with a historical imagination ready to be ignited. Serious historians would find it over-simplified, but after all it is a fictionalised account. I originally loved it, but when I went back to reread it a few years ago I realised with a kind of sorrow that I had grown far past it now, after 30 years of serious study of the era.

This was my first Michener book and I loved it so much I became a fan of the author. I have since read all of his books. I love historical fiction.

I had married a Jewish woman who had never practiced her faith while were married. She passed away from cancer at a young age but had started reading The Source and told me how much it mean't to her. I determined that I should read it too so that I could help our children understand some of their heritage. The only knowledge I had of the Jewish history was from watching movies like The Ten commandments and Exodus. I was extremely moved by the story of their origins and suffering through the diaspora's and then the pogrom's before the Holocaust ever occurred. It really lent a clearer perspective of who really settled the area of Israel first since the muslim religion didn't even exist until well after the Roman and Persian diaspora's had already banished the Jews from their homeland twice before they ever appeared.

Todd wrote: "While I generally enjoy Michener's work, I have to admit , I have started this book 4 or 5 times. Then it bores the hell out of me and I find something else to read.

I loved The Source! I've read several of Michener's books and this one is one of my favs. The only one so far that I have found yawn worthy was Texas. Most of his are large and take some time to read. But, they are worth it for the stories and the history.

I LOVE the Source and think it should be required reading for everyone. I've read it at least twice. Maybe more (I've had a long life and read thousands of books, so I'm not sure.)

No one religion is all that different than the others. That's what this book teaches you. They all come from somewhere, and go through certain stages and eventually are overwhelmed by other religions.

Understanding those facts will make us more human, more understanding of others.

I love "The Source" so much that I have reread it several times. I have enjoyed just about everything Michener wrote, but this one has always been my favorite, probably because I've always been fascinated by archaeology and would love to go on a dig.

"The Source" is one of the best books Michener ever wrote.

Todd wrote: "While I generally enjoy Michener's work, I have to admit , I have started this book 4 or 5 times. Then it bores the hell out of me and I find something else to read.

If you're going to read Michen..."

The Michener Rule applies here: You have to get past the first 100 pages.

Michener's career, a huge disappointment for me. The guy was a close acquaintance and crony of Hemingway and he winds up writing these sprawling historical sagas.

He is SUPERB in a few specific instances: we all have our fave Michener works and we all have our most hated works from him. The way he chose his topics is maddening. 'Space'? 'The Source'? Come on!

For me, he shows his true--and extraordinary--capacity in succinct exercises like, 'Sayanora'; 'The Bridges of Toko-Ri'; 'Tales of the South Pacific'. These are not multi-generational efforts, which fall absolutely flat as far as I'm concerned. When he sticks to a story set in one time and one place, he is solid. I don't want a novel with a shifting timeframe and two dozen characters, sheeeesh!

#1 favorite work of Michener: his nonfiction 'Iberia'. Truly awesome. You really take the measure of the man's incredible erudition and sensitivity in his exploration of Spain (a country he loved passionately).

Why the heck he writes about the US space program, or Alaska, I'm sure I don't know.

While I have to agree with Feliks above , I still have always liked Michener`s books , on the whole. I loved "The Source" and "Chesapeake " as well as "Hawaii" and "Poland " but I can`t seem to understand why he wrote "Space" or "The Drifters " . He pretty much , at the end of his career, became somewhat of a formula writer. I had the same problem with "Centenial" I can`t seem to get past the first 100 pages....

Getting back to the Source - the archaeology in that book is pretty accurate, which is unusual in fiction generally. I loved the stuff about digging down into the tell. I also attempted to read Deuteronomy through five times one after the other, as suggested in the book in order to understand Judaism. I gave up at three!

The Source is one of my favorite books. The story-telling is great, the insights are good, and the history is mostly accurate. I've read dozens of serious non-fiction books on Judaism / Christianity / Islam, but there's nothing like a little (somewhat) melodramatic storytelling to bring it alive. Although I haven't read a lot of Michener I appreciate his expansive curiosity and wide areas of interest.

