Could our sense of who we are really turn on a sliver of DNA? In our multiethnic world; questions of individual identity are becoming increasingly unclear. Now in ABRAHAM'S CHILDREN bestselling author Jon Entine vividly brings to life the profound human implications of the Age of Genetics while illuminating one of today's most controversial topics: the connection between genetics and who we are; and specifically the question "Who is a Jew?"Entine weaves a fascinating narrative; using breakthroughs in genetic genealogy to reconstruct the Jewish biblical tradition of the chosen people and the hereditary Israelite priestly caste of Cohanim. Synagogues in the mountains of India and China and Catholic churches with a Jewish identity in New Mexico and Colorado provide different patterns of connection within the tangled history of the Jewish diaspora. Legendary accounts of the Hebrew lineage of Ethiopian tribesmen; the building of Africa's Great Zimbabwe fortress; and even the so-called Lost Tribes are reexamined in light of advanced DNA technology. Entine also reveals the shared ancestry of Israelites and Christians. As people from across the world discover their Israelite roots; their riveting stories unveil exciting new approaches to defining one's identity. Not least; Entine addresses possible connections between DNA and Jewish intelligence and the controversial notion that Jews are a "race apart." ABRAHAM'S CHILDREN is a compelling reinterpretation of biblical history and a challenging and exciting illustration of the promise and power of genetic research.
#50251 in Books 2011-09-06 2011-09-06Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 7.56 x .81 x 4.25l; .45 #File Name: 0425244288320 pages
Review
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Not for the faint of heartBy SwiftyThis autobiography was a difficult read ; the torture ; the fear and the pain in each day of this captivity breaks the heart. Yet it is important to see Natascha's will to live and to survive to live her own life. It takes tremendous courage to endure such suffering ; and even more courage to write about it . There are many lessons to be learned ; to have neighbors who never saw what was right in front of them ... And yet it continues; remember the Jean Smarts ; Jaycie; Michelle Knight and yet the list grows.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Honest and TouchingBy A readerThis book feels very honest and reflective. You don't doubt that Ms. Kampusch has wrestled with her demons and laid them bare for the reader. It is sad to read about cruelly she was treated by her captor; and impressive to read about her courage and fortitude to keep herself going for years; and even to resist her captor at times. It is very touching when she writes about having to seek his attention and affection; because she needed those things to stay sane. I wish she would have also described the basics of their sexual relationship; as that was obviously a key part of their interaction and a main reason she was abducted. But you have to respect her desire for privacy. I hope Ms. Kampusch creates a happy life for herself now that she is free. I hope she finds a good relationship with a loving man; so she'll have an intense positive experience to counter the intense negative experience she had with Priklopil.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. amazing authorBy BookwormI have read a lot of books on this subject and it always amazes me how these people can get though this type of horrific circumstances and be so "all together" as they seem to be. This woman endured some terrible experiences. I can not even imagine what she went through. One thing I can never understand is why when presented with escape opportunities she did not act on them. Same thing with the Elizabeth Smart case. There were opportunities but they did not take them. I am do not mean to criticize because I obviously was not the one going through it but I wonder why. Worth the read for sure. My heart goes out to her.
