Bruce Feiler, William Morrow, 2005
Feiler, the author of several books on similar ‘walking the Bible’ themes, is an American writer who comes from an assimilated Jewish home and describes his own discovery of his roots and of religion in general. In this work, which is enjoyable and well-written, he travels to Israel and all over the Middle East, meeting people of interest and visiting sites of ancient archaeological value. He describes his feelings at each place, tends to meet people who share his view of the religious world (lots of common goals) and is moved by treading places so replete with history and significance. Yet Feiler, while very respectful of the Bible, seems to be verifying his own flimsy attachment to Judaism throughout the book. The many inaccuracies about Jewish practice are frustrating, and his view on the development, history and nature of ancient Israel informed entirely by non-Jewish ideas. His tale is engaging and his plea for moderation and the implementation of the ideals of the Bible in a peaceful way attractive, but not very Jewish.
Where God Was Born
