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The Bronze Bow
He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. –from the Song of David (2 Samuel 22:35)
The Bronze Bow, written by Elizabeth George Speare (author of The Witch of Blackbird Pond) won the Newbery Medal in 1962. This gripping, action-packed novel tells the story of eighteen-year-old Daniel bar Jamin—a fierce, hotheaded young man bent on revenging his father’s death by forcing the Romans from his land of Israel. Daniel’s palpable hatred for Romans wanes only when he starts to hear the gentle lessons of the traveling carpenter, Jesus of Nazareth. A fast-paced, suspenseful, vividly wrought tale of friendship, loyalty, the idea of home, community . . . and ultimately, as Jesus says to Daniel on page 224: “Can’t you see, Daniel, it is hate that is the enemy? Not men. Hate does not die with killing. It only springs up a hundredfold. The only thing stronger than hate is love.” A powerful, relevant read in turbulent times.
The Bronze Bow, written by Elizabeth George Speare (author of The Witch of Blackbird Pond) won the Newbery Medal in 1962. This gripping, action-packed novel tells the story of eighteen-year-old Daniel bar Jamin—a fierce, hotheaded young man bent on revenging his father’s death by forcing the Romans from his land of Israel. Daniel’s palpable hatred for Romans wanes only when he starts to hear the gentle lessons of the traveling carpenter, Jesus of Nazareth. A fast-paced, suspenseful, vividly wrought tale of friendship, loyalty, the idea of home, community . . . and ultimately, as Jesus says to Daniel on page 224: “Can’t you see, Daniel, it is hate that is the enemy? Not men. Hate does not die with killing. It only springs up a hundredfold. The only thing stronger than hate is love.” A powerful, relevant read in turbulent times.
256 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1961
About the author
Elizabeth George Speare
24 books1,238 followersI was born in Melrose, Massachusetts, on November 21, 1908. I have lived all my life in New England, and though I love to travel I can't imagine ever calling any other place on earth home. Since I can't remember a time when I didn't intend to write, it is hard to explain why I took so long getting around to it in earnest. But the years seemed to go by very quickly. In 1936 I married Alden Speare and came to Connecticut. Not till both children were in junior high did I find time at last to sit down quietly with a pencil and paper. I turned naturally to the things which had filled my days and thoughts and began to write magazine articles about family living. Then one day I stumbled on a true story from New England history with a character who seemed to me an ideal heroine. Though I had my first historical novel almost by accident it soon proved to be an absorbing hobby."
Elizabeth George Speare (1908-1994) won the 1959 Newbery Medal for THE WITCH OF BLACKBIRD POND, and the 1962 Newbery Medal for THE BRONZE BOW. She also received a Newbery Honor Award in 1983, and in 1989 she was presented with the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award for her substantial and enduring contribution to children’s literature.
Elizabeth George Speare (1908-1994) won the 1959 Newbery Medal for THE WITCH OF BLACKBIRD POND, and the 1962 Newbery Medal for THE BRONZE BOW. She also received a Newbery Honor Award in 1983, and in 1989 she was presented with the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award for her substantial and enduring contribution to children’s literature.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,375 reviews
March 17, 2024
WOW. WOW. WOW. And WOW again.
I have almost unrealistically high expectations whenever I read an Elizabeth George Speare book, but each one has met and exceeded those expectations.
The magnitude of The Bronze Bow is staggering. I can only compare the sheer importance of the story to Esther Forbes's Johnny Tremain, but this one perhaps surpasses even that classic.
Electricity pulses within the story, a raw hum of power. I was riveted the entire time I read, the pitch-perfect narrative drawing me breathlessly toward the heartrending conclusion.
Few books in any genre can compare with The Bronze Bow, arguably the greatest work of historical fiction ever written for young readers.
I have almost unrealistically high expectations whenever I read an Elizabeth George Speare book, but each one has met and exceeded those expectations.
The magnitude of The Bronze Bow is staggering. I can only compare the sheer importance of the story to Esther Forbes's Johnny Tremain, but this one perhaps surpasses even that classic.
Electricity pulses within the story, a raw hum of power. I was riveted the entire time I read, the pitch-perfect narrative drawing me breathlessly toward the heartrending conclusion.
Few books in any genre can compare with The Bronze Bow, arguably the greatest work of historical fiction ever written for young readers.
April 12, 2018
Elizabeth George Speare mostly stuck to colonial New England in her novels - Calico Captive, The Witch of Blackbird Pond, The Sign of the Beaver - but in The Bronze Bow, she pulls the reader all the way back first-century Judaea, a place not that different from pre-Revolutionary Boston. Both places were a battleground between imperial soldiers who would rather been anywhere else, and local angry, disenfranchised young men endlessly seeking a punching bag.
Our eighteen-year-old protagonist, Daniel the Zealot, has spent the last four years on a mountaintop with his fellow outlaws. He imagines that he and his friends will be anointed by God and miraculously drive the Romans out any day now. In this gang, every man looks out for number one, but fate will soon throw people into Daniel's awareness and force him to care. They are:
- Joel, a childhood acquaintance who shares Daniel's thirst for freedom but not his bloodlust
- Malthace, called Thacia by her friends, Joel's beautiful and kind twin sister
- Samson, a deaf-mute foreigner rescued from a slave caravan who appoints himself Daniel's bodyguard after the later does a good deed for him
- Leah, Daniel's traumatized younger sister who hasn't left the family hovel in nine years
- Marcus, a young Gallic Roman soldier who seems to enjoy lording it over Daniel, and
-Jesus, an itinerant preacher of unclear political allegiance, Who says the strangest things and forces Daniel to examine himself.
A pebble rolls down the mountainside, and then another, and another...in three hundred years the avalanche will bury Rome itself.
Content Advisory
Violence: Slaughter is a fact of life in this setting. Rosh and his followers think nothing of killing the merchants who pass through their territory. Later, a skirmish results in the deaths of two freedom fighters and a handful of Romans. Daniel mugs a murderous old man but decided not to kill him.
Sex: Daniel thinks Marcus is staking out his house to spy on Daniel and his seditious buddies....it never occurs to him that
Language: Nothing.
Substance Abuse: Lots of wine-drinking but no drunkenness.
Politics and Religion: The book definitely believes in Jesus as Savior and Lord, but it's not out to proselytize. Non-Christians can probably still enjoy it as a literary work.
Conclusion
The Bronze Bow is a vivid glimpse of the ancient world, chronicling a fiery young man's journey from vengeance to compassion. Vintage YA and Biblical fiction at its finest. Heartily recommended.
Our eighteen-year-old protagonist, Daniel the Zealot, has spent the last four years on a mountaintop with his fellow outlaws. He imagines that he and his friends will be anointed by God and miraculously drive the Romans out any day now. In this gang, every man looks out for number one, but fate will soon throw people into Daniel's awareness and force him to care. They are:
- Joel, a childhood acquaintance who shares Daniel's thirst for freedom but not his bloodlust
- Malthace, called Thacia by her friends, Joel's beautiful and kind twin sister
- Samson, a deaf-mute foreigner rescued from a slave caravan who appoints himself Daniel's bodyguard after the later does a good deed for him
- Leah, Daniel's traumatized younger sister who hasn't left the family hovel in nine years
- Marcus, a young Gallic Roman soldier who seems to enjoy lording it over Daniel, and
-Jesus, an itinerant preacher of unclear political allegiance, Who says the strangest things and forces Daniel to examine himself.
