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My Glorious Brothers

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They were farmers — until the tumultuous events of history caught up with them.

Simon, the eldest of five brothers, tells how Judah molded the people of Judea into an army capable of defeating the mighty Greek Battalions. For three decades, the Maccabees carried on the struggle, which, in terms of resistance and liberation, has almost no parallel in human history. It was the first modern fight for freedom, the first victory for religious freedom, and it laid a pattern for many movements that followed.

My Glorious Brothers, by the master novelist and historian, Howard Fast (Spartacus, Freedom Road, April Morning), is a powerful recreation of the epic events, still celebrated by Jews the world over as the holiday of Hanukkah. Now a new generation of readers, both teenagers and adults, can thrill to the drama of this contemporary classic.

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1948

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About the author

Howard Fast

303 books253 followers
Howard Fast was one of the most prolific American writers of the twentieth century. He was a bestselling author of more than eighty works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and screenplays. The son of immigrants, Fast grew up in New York City and published his first novel upon finishing high school in 1933. In 1950, his refusal to provide the United States Congress with a list of possible Communist associates earned him a three-month prison sentence. During his incarceration, Fast wrote one of his best-known novels, Spartacus (1951). Throughout his long career, Fast matched his commitment to championing social justice in his writing with a deft, lively storytelling style.

Pseudonyms: Walter Ericson, E.V. Cunningham

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5 stars
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126 (32%)
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65 (16%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
Profile Image for Gary.
1,023 reviews256 followers
December 10, 2023
This review is dedicated to all the sons and daughters of Israel who have fell in defence of that remarkable land.
This wonderful book is essential for any Jew who wants to learn about his or her roots, any Christian who wants to learn more about the Judaic roots of his or her faith, and anyone else who wants to learn about the soul of the Jewish people.]
This is the story of the Maccabees- 5 glorious brothers who lead the rebellion by the Jewish people of Judea, against the cruel tyranny of that land's Greek and Syrian occupiers.
It is particularly relevant today, when the Jewish State is fighting for its life against cruel and ungodly forces that have decided that the Jewish people are no longer entitled to their homeland, and that Israel must disappear.
"We where slave in Egypt - and we will never forget that we where slaves in Egypt. So it must have been then, in the long ago, when our people, twelve tribes of them, sick with wandering and longing for rest, came out of the desert and saw the wooded hills and fertile valleys of Palestine'.
Once more the Jews have returned from their homeland, this time after two thousand years of persecution, and soon the lion will be awaken in the souls of the Jewish people to protect their land, from those who would kill their children and take it way, as the Maccabees did so with the Greek and Syrian invaders.
We read how a pretty eight year old girl, Deborah, the daughter of the schoolmaster Lebel is brutally murdered on the orders of the Greek warden of Judea, Apelles, and we are reminded of the slaughter of Jewish children by Arab terrorists, who much of the world, today support. It is these many incidents of cruelty and the desecration of the Jewish peoples' holy places that leads the peace loving people of Judea to become fierce warriors who's message to the world is: "We have extracted the price of freedom, which is always counted in blood, even as Moses did, and Joshua and Gideon too. From here on, we will not ask forgiveness, only for strength, for strength."
In a chillingly familiar parallel the attitude of those who support Palestinian terror,we read of the edict by the Greek King Antiochus, that to kill a Jew is no longer a crime but a virtue".

We learn how the peaceful Hebrew people, a people who ask nothing more than to determine their own future, in their own homeland, are forced to become warlike and to avenge the blood of its children: "They will pay -for every lick of flame, for every drop of blood, for every hurt."
There is always a message of hope: 'Simon a free people cannot be conquered - for us it is always the beginning, always the beginning."
It is this hope enshrined in the depiction of the beauty of the land of Israel, the only homeland of the Jewish people, and the beauty of it's children living in peace:
"Never was Israel like this before in all it's time, for the children played without fear, laughing as they ran through the grass, and splashed in streams. On the hillsides, the white lambs bleated for their mothers, and between the rocks pink and white flowers grew. Nowhere was there a break in the terraces; layer upon layer, they climbed the slopes, and the crop was a good thing to see, so rich and verdant. Who could see such things and deny that this was the land of milk and honey, blessed and thrice blessed".
Profile Image for Miguel G Ferrera.
81 reviews31 followers
April 6, 2021
Un novelón histórico que se lee como un libro de aventuras. Muy bueno.

