The Story of the Jews: A 4,000-Year Adventure--A Graphic History Book

by Stan Mack

Book Overview

Through witty illustrated narrative, celebrated artist Stan Mack takes you on a rewarding comic-strip-style journey through 4,000 years of ups and downs in Jewish history, celebrating major characters and events from biblical times to the 21st century.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1580231551
• ISBN13: 9781580231558
• Release Date: August 2001
• Publisher: Jewish Lights Publishing
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.96 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.0" x 9.1"
• Age Range: 14 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grades 9 to 12

Customer Reviews

Informative, Fun, Clever - A Treat

This is one terrific approach to teaching the uninformed (Jews and others) about the history of the people and the religion's background. History with sharp humor is a rarity, especially in the vernacular of the comic book. I learned so much I actually changed my mind about some "heroes" and learned about a few previously unknown people, developments, and events. And unlike most books on such vast topics, you can browse! It's a delight, occasionally colored with both anger and what might be called "shtick". This is fine with me - the title openly implies his non-academic point of view. Altogether,I found it a revelation and recommend it for almost any age.

A wonderful introduction to Jewish history

A wonderful introduction to Jewish history in graphic novel format. Brief, but well-told, with a sensitivity to women that is a delight to see. Where else will you find Queen Alexandra, whose reign in the 1st century BCE was a golden age for the Jews, and Dona Gracia Nasi, a Jewish Italian business woman, who helped Portuguese Jews escape persecution in the 16th century CE.Stan Mack's book is not as funny as Larry Gonick's cartoon histories, but more factual. As a result it serves as a good brief one volume history of the Jewish people. Only thing missing is a bibliography of further readings to pick up where this overview leaves the reader clamouring for more information.

Entertainment, information, and a whole lot of fun

I worked as a Jewish History teacher, and I used this as a supplementary textbook with my 7th-grade students. I can't begin to tell you how useful it was; this was a book that was entertaining, and yet still managed to give the basic information, its tongue planted firmly in its cheek. Some of the darker moments in Jewish history (the Holocaust, for example) do not lend themselves easily to cartoonization (Maus notwithstanding). These were understandably the weakest parts of the book. But I would recommend this book wholeheartedly for absolutely anyone over the age of 9...including adults.

Wonderful treatment of a complex subject!

Recently featured at the 4th Annual San Diego Jewish Book Fair, Stan Mack's book covers, in cartoons and text, the amazing story of a band of desert wanderers, their travels all over the globe, their triumphs and sorrows, right up to the present day. Mixing serious subject matter with humor and even irreverance (what else?) Mack gives us an introduction to more in-depth study waiting for those "turned on" by his marvellous work. Reminiscent but much more comprehensive than the stories in the "TRUE Comics" of my youth, this work will appeal to all those who love good art, history, and explanations for what otherwise might be considered too arcane for popular literature. A "tour de force." DAW La Jolla, CA

Fantastic! An entertaining journey through Jewish history.

I picked up this book in the library, not knowing quite what to expect. But I was pleasantly surprised! The author/illustrator uses the traditional model of Jewish history to recount the timeless story of the Chosen People, adding a poignant and humorous perspective which makes for a truly enjoyable reading experience.