A pebble rolls down the mountainside, and then another, and another...in three hundred years the avalanche will bury Rome itself.
Content Advisory
Violence: Slaughter is a fact of life in this setting. Rosh and his followers think nothing of killing the merchants who pass through their territory. Later, a skirmish results in the deaths of two freedom fighters and a handful of Romans. Daniel mugs a murderous old man but decided not to kill him.
Sex: Daniel thinks Marcus is staking out his house to spy on Daniel and his seditious buddies....it never occurs to him that
Language: Nothing.
Substance Abuse: Lots of wine-drinking but no drunkenness.
Politics and Religion: The book definitely believes in Jesus as Savior and Lord, but it's not out to proselytize. Non-Christians can probably still enjoy it as a literary work.
Conclusion
The Bronze Bow is a vivid glimpse of the ancient world, chronicling a fiery young man's journey from vengeance to compassion. Vintage YA and Biblical fiction at its finest. Heartily recommended.
August 11, 2008
What a beautiful book! I am so thrilled that it won a Newbery medal. Daniel (the main character) is aloof, sullen, and passionate - almost enough to become frustrating to the reader... except that he has a tenderness and a deep sense of responsibility that he gives reign to just often enough that you can't help but admire and cheer for him. His character progression is gradual, sincere, and believable.
Also, I was fascinated to read a story with such a unique perspective on the life of Jesus Christ. It is told through the eyes of a young Jew who is desperately waiting for the Messiah; who is ready to fight and die for one who will lead the Jews against Rome, their conqueror. When Jesus arrives - a supposed Messiah, but who seems to have no intention of fighting for the freedom of Israel - Daniel is faced with a vital choice in his loyalty. All this is done without becoming preachy or patronizing.
It is so well-written! Eloquent writing sketches the powerful story, with just enough adventure and even romance mixed in that it has something for everyone. I highly recommend it to readers of all ages.
Also, I was fascinated to read a story with such a unique perspective on the life of Jesus Christ. It is told through the eyes of a young Jew who is desperately waiting for the Messiah; who is ready to fight and die for one who will lead the Jews against Rome, their conqueror. When Jesus arrives - a supposed Messiah, but who seems to have no intention of fighting for the freedom of Israel - Daniel is faced with a vital choice in his loyalty. All this is done without becoming preachy or patronizing.
It is so well-written! Eloquent writing sketches the powerful story, with just enough adventure and even romance mixed in that it has something for everyone. I highly recommend it to readers of all ages.
July 30, 2021
When my boys were in the 3rd and 6th grades I homeschooled them for 2 years. This brilliant book came up on our curriculum and it’s one that I’ve not forgotten. Elizabeth George Speare deservedly won her second Newbery Medal for The Bronze Bow in 1962. This story takes a young adult reader back to Galilee when Rome ruled everywhere and Jesus walked the earth teaching, healing, and performing miracles. Speare flawlessly combines some of Jesus’ miracles such as the feeding of the 5,000 and raising Jairus’ daughter from the dead with a storyline of a Jewish boy named Daniel who is so filled with hatred for the Romans that all he wants to do is destroy them all. He joins a band of raiders who live in a mountain cave. Daniel is a fiery, zealous and proud boy who wishes to fight the Roman rule over the Jewish people. Circumstances in his life have brought him here under the leadership of a man named Rosh who raids farmers and others property for food and supplies he says are for the cause.
Things begin to change for Daniel when new friends and responsibilities come into his life. However, Daniel’s hatred for the Romans pervades his every thought and decision, he isn’t quite ready for the conflict and doubt he deals with after meeting and listening to the man from Nazareth who is a carpenter called Jesus. Jesus’ message is clear when he asks ”Can’t you see, Daniel, it is hate that is the enemy? Not men. Hate does not die with killing. It only springs up a hundredfold. The only thing stronger than hate is love.”
What a crucial message, one that our world needs to hear and embrace.
The pace and action within the pages of this YA novel worked perfectly to keep the attention of my boys years ago. The story provides so many wonderful discussion topics that any parent or teacher could spend weeks on this. I am so happy I revisited this for my Newbery Medal winner for a challenge read and would happily reread Speare’s other noteworthy works, The Witch of Blackbird Pond which won the Medal in 1959 and The Sign of the Beaver which was a Newbery Honor winner.
Things begin to change for Daniel when new friends and responsibilities come into his life. However, Daniel’s hatred for the Romans pervades his every thought and decision, he isn’t quite ready for the conflict and doubt he deals with after meeting and listening to the man from Nazareth who is a carpenter called Jesus. Jesus’ message is clear when he asks ”Can’t you see, Daniel, it is hate that is the enemy? Not men. Hate does not die with killing. It only springs up a hundredfold. The only thing stronger than hate is love.”
What a crucial message, one that our world needs to hear and embrace.
The pace and action within the pages of this YA novel worked perfectly to keep the attention of my boys years ago. The story provides so many wonderful discussion topics that any parent or teacher could spend weeks on this. I am so happy I revisited this for my Newbery Medal winner for a challenge read and would happily reread Speare’s other noteworthy works, The Witch of Blackbird Pond which won the Medal in 1959 and The Sign of the Beaver which was a Newbery Honor winner.
September 15, 2024
I recently reread this book for the first time in five years. And I was constantly in awe while reading it--in awe of the powerful and masterful writing, character development, characterization, setting, deep themes, and so much more. The protagonist, in particular, is one of the most vivid and lifelike I've ever read, with a huge and powerful redemption arc. The author makes each character and their world come alive. I could say a lot more about the story, especially about the protagonist, his character development, and his family and friend relationships.
This book also made me cry the last two times I read it--and there are few books that do that. A book must take me by surprise and move me greatly in order to cause actual tears and sobs. And this one does. When I read it five years ago, I remember crying because I was distraught over a character death. And this time, I cried for the plight of the people whom Jesus healed and helped, including the protagonist's sister and so many real people in the Bible. Those stories in the Gospels have always touched me and meant a lot to me, because Jesus cared about those people and healed them, and he still does that today.
This book is not without its flaws. There were several small details that seemed wrong, and several larger shortcomings. I didn't enjoy the later chapters as much each time I read this book, and I don't think they're as well-written or authentic--which is a shame, because most of the book is so incredibly powerful and well-written.
The biggest flaw, in my eyes, is a shortcoming of most Biblical fiction--some of the words the author placed in the mouth of Jesus were trite and did not ring true. In one scene of this book in particular, something Jesus said about hate vs. love sounded exactly like what Martin Luther King, Jr. said on that topic--and I love those MLK quotes so very much--but they don't belong in dialogue from Jesus himself, and I don't believe the Bible states it that way or simplifies it that much. It's Jesus, not love, that saves us and conquers hate, even if he himself is love. I could go on. Those lines just stuck in my throat and ruined the effect the book had on me.