Howard Fast nos trae la historia de los Macabeos, una familia judía que lideró el levantamiento del pueblo contra la ocupación griega. Fue una guerra de tres décadas contra los conquistadores, probablemente la primera lucha moderna por la libertad. En sus páginas descubriremos la figura de Judas Macabeo y hermanos, siempre bajo la inspiración de su padre, y cómo su liderazgo fue decisivo en la forja de un pueblo que perdura hasta hoy.
Profile Image for Gary.
1,023 reviews256 followers
December 15, 2025
This review is dedicated to all the sons and daughters of Israel who have fell in defence of that remarkable land.
This wonderful book is essential for any Jew who wants to learn about his or her roots, any Christian who wants to learn more about the Judaic roots of his or her faith, and anyone else who wants to learn about the soul of the Jewish people.]
This is the story of the Maccabees- 5 glorious brothers who lead the rebellion by the Jewish people of Judea, against the cruel tyranny of that land's Greek and Syrian occupiers.
It is particularly relevant today, when the Jewish State is fighting for its life against cruel and ungodly forces that have decided that the Jewish people are no longer entitled to their homeland, and that Israel must disappear.
"We where slave in Egypt - and we will never forget that we where slaves in Egypt. So it must have been then, in the long ago, when our people, twelve tribes of them, sick with wandering and longing for rest, came out of the desert and saw the wooded hills and fertile valleys of Palestine'.
Once more the Jews have returned from their homeland, this time after two thousand years of persecution, and soon the lion will be awaken in the souls of the Jewish people to protect their land, from those who would kill their children and take it way, as the Maccabees did so with the Greek and Syrian invaders.
We read how a pretty eight year old girl, Deborah, the daughter of the schoolmaster Lebel is brutally murdered on the orders of the Greek warden of Judea, Apelles, and we are reminded of the slaughter of Jewish children by Arab terrorists, who much of the world, today support. It is these many incidents of cruelty and the desecration of the Jewish peoples' holy places that leads the peace loving people of Judea to become fierce warriors who's message to the world is: "We have extracted the price of freedom, which is always counted in blood, even as Moses did, and Joshua and Gideon too. From here on, we will not ask forgiveness, only for strength, for strength."
In a chillingly familiar parallel the attitude of those who support Palestinian terror,we read of the edict by the Greek King Antiochus, that to kill a Jew is no longer a crime but a virtue".

We learn how the peaceful Hebrew people, a people who ask nothing more than to determine their own future, in their own homeland, are forced to become warlike and to avenge the blood of its children: "They will pay -for every lick of flame, for every drop of blood, for every hurt."
There is always a message of hope: 'Simon a free people cannot be conquered - for us it is always the beginning, always the beginning."
It is this hope enshrined in the depiction of the beauty of the land of Israel, the only homeland of the Jewish people, and the beauty of it's children living in peace:
"Never was Israel like this before in all it's time, for the children played without fear, laughing as they ran through the grass, and splashed in streams. On the hillsides, the white lambs bleated for their mothers, and between the rocks pink and white flowers grew. Nowhere was there a break in the terraces; layer upon layer, they climbed the slopes, and the crop was a good thing to see, so rich and verdant. Who could see such things and deny that this was the land of milk and honey, blessed and thrice blessed".
Profile Image for Rebecca Huston.
1,063 reviews181 followers
March 3, 2013
A entertaining if rather brief novel about the revolt of the Maccabees in the second century BCE. Told in first person narrative by one of the brothers, Simon, it's pretty much an action novel but there is plenty of views on Judaism and why it is necessary to always fight for freedom. Some modern idiom and a bit of repetition at times, but still fairly readable and not too dated. Four stars overall, and worth the hunt.

For the longer review, please go here:
http://www.epinions.com/review/Howard...
Profile Image for Edgar Ramírez  Silva.
124 reviews
September 27, 2025
MIS GLORIOSOS HERMANOS

La historia que celebran los Judios llamada Jánuca o Fiesta de las Luces que es la reconstrucción del templo, se desarrolla 175 años antes de Cristo por la intervención y conquista del imperio Griego que después de la muerte de Alejandro Magno comienza el periodo de Legalización y los tronos Helenizadas donde las pueblos conquistados deben adquirir la cultura y costumbres, dioses, idioma griegas de ahí que algunos Judios se convierten en Judios Helenicos, en los intentos de conquista realizaron aberraciones, violaciones, matanzas, en estas revueltas aparecen los Matatías y sus cinco hermanos Juan, Simón, Judas, Eleazar y Jonatan, y fueron conocidos como los Macabeos.
La historia es narrada por Simón, que escribe su epopeya a un “nokrim” (extranjero) Lentuno Silanio.
Fantástica y entretenida la narración del autor, describe la época, la religión, las costumbres judías y griegas, la exclavitud, los mercenarios, y muy importante la visión de un extranjero “romano” como describe a este pueblo.

