The Gifts of the Jews: How a Tribe of Desert Nomads Changed the Way Everyone Thinks and Feels (Hinges of History S.) - Softcover

"Persuasive as well as entertaining...Mr. Cahill's book [is] a gift."--Christopher Lehmann-Haupt, "The New York Times" "An outstanding and very readable book...highly recommended."--"Library Journal" "A very good read, a dramatically effective, often compelling retelling of the Hebrew Bible."--Charles Gold, "Chicago Sun Times" "This is a valuable book, of interest to everyone, religious or not."--"Washington Times" "A highly readable, entrancing journey." --"San Francisco Chronicle"

In "The Gifts of the Jews", Thomas Cahill reveals the critical change that made Western civilisation possible. Within the matrix of ancient religions and philosophies, life was seen as an endless cycle of birth and death; time was like a wheel, spinning irrevocably until ancient Jews began to see time differently, as a narrative whose triumphant conclusion would come in the future. From this insight came a new concept of men and women as individuals with unique destinies, and our hopeful belief in progress and the sense that tomorrow can be better than today. Full of compelling stories, insights, and humour, this book is an irresistible exploration of the origins of some of our oldest and most closely held beliefs.