Amit Arad's Blog
May 23, 2024
New hardcover English edition
The Rise of the Maccabees When I wrote the Lions of Judea series, I felt a sense of mission, but these days it has intensified.
The Lions of Judea books are deep, most emotional, and educational introduction of the Jewish people, through a gripping historical novel that describes the geopolitical and internal circumstances that led to the Maccabee rebellion against the Seleucid empire.
In light of what's happening today, we have released the books in a hardcover English edition, which is more suitable as a prestigious gift.
I invite you to read and give them to your friends
The Lions of Judea books are deep, most emotional, and educational introduction of the Jewish people, through a gripping historical novel that describes the geopolitical and internal circumstances that led to the Maccabee rebellion against the Seleucid empire.
In light of what's happening today, we have released the books in a hardcover English edition, which is more suitable as a prestigious gift.
I invite you to read and give them to your friends
September 22, 2020
Lions of Judea TV series
What an excitement !!! I received a summary of the 3-season series based on my books from the Hollywood production company that acquired the rights.
As great as the joy eas, so is the disappointment, after discovering that the screenwriter was not exactly realizing the vision I had when I wrote the books.
What to do?! In the past I was involved in writing and producing films, so I sat down and wrote my version of the series and sent it to the production company. In the meantime, their response was that they thank me and will study the script I wrote carefully. So we are optimistic. Health everyone.
As great as the joy eas, so is the disappointment, after discovering that the screenwriter was not exactly realizing the vision I had when I wrote the books.
What to do?! In the past I was involved in writing and producing films, so I sat down and wrote my version of the series and sent it to the production company. In the meantime, their response was that they thank me and will study the script I wrote carefully. So we are optimistic. Health everyone.
August 22, 2020
Lions of Judea Book 1 is Free Today
The first book in the series is now on sale for free on Amazon, hurry up and take the opportunity and invite it to a friend or yourselfThe Rise of the Maccabees
August 10, 2020
The story behind the story or how I came to write the book
The Rise of the Maccabees
In 2008, I came across an article about the Judean Desert scrolls and I was amazed to understand that I didn't know the truth about Judaism in the period of pre-Christianity. This discovery led me to an in-depth study of the period, which evolved into the understanding of the Maccabees Rebellion and the creation of the Hasmonean kingdom that dominated the land of Israel for a hundred years, and later on the performance of Christianity on the one hand and rabbinical Judaism on the other.
I also understood that the majority of the public, Jews and certainly not Jews, do not know the true story of the Maccabees Rebellion, which is an extraordinary heroic story, but also the outcome of events in the international arena, some of which even similar to reality today (the history repeats itself?!) and that the whole story can contribute to a better understanding of the world today.
As a keen fan of historical novels and films based on historical novels, it was clear to me that it was the right way to tell and spread the story. But from here to writing a historical novel - the distance is huge. I have decided then to embark on a journey of personal development in which I have learned to write as a writer and not as an attorney. I was assisted by a number of first-class literary editors; I struggled, invested time and money, without compromise, in order to achieve a result of a high-quality historical novel.
The result was a historical novel in one volume published in 2014 in Hebrew, accompanied by YouTube videos. Readers ' comments and critics were positive but it was clear to me that my task would not be completed until the book will be translated into other languages, so many readers from all over the world can read, enjoy and learn. Again I went on a literary journey to English translation, assisted by the best professionals, in which the book was almost written and edited entirely. And so, in 2019, the story was published as a two-volume series in English and in 2020 as a single volume in Russian, while the copyright was sold to produce a series and feature film.
In 2008, I came across an article about the Judean Desert scrolls and I was amazed to understand that I didn't know the truth about Judaism in the period of pre-Christianity. This discovery led me to an in-depth study of the period, which evolved into the understanding of the Maccabees Rebellion and the creation of the Hasmonean kingdom that dominated the land of Israel for a hundred years, and later on the performance of Christianity on the one hand and rabbinical Judaism on the other.
I also understood that the majority of the public, Jews and certainly not Jews, do not know the true story of the Maccabees Rebellion, which is an extraordinary heroic story, but also the outcome of events in the international arena, some of which even similar to reality today (the history repeats itself?!) and that the whole story can contribute to a better understanding of the world today.
As a keen fan of historical novels and films based on historical novels, it was clear to me that it was the right way to tell and spread the story. But from here to writing a historical novel - the distance is huge. I have decided then to embark on a journey of personal development in which I have learned to write as a writer and not as an attorney. I was assisted by a number of first-class literary editors; I struggled, invested time and money, without compromise, in order to achieve a result of a high-quality historical novel.
The result was a historical novel in one volume published in 2014 in Hebrew, accompanied by YouTube videos. Readers ' comments and critics were positive but it was clear to me that my task would not be completed until the book will be translated into other languages, so many readers from all over the world can read, enjoy and learn. Again I went on a literary journey to English translation, assisted by the best professionals, in which the book was almost written and edited entirely. And so, in 2019, the story was published as a two-volume series in English and in 2020 as a single volume in Russian, while the copyright was sold to produce a series and feature film.
August 7, 2020
Russian edition
The Knizhniki Publishing House is excited to announce the release of the Russian edition of Amit Arad's "Lions of Judea". Based on extensive research this epic novel reconstructs Judea of the 2nd century BCE and brings to life the legendary story of the Maccabees. An engrossing read for all history lovers!