But even so, I love this book. It's the only Biblical fiction book I tolerate, much less adore. Most Biblical fiction taints the Bible for me, and I hate the fictionalization of real Biblical people, especially Jesus. But I've heard from friends that many Biblical fiction books do for them what The Bronze Bow does for me, overall--it makes first-century Israel come alive, makes me see the Biblical accounts in a new and wonderful way, makes the people and stories in the Bible more real and vivid to me. It drives me back to the Bible to read the Gospels and Isaiah, the Scriptures that talk about Jesus. It fills me with joy and makes me love him more, during the parts when he seems authentic and accurate (the exception is the quote I mentioned above). It makes me see and feel what it was like for the people who longed for and experienced Jesus' coming, what life was like for Jesus and his followers and others of the time, what it meant to accept Jesus as the Son of God in the face of opposition.
And for those reasons, I love this book, despite shortcomings in the later chapters.
I recommend it highly, and I'm so glad I reread it after so long.
This book also made me cry the last two times I read it--and there are few books that do that. A book must take me by surprise and move me greatly in order to cause actual tears and sobs. And this one does. When I read it five years ago, I remember crying because I was distraught over a character death. And this time, I cried for the plight of the people whom Jesus healed and helped, including the protagonist's sister and so many real people in the Bible. Those stories in the Gospels have always touched me and meant a lot to me, because Jesus cared about those people and healed them, and he still does that today.
This book is not without its flaws. There were several small details that seemed wrong, and several larger shortcomings. I didn't enjoy the later chapters as much each time I read this book, and I don't think they're as well-written or authentic--which is a shame, because most of the book is so incredibly powerful and well-written.
The biggest flaw, in my eyes, is a shortcoming of most Biblical fiction--some of the words the author placed in the mouth of Jesus were trite and did not ring true. In one scene of this book in particular, something Jesus said about hate vs. love sounded exactly like what Martin Luther King, Jr. said on that topic--and I love those MLK quotes so very much--but they don't belong in dialogue from Jesus himself, and I don't believe the Bible states it that way or simplifies it that much. It's Jesus, not love, that saves us and conquers hate, even if he himself is love. I could go on. Those lines just stuck in my throat and ruined the effect the book had on me.
But even so, I love this book. It's the only Biblical fiction book I tolerate, much less adore. Most Biblical fiction taints the Bible for me, and I hate the fictionalization of real Biblical people, especially Jesus. But I've heard from friends that many Biblical fiction books do for them what The Bronze Bow does for me, overall--it makes first-century Israel come alive, makes me see the Biblical accounts in a new and wonderful way, makes the people and stories in the Bible more real and vivid to me. It drives me back to the Bible to read the Gospels and Isaiah, the Scriptures that talk about Jesus. It fills me with joy and makes me love him more, during the parts when he seems authentic and accurate (the exception is the quote I mentioned above). It makes me see and feel what it was like for the people who longed for and experienced Jesus' coming, what life was like for Jesus and his followers and others of the time, what it meant to accept Jesus as the Son of God in the face of opposition.
And for those reasons, I love this book, despite shortcomings in the later chapters.
I recommend it highly, and I'm so glad I reread it after so long.
October 20, 2021
I hated this book with a burning passion that could boil a glacier.
First of all, if you even enjoyed this book the tiniest bit, do not read this review, you’ve been warned.
Anyways, this book is the most miserable thing I’ve ever experienced. Not only did I have to suffer through page after page of mindlessness, but I also had to take tests, quizzes, and answer comprehension questions about the very book that I wished to light on fire and ban the human race from setting their eyes on, let alone read. In fact, I despise this book so much that I buried it multiple times at the beach until it eventually just washed out to the ocean. If you somehow enjoyed this book, you are not human. Because if you’ve read this book, you know that you cannot resist the urge to throw it out a helicopter into a pit 3 miles deep, pour gas all over it, and light it on fire. The only good thing this book did for me was teaching me how to persevere through trials. This book was definitely a trial... If you hated this book as much as I did, I am sure this review brings you joy !
First of all, if you even enjoyed this book the tiniest bit, do not read this review, you’ve been warned.
Anyways, this book is the most miserable thing I’ve ever experienced. Not only did I have to suffer through page after page of mindlessness, but I also had to take tests, quizzes, and answer comprehension questions about the very book that I wished to light on fire and ban the human race from setting their eyes on, let alone read. In fact, I despise this book so much that I buried it multiple times at the beach until it eventually just washed out to the ocean. If you somehow enjoyed this book, you are not human. Because if you’ve read this book, you know that you cannot resist the urge to throw it out a helicopter into a pit 3 miles deep, pour gas all over it, and light it on fire. The only good thing this book did for me was teaching me how to persevere through trials. This book was definitely a trial... If you hated this book as much as I did, I am sure this review brings you joy !
April 28, 2022
2022 review:
I finished this one with students this year, and I must admit that the book grows a bit more tedious with each reread. It is still one of the renderings of Jesus that I refer to in my imagination. I love the unexpected gentleness of Jesus that appeals to the zealot's heart and wins him over.
2020 review:
I remember reading this in early middle school and concluding that it was a perfect book: it had adventure, romance, and Jesus... something for everyone! I saw it being discarded a few years ago and knew I needed to read it again to see if it stood the test of time. It really is a great novel for young adult readers, particularly those who have a little historical context for the time when Jesus lived on Capernaum. Daniel is caught between ideas about the future and had to choose between rebellion, which has always seemed like the answer, and the calm, measured patience Jesus displays. I enjoyed it almost as much as an adult as I did when I was a kid.
I finished this one with students this year, and I must admit that the book grows a bit more tedious with each reread. It is still one of the renderings of Jesus that I refer to in my imagination. I love the unexpected gentleness of Jesus that appeals to the zealot's heart and wins him over.
2020 review:
I remember reading this in early middle school and concluding that it was a perfect book: it had adventure, romance, and Jesus... something for everyone! I saw it being discarded a few years ago and knew I needed to read it again to see if it stood the test of time. It really is a great novel for young adult readers, particularly those who have a little historical context for the time when Jesus lived on Capernaum. Daniel is caught between ideas about the future and had to choose between rebellion, which has always seemed like the answer, and the calm, measured patience Jesus displays. I enjoyed it almost as much as an adult as I did when I was a kid.
March 30, 2018
Have been meaning to read this for some time; finally borrowed a copy from a friend and went to it. The book held my interest and got better as it progressed, despite some minor unrealism along the way (a Jewish guy named Amalek? Exodus 17:14, anyone?), and despite the fact that I'm generally uncomfortable with First Century stories putting words in the mouth of Jesus that He never actually said. To Speare's credit, most lines attributed to Christ in the book are fairly consistent with his real teachings, though she unsurprisingly emphasizes his themes of peace and love over sin and God's judgment.
The character arc of Daniel is convincing if predictable at times, with enough surprises that the story still seems fresh. His interactions with his friends and with the Romans are simplified and fairly cleaned up from real life, but this is a children's/young adult novel and I think Speare strikes a pretty good balance. For me, the very best part is the ending - which I obviously can't talk about. Read the book!