The Source was the first book of James A Michener that I read, and it caused me to become a die hard fan. I loved the way he made a story of each artifact that was found, whilst at the same, time weaving a story of Judaism and it's history. James A Michener does so much research on his historic books, going back in time before people inhabited the areas. I just love that, they are books that you can really get your teeth into.

I have also read Hawaii, Chesapeake, The Covenant, The Drifters, to name but a few! In fact anything I could get my hands on!

I loved The Source, also the first Michener book I read. Later I read and enjoyed Poland. I read about Michener's research methods and I was impressed. The Source seemed very objective to me and opened my eyes to new ideas. A great book, well worth the time to read, well written.

Five years ago, as a 60th birthday gift, my wife bought me a first edition hardcover which remains wrapped in a protective sleeve so that it can be buried with me. I first read it while stationed in Bavaria in 1968 and it kindled a quest for a deeper knowledge of Judaism and other religions that remain to this day. All of these years later I can still quote passages from it. Simply an amazing book. He could never surpass this one.

I used to really like Michener's books, Chesapeake my favorite. When I hit Poland, couldn't get through it and quit at that point. Also liked Alaska a lot and The Covenant. Didn't like The Drifters.

The Source was my introduction to historical fiction. Young and working in a fairly isolated construction camp at the time, it was one of the few books to be found there. Michener made me a fan of historical fiction and I've never stopped devouring it. I will say, though, that I found the archaeological chapters rather tedious.

There are some really boring passages, but it's worth it!

Norman wrote: "James Michener tends to present rather sentimental, one-sided views of history... Take everything you read in this book (or others he wrote) with a grain of salt. "

That's pretty much true of all history, no? HIStory is traditionally written by the victors. Or by folks with an agenda and a somewhat incomplete knowledge of the past. Still, Michener does a great job of presenting a fictional story threaded into what MIGHT have been historical events that makes the reader much more knowledgeable and understanding than they were going in.

Not bad for a writer of fiction.

Thomas wrote: "The Source was my introduction to historical fiction. Young and working in a fairly isolated construction camp at the time, it was one of the few books to be found there. Michener made me a fan of ..."

As an archaeologist, I found the archaeological chapters fascinating, particularly since techniques have moved on since he wrote the book

Lesley, I became an archaeologist myself and I still found those chapters tedious! :-)

Thomas, I'm an anthropologist and I find archeology tedious! ;-)

Well I am just a housewife and I loved it!

Penny, I loved it also.

Penny wrote: "Well I am just a housewife and I loved it!"

Penny, don't ever say "just a housewife"-- you are a domestic engineer at the very least and CEO of running an important organization called "HOME."

I learned more history from Michener than I ever did in public school. His stories piqued my interests to do further reading on specific topics.

Other than "Hawaii" - (In my humble opinion) the "The Source" is Michener's greatest book!

I read it years ago, and then came back to read it again, a couple years ago. (There are very few books that I've read a second time.)

"Centennial" runs a close second.

I'm a huge fan of Michener. I understand why many people can't get into his books, though. There is some action, but they are not intended to be exciting, action-packed books full of romance and intrigue. IMO they are more educational in nature.

I loved The Source, Centennial (first Michener book I read), Poland, Chesapeake, Texas, and Alaska. Mexico and Caribbean were OK.

"Hawaii" was my first Michener book - and I was SOLD!

Someone (above here) has commented that 'Reading the first 100 pages of Michener is a requirement' and I believe that I would agree with that.

After reading "Centennial" I couldn't wait to see the TV mini-series! We bought the set on VHS Tape (12 of them!) and although we still have a VHS Player, it would be a pain just to change out all those tapes!

I just checked Amazon and they have it on DVD for $17.99! You've given me a great idea!

Bert- I forgot about Hawaii. Great book!

I kinda suspected that you might have - Now that book was truly a 'Work of Art!"