Издательство "Книжники" радо сообщить о выходе русскоязычного издания книги израильского автора Амита Арада "Иудейские львы". История знаменитого движения Маккавеев оживает на страницах этого романа-эпоса, воссоздающего дух древней Иудеи и предающего плоть и кровь героям, известным нам только по сухим описаниям в учебниках. Увлекательное чтение для любителей истории!
Издательство "Книжники" радо сообщить о выходе русскоязычного издания книги израильского автора Амита Арада "Иудейские львы". История знаменитого движения Маккавеев оживает на страницах этого романа-эпоса, воссоздающего дух древней Иудеи и предающего плоть и кровь героям, известным нам только по сухим описаниям в учебниках. Увлекательное чтение для любителей истории!
March 17, 2020
The Double Life of the author: the reality of the Corona versus the historical fiction reality
The government has closed the state, officially not completely, but in practice there are no meetings, no conferences, everything goes into standby.
Fortunately for me in 158 BC, there was no Corona, and this is the year I write about as part of the third book of the Lions of Judea series. And when I say writing, you have to understand, it is actually living at that time.
So I am living a double life these days: once in the delusional reality of the year 2020 in which a primitive virus disables the advanced world with the global economy and every real or fake news spreads through digital media in seconds to all of humanity, and then as I write, or think, about my characters, I move to live in a historical fiction of 2,200 years ago, where humanity was almost devoid of technology, yet still the East was in struggle against the West, and people were not much different from us today.
Fortunately for me in 158 BC, there was no Corona, and this is the year I write about as part of the third book of the Lions of Judea series. And when I say writing, you have to understand, it is actually living at that time.
So I am living a double life these days: once in the delusional reality of the year 2020 in which a primitive virus disables the advanced world with the global economy and every real or fake news spreads through digital media in seconds to all of humanity, and then as I write, or think, about my characters, I move to live in a historical fiction of 2,200 years ago, where humanity was almost devoid of technology, yet still the East was in struggle against the West, and people were not much different from us today.
February 28, 2020
Lions of Judea Prequel now for free
Priests of WarHello all, Priests of War: Lions of Judea Historical Novels Prequel availble now for free.
The series also availble for free with Amazon Kindle Unlimited, or order Paperback. Audio book coming March 31, 2020
Priests of War
December 23, 2019
Chanukah fake history
The phrase "fake news" has taken hold in reality today, but long before leaders used "fake history". Chanukah for example was originally set by the Hasmoneans in memory of the Maccabees victory and the purification of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. For political reasons, Jewish leaders in the later centuries wanted to dwarf and even extinguish the historical part of the Maccabees, and this resulted in the addition of the story of the miracle of the oil can and the lamp.
Thanks to Christianity which sanctified and preserved the Maccabean books, we now know the facts about the Maccabees and their heroic and courageous story, and especially about Judah the Maccabee, who was a legendary warrior but most of all a great warlord and visionary national leader.
Without detracting from the wonderful and just words of Prime Minister Boris Johnson today, it is interesting to see and hear how different politicians today use the Chanukah holiday for political purposes.
https://www.facebook.com/borisjohnson...
Thanks to Christianity which sanctified and preserved the Maccabean books, we now know the facts about the Maccabees and their heroic and courageous story, and especially about Judah the Maccabee, who was a legendary warrior but most of all a great warlord and visionary national leader.
Without detracting from the wonderful and just words of Prime Minister Boris Johnson today, it is interesting to see and hear how different politicians today use the Chanukah holiday for political purposes.
https://www.facebook.com/borisjohnson...
September 24, 2019
First post for the launch of the first book in the Lions of Judea series and its entry into the Amazon bestseller list
The Rise of the Maccabees
I am excited and proud of the Lions of Judea series that was written as a result of research over five years, while I'm uncertain if the books be even published. What pushed me, beyond the pleasure of writing, was the thought that this is a story that is not well enough known while it is important, engaging and relevant to the present.
I wrote the books, first of all, as a fun read and exciting novel about friendship, leadership, love, courage and creativity.
While reading, the reader becomes aware of a historical story about the first attempt in human history to destroy religion, at that time the only monotheistic religion that existed, as well as the struggles and transformations of the original Jewish religion, in the period before Christianity and sacred to it.
However, it is important to note that the book is not told from a Jewish point of view, but on the contrary, it is based on historical facts and reviews events from a broad, even international perspective, with ancient Rome playing an important role in what took place.
Thank you for reading this post and I hope you will enjoy reading the books at least as I enjoyed writing them.
I am excited and proud of the Lions of Judea series that was written as a result of research over five years, while I'm uncertain if the books be even published. What pushed me, beyond the pleasure of writing, was the thought that this is a story that is not well enough known while it is important, engaging and relevant to the present.
I wrote the books, first of all, as a fun read and exciting novel about friendship, leadership, love, courage and creativity.
While reading, the reader becomes aware of a historical story about the first attempt in human history to destroy religion, at that time the only monotheistic religion that existed, as well as the struggles and transformations of the original Jewish religion, in the period before Christianity and sacred to it.
However, it is important to note that the book is not told from a Jewish point of view, but on the contrary, it is based on historical facts and reviews events from a broad, even international perspective, with ancient Rome playing an important role in what took place.
Thank you for reading this post and I hope you will enjoy reading the books at least as I enjoyed writing them.