The character arc of Daniel is convincing if predictable at times, with enough surprises that the story still seems fresh. His interactions with his friends and with the Romans are simplified and fairly cleaned up from real life, but this is a children's/young adult novel and I think Speare strikes a pretty good balance. For me, the very best part is the ending - which I obviously can't talk about. Read the book!
April 1, 2017
Wow. It has been a long time since I liked a Biblical fiction this much.
This author did a fantastic job of really making the emotions come alive. When Daniel was mad, I was mad. When he made a mistake, I was furious at him. I couldn't help it. This is one of those books that made me forget I was reading, it was more like I was a part of the story.
I loved how the author described Jesus. Insted of trying to describe things about her appearance, He's described as someone you just feel open around. People can tell He knows everything about them. He's approachable, but still holy.
And wow, that ending. I had to stare out a window for awhile, just thinking. It was incredibly stirring. It gave you all the answer you need about everything in the book without telling you everything that happened afterwards.
There really wasn't anything I didn't like. It was simply awesome.
This author did a fantastic job of really making the emotions come alive. When Daniel was mad, I was mad. When he made a mistake, I was furious at him. I couldn't help it. This is one of those books that made me forget I was reading, it was more like I was a part of the story.
I loved how the author described Jesus. Insted of trying to describe things about her appearance, He's described as someone you just feel open around. People can tell He knows everything about them. He's approachable, but still holy.
And wow, that ending. I had to stare out a window for awhile, just thinking. It was incredibly stirring. It gave you all the answer you need about everything in the book without telling you everything that happened afterwards.
There really wasn't anything I didn't like. It was simply awesome.
November 8, 2022
Cleanliness
Sexual Content
Lust - 1 Incident: A young man watches a girl dance.
Miscellaneous - 7 Incidents: “A giant of a man, naked except for a filthy loincloth.” A young man swims with no clothing. A young man is attracted to a girl. A young man gets the added reward of a girl’s “flashing smile.” Men are clad only in tunics, some are stripped by burglars. A young man blushes at the mention of a girl and her brother hints to him of marrying her. A girl’s hand closes over a boy’s.
Violence - None
Profanity
Religious Profanities - 3 Incidents: G-goodness, Heaven knows, by the prophets
Conversation Topics - 3 Incidents: Mentions wine throughout the book. It is thought that a girl is possessed by demons (it is that she is more overcome by fear then possession in the literal sense).
A family pays a man to perform a magic power over a sick girl but it does nothing.
#middleeast #isreal #ancietjerusalem
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! And be sure to check out my bio page to learn a little about me and the Picture Book/Chapter Book Calendars I sell on Etsy!
Sexual Content
Lust - 1 Incident: A young man watches a girl dance.
Miscellaneous - 7 Incidents: “A giant of a man, naked except for a filthy loincloth.” A young man swims with no clothing. A young man is attracted to a girl. A young man gets the added reward of a girl’s “flashing smile.” Men are clad only in tunics, some are stripped by burglars. A young man blushes at the mention of a girl and her brother hints to him of marrying her. A girl’s hand closes over a boy’s.
Violence - None
Profanity
Religious Profanities - 3 Incidents: G-goodness, Heaven knows, by the prophets
Conversation Topics - 3 Incidents: Mentions wine throughout the book. It is thought that a girl is possessed by demons (it is that she is more overcome by fear then possession in the literal sense).
A family pays a man to perform a magic power over a sick girl but it does nothing.
#middleeast #isreal #ancietjerusalem
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! And be sure to check out my bio page to learn a little about me and the Picture Book/Chapter Book Calendars I sell on Etsy!
April 14, 2024
➳ 4 ⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚
ok i read this so long ago so let me name some plot points i remember and y’all who’ve read this can laugh at me or correct me 😌🎀
• something about a roman soldier that the mc didn’t like
• his demon-possessed sister
• Jesus came to his house?
• some kids made this vow-thing in a dark room
• a mountain that someone climbed or sacrificed something on
• this rich person roman house (one of those ones with guys laying down getting fanned and eating grapes)
• and something about a giant?
anyways there’s that but overall i remember really liking this book 🩰
୧ ‧₊˚ 🍓 ⋅ ☆
ok i read this so long ago so let me name some plot points i remember and y’all who’ve read this can laugh at me or correct me 😌🎀
• something about a roman soldier that the mc didn’t like
• his demon-possessed sister
• Jesus came to his house?
• some kids made this vow-thing in a dark room
• a mountain that someone climbed or sacrificed something on
• this rich person roman house (one of those ones with guys laying down getting fanned and eating grapes)
• and something about a giant?
anyways there’s that but overall i remember really liking this book 🩰
୧ ‧₊˚ 🍓 ⋅ ☆
February 2, 2011
Daniel lives in the dangerous mountains surrounding the village of Metzah, right outside of the city of Capernoum. Making his way through life for the past five years with a gang of bandits, committed to the cause of freeing the jews from the Roman empire, Daniel has had to build up some thick scars, his hands just as calloused as his heart. However, things seem to change when he meets a young man and his sister who are from the village that he ran away from over five years ago.
He ventures back home, and visits his young, troubled, sickly sister and his aging, fragile grandmother who are living in poverty. It's then that he hears of a traveling Rabi, Jesus, and wonders if this could possibly be the man who will finally lead them to war against the Romans. As Daniel tries to provide for his sister, keep his friends safe, and figure out a way to seek revenge on the Romans, Daniel may have to learn that love is a much stronger force than hatred could ever be.
A book is only as good as its characters, and I must say that I do like all of the characters in this book . . . except for the main one. I spent nearly five hours of my life following Daniel through his adventures and tribulations, and I will never get them back. If I hadn't been reading this book for an assignment, I wouldn't have finished it (which is very unlike me). I seriously wanted to slam the book shut, curse the stupid guy and go on living my life is peace and bliss, where the "Daniels" of the world are all fiction (at least, in my life).
The first 3/4 of the book were pretty good, and I actually really enjoyed it. It was the last few chapters that I couldn't get through. Let me explain: In stories, the main character has a "character arch." Usually they start really low, and through obstacles and sacrifices and such, they finish at the end, a changed person. The character we started with isn't the same one we end up with. When you're reading the book, just as you can see him changing and evolving into the person you want to see and he's starting to see the things that you've been telling him the whole story, he does something completely opposite of where he's headed, turning back into the character that we started with. It's not until the very last two pages, that we finally see the person we've been waiting for him to be, and it's not even of his own accord. Every good writer knows that the protagonist needs to decide their fate. Whether it's a sad or happy one, the character makes the choice. This is not the case. Someone else had to do all the action for his sorry whiny stubborn butt to be grateful and a happy, changed person.
He ventures back home, and visits his young, troubled, sickly sister and his aging, fragile grandmother who are living in poverty. It's then that he hears of a traveling Rabi, Jesus, and wonders if this could possibly be the man who will finally lead them to war against the Romans. As Daniel tries to provide for his sister, keep his friends safe, and figure out a way to seek revenge on the Romans, Daniel may have to learn that love is a much stronger force than hatred could ever be.
