Review: Exodus by Leon Uris

Title: Exodus
Author: Leon Uris
Publisher: Open Road Media
Publication Date: September 27, 2011 (first published January 1, 1958)
Edition: eBook (608 pages)
Categories:

• Fiction
• Culture
• Historical Fiction
• Israel
• War

Literary Awards: National Jewish Book Award for Fiction (1959)

#1 New York Times bestseller for nineteen months.

Academy Award–winning film.

Exodus by Leon Uris

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Exodus, by Leon Uris, chronicles the events leading up to the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. It is a detailed account, blending historical fact together with real and fictional characters to create a most readable and interesting chronology.

One of the things that I so appreciated, as I read this book, is how much I learned about the history of the Jewish people and all that they have endured. That is definitely made clear in both the Old and New Testaments, but, somehow, seeing it played out in this book, made it seem much more real to me, and it provided a perspective in terms of world events I had not experienced before.

In my opinion, this work is a true masterpiece of historical research combined with great writing skill. The human factor is the thread that binds it together. This book is not a glorification of the ultimate triumph of a people. It is deep, sad, true life, and brilliantly written. It is also a testament to the sinfulness and goodness in the nature of man.