A book is only as good as its characters, and I must say that I do like all of the characters in this book . . . except for the main one. I spent nearly five hours of my life following Daniel through his adventures and tribulations, and I will never get them back. If I hadn't been reading this book for an assignment, I wouldn't have finished it (which is very unlike me). I seriously wanted to slam the book shut, curse the stupid guy and go on living my life is peace and bliss, where the "Daniels" of the world are all fiction (at least, in my life).
The first 3/4 of the book were pretty good, and I actually really enjoyed it. It was the last few chapters that I couldn't get through. Let me explain: In stories, the main character has a "character arch." Usually they start really low, and through obstacles and sacrifices and such, they finish at the end, a changed person. The character we started with isn't the same one we end up with. When you're reading the book, just as you can see him changing and evolving into the person you want to see and he's starting to see the things that you've been telling him the whole story, he does something completely opposite of where he's headed, turning back into the character that we started with. It's not until the very last two pages, that we finally see the person we've been waiting for him to be, and it's not even of his own accord. Every good writer knows that the protagonist needs to decide their fate. Whether it's a sad or happy one, the character makes the choice. This is not the case. Someone else had to do all the action for his sorry whiny stubborn butt to be grateful and a happy, changed person.
September 20, 2017
There is one black character in this book. His name is Samson, and he is a slave. As soon as he is freed, he makes another character his master, because apparently black people cannot survive without being subjugated.
The plot is ridiculously drawn-out and contrived: Daniel spends like 90% of the book preparing a rebellion, and we get boring details and scenes of planning and scheming. But in the ending it fails miserably, and in like the last three pages Jesus steps in, wiggles his fingers, and POOF! everything is solved! Yay for Jesus-ex-machina! Easy miracles make boring and abrupt stories - and yet this story was published?
...and also won a Newberry???
The plot is ridiculously drawn-out and contrived: Daniel spends like 90% of the book preparing a rebellion, and we get boring details and scenes of planning and scheming. But in the ending it fails miserably, and in like the last three pages Jesus steps in, wiggles his fingers, and POOF! everything is solved! Yay for Jesus-ex-machina! Easy miracles make boring and abrupt stories - and yet this story was published?
...and also won a Newberry???
May 13, 2022
“Jesus smiled. ‘You think that is impossible, don't you?
Can't you see, Daniel, it is hate that is the enemy? Not
men. Hate does not die with killing. It only springs up a
hundredfold. The only thing stronger than hate is love.’”
What a classic. A moving story of Israel’s longing for freedom and a boy’s battle from hate to love. I have probably reread this book more times than any other and it only gets better every time. ♾/5⭐️
Can't you see, Daniel, it is hate that is the enemy? Not
men. Hate does not die with killing. It only springs up a
hundredfold. The only thing stronger than hate is love.’”
What a classic. A moving story of Israel’s longing for freedom and a boy’s battle from hate to love. I have probably reread this book more times than any other and it only gets better every time. ♾/5⭐️
May 6, 2023
A wonderful novel about the power of the gospel & love overcoming hatred.
September 23, 2018
Ahoy there me mateys! This read is long overdue. Having loved other books by this author, I always wanted to read this book but never did. Then I read a post by me matey Jackie @ deathbysundoku back in October 2017. She be on the Great Newbery quest wherein she be reading all Newbery medal winners by January 2022 when the 100th Newbery Award happens! Worthy goal indeed. I meself had embarked on this journey many years ago before adverse winds and scads of other adventures sent me off course. So Jackie’s posts have rekindled me interest in finishing them all and so periodically I pick another one up.
I have to say that this one was not the best book in me view. This be a young adult historical fiction. The story follows eighteen year old Daniel bar Jamin of Israel. Daniel wants revenge on the Romans due to the death of his father. But he is torn between duty to his family and duty to the band of outlaws determined to wrest Israel from Rome’s control.
While I enjoy the characterization of Daniel and sympathized with him, it was the pacing of the plot that made this less than fun. This story takes place over many years and the action is slow. Most of the story involves Daniel’s inner struggles. I think the problem was that I, the reader, could see the path he should take and then had to hear all the silly reasons why he didn’t. I still thought Daniel was wonderful and was rooting for him.
It was also weird to read of Jesus as a side character who has conversations with Daniel and then saves the day. I didn’t mind the religion in the book outside of that quirk. I always enjoy readin’ about different perspectives and the book’s time frame with all the changes and upheaval in religion is fascinating. I do think this be the book’s strength.
I can see why it also won an award Hate not love be the message of the day. While I think that be a worthy sentiment, I just didn’t love the execution of it. I consider it just okay. No regrets about readin’ it though. I now want to reread the sign of the beaver. Arrrr!
Check out me other reviews at https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordp...
I have to say that this one was not the best book in me view. This be a young adult historical fiction. The story follows eighteen year old Daniel bar Jamin of Israel. Daniel wants revenge on the Romans due to the death of his father. But he is torn between duty to his family and duty to the band of outlaws determined to wrest Israel from Rome’s control.
While I enjoy the characterization of Daniel and sympathized with him, it was the pacing of the plot that made this less than fun. This story takes place over many years and the action is slow. Most of the story involves Daniel’s inner struggles. I think the problem was that I, the reader, could see the path he should take and then had to hear all the silly reasons why he didn’t. I still thought Daniel was wonderful and was rooting for him.
It was also weird to read of Jesus as a side character who has conversations with Daniel and then saves the day. I didn’t mind the religion in the book outside of that quirk. I always enjoy readin’ about different perspectives and the book’s time frame with all the changes and upheaval in religion is fascinating. I do think this be the book’s strength.
I can see why it also won an award Hate not love be the message of the day. While I think that be a worthy sentiment, I just didn’t love the execution of it. I consider it just okay. No regrets about readin’ it though. I now want to reread the sign of the beaver. Arrrr!
Check out me other reviews at https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordp...
September 20, 2007
After witnessing his father's crucifixion by Roman soldiers, Daniel bar Jamin is fired by a single passion: to avenge his father's death by driving the Roman legions form the land of Israel. Consumed by hatred, Daniel joins the brutal raids of an outlaw band living in the hills outside his village. Though his grandmother's death slows his plans by forcing him to move home to care for his sister, he continues his dangerous life by leading a group of boy guerrillas in spying and plotting, impatiently waiting to take revenge.
In nearby Capernaum, a rabbi is teaching a different lesson. Time and again Daniel is drawn to the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, only to turn away, disappointed and confused by Jesus' lack of action in opposing the Romans. Devoid of tenderness and forgiveness, headstrong Daniel is also heedless of the loyalty of his friend Joel; the love of Joel's sister, Malthace; and the needs of his own disturbed sister, Leah, dragging them down his destructive path toward disaster.
Elisabeth George Speare won the 1962 Newbery Medal for this magnificent novel of Daniel's tormented journey from a blind, confining hatred to his acceptance and understanding of love. Booklist called it "a dramatic, deeply felt narrative whose characters and message will be long remembered."
In nearby Capernaum, a rabbi is teaching a different lesson. Time and again Daniel is drawn to the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, only to turn away, disappointed and confused by Jesus' lack of action in opposing the Romans. Devoid of tenderness and forgiveness, headstrong Daniel is also heedless of the loyalty of his friend Joel; the love of Joel's sister, Malthace; and the needs of his own disturbed sister, Leah, dragging them down his destructive path toward disaster.
Elisabeth George Speare won the 1962 Newbery Medal for this magnificent novel of Daniel's tormented journey from a blind, confining hatred to his acceptance and understanding of love. Booklist called it "a dramatic, deeply felt narrative whose characters and message will be long remembered."
September 3, 2022
This was my first time reading this book to my kids. It was part of our homeschool curriculum for learning about Jews in the Roman Empire. Such a powerful book. We all wanted more. When we finished (me barely keeping back tears so as to not annoy my sons), my daughter asked, "are there more books in this series?" and my ten year old expressed disappointment that there were no actual bronze bows. We were all on the edge of our seats even though my husband and I have read it before (and he would strain to listen from his office in the next room as I read every day).
September 7, 2019
The Bronze Bow
Written in 1961, full of the excitement of Israel in the world, and new discoveries in that part of it, this is a story of a young man in the same space and time that Jesus, son of Mary and Joseph, was beginning his ministry.
The book is placed in the YA category, and is something I had never read before. Elizabeth George Speare was a favorite author of both me and my mom. But I’d never read this one. Our family went to the library a couple of times per week, and I was surprised when it came up in the search for her books. I loved the Witch of Blackbird Pond, The Calico Captive and Life in Colonial America. A subsequent search shows I’ve also missed The Prospering, and The Sign of the Beaver! They are on my list now.
Daniel had a difficult life, and revenge is his reason for living – revenge against all things, persons and roads Roman. He is of an age in which he is trying to find a leader and cause that will best accomplish the downfall of Rome. It is complicated by his family (including a “possessed” sister) and the need for him to assume responsibilities in life, and that is where the rub is – he begins to hear of and seek out the preacher / teacher who is creating havoc in the land with his big ideas. He is challenged by Jesus to serve him (Jesus) by learning to forgive and love others. It is a hard pill to swallow and Daniel leaves disappointed.
A house call from the Teacher cures his sister, and Daniel finds a way to overcome the hate that consumes him. Themes of prejudice, hatred, conquered people, faith, familial responsibilities, moral ethics – right and wrong, lifestyle choices ripple through the story.
EGS’s writing is sweeping and of its time. There are dated references that wouldn’t pass current social filters, but that’s part of the perspective, part of the truth of history sitting smack in the middle of fiction. I love it still, and yeah, it made me cry. Thinking about the moment. . . .Christ at his front door, to check on him (Daniel). . . .well, if Himself showed up at my front door to check on me I would fall apart and listen up, too.
4 stars. . . .and 1 bonus point from mom wherever she is. . .
Written in 1961, full of the excitement of Israel in the world, and new discoveries in that part of it, this is a story of a young man in the same space and time that Jesus, son of Mary and Joseph, was beginning his ministry.
The book is placed in the YA category, and is something I had never read before. Elizabeth George Speare was a favorite author of both me and my mom. But I’d never read this one. Our family went to the library a couple of times per week, and I was surprised when it came up in the search for her books. I loved the Witch of Blackbird Pond, The Calico Captive and Life in Colonial America. A subsequent search shows I’ve also missed The Prospering, and The Sign of the Beaver! They are on my list now.
Daniel had a difficult life, and revenge is his reason for living – revenge against all things, persons and roads Roman. He is of an age in which he is trying to find a leader and cause that will best accomplish the downfall of Rome. It is complicated by his family (including a “possessed” sister) and the need for him to assume responsibilities in life, and that is where the rub is – he begins to hear of and seek out the preacher / teacher who is creating havoc in the land with his big ideas. He is challenged by Jesus to serve him (Jesus) by learning to forgive and love others. It is a hard pill to swallow and Daniel leaves disappointed.
A house call from the Teacher cures his sister, and Daniel finds a way to overcome the hate that consumes him. Themes of prejudice, hatred, conquered people, faith, familial responsibilities, moral ethics – right and wrong, lifestyle choices ripple through the story.
EGS’s writing is sweeping and of its time. There are dated references that wouldn’t pass current social filters, but that’s part of the perspective, part of the truth of history sitting smack in the middle of fiction. I love it still, and yeah, it made me cry. Thinking about the moment. . . .Christ at his front door, to check on him (Daniel). . . .well, if Himself showed up at my front door to check on me I would fall apart and listen up, too.
4 stars. . . .and 1 bonus point from mom wherever she is. . .
October 11, 2014
After a slow start, this book kept getting better and better, richer and richer, and the end made me cry.
For the record, there are only two other books that have made me cry: Bambi and Black Beauty. Maybe Where the Red Fern grows. And no animals died in this book! In fact, none of the main characters died in this book. But what happened on the last page, between the Jew, Daniel and the Roman, Marcus, just choked me up - in a good way, though.
I read this with my 9 and 12 year old girls for school and they loved it too. It's written from the perspective of Daniel, a young man with a very bitter heart (his father was killed by the Romans and his mother died soon after); the other two main characters are Leah (his younger sister), and Thacia, his friend Joel's sister. Daniel is a little hard to take because of his bitterness, but all the other characters: Simon, Rosh, Joktan, Samson, Joel, the two girls, and Marcus (toward the end) are so well drawn their names are emblazoned in my memory. Jesus makes a few appearances and is very striking in each small scene he's in.
Excellent historical setting in Roman-occupied Israel; lots of details about Jewish culture and its different aspects (zealots, teachers of the law, celebrations, even dining customs) without being overwhelming.
Loved discovering the significance of the title in chapter 7:
God is my strong refuge,
and has made my way safe.
He made my feet like hind's feet, and set me secure on the heights.
He trains my hands for war,
so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. (Psalm 18:32-34)
Daniel makes another discovery about the bronze bow in the last chapter that made me catch my breath.
Thacia was my favorite character, especially when she'd dress up in boys clothes to be able to travel around in freedom.
What a nice change from the usual historical story line with arranged marriages! But poor Thace! Because Daniel is
Samson was another favorite character: I loved it whenever he showed up, even though he was mute. I enjoyed speculating the entire book what role he might play: I knew he would do something important but I never expected what his role would actually be.
Highly, highly recommend this book and was so thrilled that it was included on my daughters' reading lists for public school.
For the record, there are only two other books that have made me cry: Bambi and Black Beauty. Maybe Where the Red Fern grows. And no animals died in this book! In fact, none of the main characters died in this book. But what happened on the last page, between the Jew, Daniel and the Roman, Marcus, just choked me up - in a good way, though.
I read this with my 9 and 12 year old girls for school and they loved it too. It's written from the perspective of Daniel, a young man with a very bitter heart (his father was killed by the Romans and his mother died soon after); the other two main characters are Leah (his younger sister), and Thacia, his friend Joel's sister. Daniel is a little hard to take because of his bitterness, but all the other characters: Simon, Rosh, Joktan, Samson, Joel, the two girls, and Marcus (toward the end) are so well drawn their names are emblazoned in my memory. Jesus makes a few appearances and is very striking in each small scene he's in.
Excellent historical setting in Roman-occupied Israel; lots of details about Jewish culture and its different aspects (zealots, teachers of the law, celebrations, even dining customs) without being overwhelming.
Loved discovering the significance of the title in chapter 7:
God is my strong refuge,
and has made my way safe.
He made my feet like hind's feet, and set me secure on the heights.
He trains my hands for war,
so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. (Psalm 18:32-34)
"It couldn't really be bronze," said Daniel, puzzled. "The strongest man could not bend a bow of bronze."
"Perhaps just the tips were metal," Joel suggested.
"No," Thacia spoke. "I think it was really bronze. I think David meant a bow that a man couldn't bend - that when God strengthens us we can do something that seems impossible."
Daniel makes another discovery about the bronze bow in the last chapter that made me catch my breath.
Thacia was my favorite character, especially when she'd dress up in boys clothes to be able to travel around in freedom.
Her brother Josh: "Father regrets now that he's allowed her so much freedom to go about with me. Thace is spoiled. She isn't used to staying at home the way most girls do."
It will be like caging a wild bird from the mountain, Daniel thought.
Joel looked away then, into a far corner of the shop. "Father wants to arrange a marriage for her," he said.
Daniel was not even aware that his hands reached out or that his knuckles whitened around a hammer handle.
"There is an old friend of the family," Joel went on. "But Thacia won't hear of it. it puts Father in a hard position, because, not matter how he regrets it, he is bound by his own promise. You see, it's different with our family. When our mother was only eight years old she was betrothed. But when she was fifteen my father, who was a poor student, came to do some worked in her father's library, and they fell in love. It caused a terrible uproar. Her father was furious. He had to get divorce papers from the boy she had never even laid eyes on. She and Father promised each other then that they would never arrange marriages for their children against their will, that they would let us choose for ourselves."
What a nice change from the usual historical story line with arranged marriages! But poor Thace! Because Daniel is
Samson was another favorite character: I loved it whenever he showed up, even though he was mute. I enjoyed speculating the entire book what role he might play: I knew he would do something important but I never expected what his role would actually be.
Highly, highly recommend this book and was so thrilled that it was included on my daughters' reading lists for public school.
May 31, 2022
It’s pretty rare for books to make me cry, but this story pulled my heart in places that often go untouched. This was my first time reading a historical fiction book about Jesus and his disciples, and it was truly inspiring and captivating.
There are so many words to describe the greatness of Jesus, but there also aren’t enough. I’m always at a loss for words at His kindness and grace, His gentleness and merciful justice. And the best part? He’s not just a character made up in good stories, He’s real.
Gosh, this story was so beautiful. I’d read this novel again in a heartbeat. Definitely one of my all time favorites!
There are so many words to describe the greatness of Jesus, but there also aren’t enough. I’m always at a loss for words at His kindness and grace, His gentleness and merciful justice. And the best part? He’s not just a character made up in good stories, He’s real.
Gosh, this story was so beautiful. I’d read this novel again in a heartbeat. Definitely one of my all time favorites!
May 1, 2018
I read this book alongside my Challenge A student for school. We both enjoyed the story and character development.
March 27, 2023
I judge books by their covers, I’m ashamed to say, but really doesn’t everyone?! And this cover… well, it doesn’t exactly draw me in😂. So despite that fact, and despite that I didn’t really like the author’s other Newbery award winning book The Witch of Blackbird Pond, I read this book anyway! And I’m so glad I did!
It was the PERFECT book to read during downtime on my tour of the holy lands. It tells the story of Daniel, who lives in first century Galilee, Israel. His life is so different from anything we can comprehend: he lost his parents to the Romans who occupy their area, he wants revenge so he joins a group of rebels in the mountains, he must finally cope with his parents’ death and his sister’s mental instability.
My favorite thing about the book is that I didn’t know exactly where it was going. There are so many things to discuss with this story, issues related to Christianity, and then also issues completely unrelated to the Biblical aspects of the book. I could honestly go on for a while on the depth of it. And I would need a whole other review to talk about why this is a great book for a kid to read.
If you like Ruta Sepetys’ books and Jennifer Nielsen’s, then you will like this one! Also you will like it if you enjoy the show The Chosen. This would be a great book to read with your teenager and discuss as you go along.
It was the PERFECT book to read during downtime on my tour of the holy lands. It tells the story of Daniel, who lives in first century Galilee, Israel. His life is so different from anything we can comprehend: he lost his parents to the Romans who occupy their area, he wants revenge so he joins a group of rebels in the mountains, he must finally cope with his parents’ death and his sister’s mental instability.
My favorite thing about the book is that I didn’t know exactly where it was going. There are so many things to discuss with this story, issues related to Christianity, and then also issues completely unrelated to the Biblical aspects of the book. I could honestly go on for a while on the depth of it. And I would need a whole other review to talk about why this is a great book for a kid to read.
If you like Ruta Sepetys’ books and Jennifer Nielsen’s, then you will like this one! Also you will like it if you enjoy the show The Chosen. This would be a great book to read with your teenager and discuss as you go along.
April 16, 2015
Although this is well-written (and won a Newbery Award) the content was essentially just propaganda.
The protagonist, Daniel, is an adolescent Jewish boy living in Galilee, whose father was killed by the Romans. At the beginning of the novel, he has run away from the blacksmith to whom he is apprenticed and is fighting in the mountains with a sort of partisan group headed by a man named Rosh. He has left behind a poor grandmother and a mentally ill sister named Leah. He makes friends with another boy his age, Joel, the son of a wealthy Pharisee, and his twin sister Thace (Malthace). Eventually, they meet Jesus and abandon their hatred for the Romans in favor of loving everyone.
To begin with a red herring, I did not find this to be antisemitic as many reviewers on Amazon claimed; of course it treated the Pharisees (the ancestors of modern Judaism) as purely legalistic and elitist, which is a misrepresentation, but not as insincere hypocrites -- in other words, it was about as fair as a Christian work could be which is constrained to follow the New Testament. The Christians and the Pharisees were opponents. Neither do I think that it was particularly referring in some oblique way to the modern Zionists -- if it had, I would have considered that a plus, but the whole tenor of the book is that Israel is the land given by God to the Jews.
The real point of the book is that it is wrong to fight against oppression "by the sword", that nationally oppressed peoples and the poor should love their oppressors and wait patiently for God to deliver them. In the context of the national liberation movements of the time (this was written in the late fifties -- published 1961 -- when the colonial world was freeing itself from the modern Romans, Britain, France and the US) and the civil rights movement in the US, this was the message of religious conservatism.
Even a book like this, of course, is useful if one reads it critically; that is, it is probably quite accurate that the first result of Christianity was to subvert the liberation movement against Rome -- all indications are that the Romans and the Christians got along quite well together in the early days of the religion, while the Jews were fighting and being suppressed and ultimately driven out of Palestine. Later on, of course, as the Christians became more powerful and it became apparent they had their own agenda, the two became hostile until the Christians had conquered the Empire itself, and both sides revised the history accordingly. (Cf. the way the British and US built up and funded the radical Islamic movement to use against the Soviets, and how quickly that history was revised the day after September 11, tuning George Bush the funder of the Taliban into George Bush the heroic warrior against "Terrorism")
The suggestion that the Zealots were really bandits using national liberation as a cover was part of the propaganda; of couse after World War II the prestige of the (mainly left-wing) anti-Nazi partisan groups was very high, and in many places (Greece, Yugoslavia, China, Vietnam -- even to some extent in Western Europe itself) they had become enemies of the capitalist restoration to power. There were differences naturally among the partisans and the degree to which they were ideologically motivated; especially in China there were bandits as well as Communists and Nationalists involved (see Mo Yan's Red Sorghum), but this book tries to suggest that all liberation movements are suspect.
Finally, at the beginning I thought that apart from the propaganda aspect it was at least a good historical novel; but as I read I noted too many mistakes. The references to sending prisoners "to the galleys" is completely anachronistic and owes more to Ben Hur than to history -- galley slaves were an invention of the Renaissance; the ancient galleys were rowed by free men. (They had to be, since the rowers had to double as marines when they arrived at their destination -- the ancient galleys weren't so efficient that they could carry a large number of non-rowers. The heroes of the Iliad rowed the "well-benched ships" themselves.) This is why the aristocracy and the democracy at Athens alternated so regularly -- the landowners dominated when the sailors (i.e. rowers) were at sea, the people when they came back and the farmers were busy with the harvest.
So why was I reading this children's book to begin with? It was the reading for the Library's adult book club -- I looked forward for years to having a book discussion for adults and so far most of the readings have been for children or YA. Quite disappointing.
The protagonist, Daniel, is an adolescent Jewish boy living in Galilee, whose father was killed by the Romans. At the beginning of the novel, he has run away from the blacksmith to whom he is apprenticed and is fighting in the mountains with a sort of partisan group headed by a man named Rosh. He has left behind a poor grandmother and a mentally ill sister named Leah. He makes friends with another boy his age, Joel, the son of a wealthy Pharisee, and his twin sister Thace (Malthace). Eventually, they meet Jesus and abandon their hatred for the Romans in favor of loving everyone.
To begin with a red herring, I did not find this to be antisemitic as many reviewers on Amazon claimed; of course it treated the Pharisees (the ancestors of modern Judaism) as purely legalistic and elitist, which is a misrepresentation, but not as insincere hypocrites -- in other words, it was about as fair as a Christian work could be which is constrained to follow the New Testament. The Christians and the Pharisees were opponents. Neither do I think that it was particularly referring in some oblique way to the modern Zionists -- if it had, I would have considered that a plus, but the whole tenor of the book is that Israel is the land given by God to the Jews.
The real point of the book is that it is wrong to fight against oppression "by the sword", that nationally oppressed peoples and the poor should love their oppressors and wait patiently for God to deliver them. In the context of the national liberation movements of the time (this was written in the late fifties -- published 1961 -- when the colonial world was freeing itself from the modern Romans, Britain, France and the US) and the civil rights movement in the US, this was the message of religious conservatism.
Even a book like this, of course, is useful if one reads it critically; that is, it is probably quite accurate that the first result of Christianity was to subvert the liberation movement against Rome -- all indications are that the Romans and the Christians got along quite well together in the early days of the religion, while the Jews were fighting and being suppressed and ultimately driven out of Palestine. Later on, of course, as the Christians became more powerful and it became apparent they had their own agenda, the two became hostile until the Christians had conquered the Empire itself, and both sides revised the history accordingly. (Cf. the way the British and US built up and funded the radical Islamic movement to use against the Soviets, and how quickly that history was revised the day after September 11, tuning George Bush the funder of the Taliban into George Bush the heroic warrior against "Terrorism")
The suggestion that the Zealots were really bandits using national liberation as a cover was part of the propaganda; of couse after World War II the prestige of the (mainly left-wing) anti-Nazi partisan groups was very high, and in many places (Greece, Yugoslavia, China, Vietnam -- even to some extent in Western Europe itself) they had become enemies of the capitalist restoration to power. There were differences naturally among the partisans and the degree to which they were ideologically motivated; especially in China there were bandits as well as Communists and Nationalists involved (see Mo Yan's Red Sorghum), but this book tries to suggest that all liberation movements are suspect.
Finally, at the beginning I thought that apart from the propaganda aspect it was at least a good historical novel; but as I read I noted too many mistakes. The references to sending prisoners "to the galleys" is completely anachronistic and owes more to Ben Hur than to history -- galley slaves were an invention of the Renaissance; the ancient galleys were rowed by free men. (They had to be, since the rowers had to double as marines when they arrived at their destination -- the ancient galleys weren't so efficient that they could carry a large number of non-rowers. The heroes of the Iliad rowed the "well-benched ships" themselves.) This is why the aristocracy and the democracy at Athens alternated so regularly -- the landowners dominated when the sailors (i.e. rowers) were at sea, the people when they came back and the farmers were busy with the harvest.
So why was I reading this children's book to begin with? It was the reading for the Library's adult book club -- I looked forward for years to having a book discussion for adults and so far most of the readings have been for children or YA. Quite disappointing.
November 30, 2007
The story of a young Jewish boy, living with a group of Jewish outlaws, awaiting the coming of the Savior (whom they believe will save them from political opression). But when the boy actually meets Jesus Christ, and listens to his teachings, he battles with his faith. He's torn between the kind of salvation Christ is offering, versus the political freedom he thought the Savior would offer.
This story is captivating in the sense that everyone thinks that if they lived in the time of Christ, and heard his teachings, that they would undoubtedly believe. But to see the conversion of this young Jewish boy, makes you realize that it wasn't easy for the people to break away from what they had been taught, and accept Christ.
I love this story, and I think it is a valuable read and has an amazing message of faith.
This story is captivating in the sense that everyone thinks that if they lived in the time of Christ, and heard his teachings, that they would undoubtedly believe. But to see the conversion of this young Jewish boy, makes you realize that it wasn't easy for the people to break away from what they had been taught, and accept Christ.
I love this story, and I think it is a valuable read and has an amazing message of faith.
August 23, 2014
Poorly conceived and written. The pacing is atrocious: 75% of the story was pointless and could have been cut out without loosing anything. The ending was convenient and solved with magical powers. The characters were one-dimensional and unbelievable, and the whole point of the book is to beat readers over the head with a moral. On top of that, it's incredibly racist: the only black character is a mute, deaf, simpleton who makes the main character his "master." There is quite literally NOTHING good to say about this book.
For a newberry-winning historical book from the 60's, try The Golden Goblet. It's not earth-shaking, but it is entertaining, educational, and has true heart.
For a newberry-winning historical book from the 60's, try The Golden Goblet. It's not earth-shaking, but it is entertaining, educational, and has true heart.
April 11, 2019
The story of Daniel, a teen at the time of Christ who is consumed by his hatred of the Romans. But as he cares for his sister and encounters Jesus, will his life change? I loved this book when I read it in 8th grade, and every time I read it, I'm pulled in all over again. Amazing and powerful.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
September 22, 2017
A great story about a boy living in the time of Jesus.
September 6, 2022
Compared to other books like this one, such as God King, Hittite Warrior, and Victory on the Walls, this was pretty good! That's why I rated it three stars. But as a story I did not like this book.
May 27, 2024
I am shocked we didn’t have to read this at Saint Clement. Shocked!
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