Recomiendo mucho de este autor Howard Fast Spartaco
Profile Image for Judy.
836 reviews11 followers
February 5, 2015
This historical novel has gotten many rave reviews since it was first published in 1948. It covers the Maccabee revolt against Greece in 167 B.C. Hanukkah has its roots in the events of this period, and I learned a lot about things I knew almost nothing about. Five Maccabean brothers are at the heart of the story, and the author does a good job exploring the characters of each, but overall the book reminded me a little too much of an Irving Stone novel. Historical fiction styles have changed, and this book felt outdated in its approach.
Profile Image for Laura Jean.
1,070 reviews16 followers
November 26, 2016
Wonderful historical fiction book about the Maccabean Revolt in 167 BCE. Mr. Fast is also a wonderful writer, describing Judea in vivid detail. Simon is also a very complex and conflicted character. I think my favorite part was the part from the point of view of the Roman legate. At first it was jarring, but then he painted an outsider's view of how the Jews were seen as well. When you pit this all against the fact that the book was published in 1948, it's a fascinating work from a Jewish author.
Profile Image for Susan Cosden.
86 reviews6 followers
December 25, 2020
This was a really enjoyable historical fiction of the Maccabees.
22 reviews
January 3, 2021
I enjoyed a lot this book. It is a short novel about the Maccabees and the wars that they fought.
Profile Image for Eskana.
520 reviews2 followers
May 12, 2020
A retelling of the story of the Maccabees from the Bible, "My Glorious Brothers" is a historical novel that seems to do its job well. The story is told from the point of view of Simon, one of the Maccabees, as he remembers his youth in the Jewish revolt against the oppressive Greek empire.
This is an older novel, and it reads like it. The writing is a bit stilted at times, and Simon's interactions and reactions with other characters aren't entirely clear, but it was not that hard to get through. His sideplot about the love of his life, as well, felt a little hokey, but once past that, this novel was pretty good. I liked the descriptions of the workings of the revolt, reading about the tactics and strategies used by the Maccabees and how they utilized the terrain to their advantage. After all, this revolt is historical, and it was pretty remarkable as well. Since the majority of the story is about this, I can say I enjoyed it. I also enjoyed the ritual of it all, how the revolt was tied up with their religion, culture, and history, and I think the author took a fair look at the Jewish culture by presenting it both in Simon's eyes and the eyes of an outside, the Roman who was receiving the story in a framing device.
Overall, a good read. For those of you who feel put off by overt religious themes, you won't really find them here. As mentioned before, the majority of the book is about the workings of the revolt itself and the culture of the Jewish people, and it doesn't come off as preachy at all.
57 reviews1 follower
January 21, 2018
I read this book (which came out in 1948) for my book club. It tells the story of the Macabbees from Modiin (Judas and his five brothers). Lots of descriptions of life under the Greeks, the temple, farm and village life too. They make it clear how the Jews held out for over 30 years. The book does not deepen your understanding of the Hanukkah story. I'm not sure where any of the information (like fighting the phalanx) comes from so the book is hard to appreciate.
Profile Image for Ruth.
4,715 reviews
April 11, 2023
15 Written in 1949 when the state of Israel was being born, this is a page turner. Full of historical references, it has not dated over the years. Although there are of course some religious references and a confusion of names(familiar because some appear in the Old Testament. ”Instead of a sword, they carry long heavy bladed, slightly curved knives which they use with terrible effect in close combat’
8 reviews
December 26, 2022
Excellent and thrilling story rooted in biblical history

Excellent read--highly recommended for Jew or Christian. Sound and deeply gritty--due to its great conviction and unshakable faith. A must read!..
Profile Image for Martin Denton.
Author 19 books28 followers
put-aside
April 6, 2023
I didn't get far in this; my move to northern NJ interrupted my progress and now I am not interested in returning to this, at least not now. Probably will give this a try later on.
Profile Image for Dale.
1,951 reviews66 followers
April 4, 2012
A great piece of historical fiction - strongly recommended

When I teach world history I always give my students a project in which they are to read a piece of historical fiction and do a bit of research. This book is exactly the type of book I recommend for them to read and why I created the project in the first place. My Glorious Brothers is well-written and re-creates a little bit of the historical world for the reader.

Set in 2nd Century B.C. Israel, this is a story of national liberation and freedom of religious expression. Many Protestants will be unfamiliar with the Maccabees since Maccabees 1-4 is not included in the Protestant Bible. This book is an ideal place to start to explore that time between the exile in Babylon and the Roman occupation that is featured in the New Testament...

Read more at: http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/2011/...
Profile Image for Patrick Johns.
175 reviews16 followers
September 25, 2012
If you like violent, blood-thirsty tales of mass murder, revenge, senseless killing, torture, bodily mutilation, and gloating over the murder of adversaries, then this is the book for you. If you want all your characters to be either glorious or innocent good guys, or evil despicable bad guys then so much the better. Should, in sooth, verily thou take unto thine heart writings beclothed in cheesy pseudo-biblical language, then you will love this. If you require that all references to sexual matters should be ambiguous, euphemistic and prudish , whilst nothing is held back in the graphical description of violent acts of physical desecration, then read this book.

If I believed the history presented in this book is accurate, I would be reluctant to light the Hannukah candles ever again. OK, maybe it redeemed itself a little in the final chapter.
176 reviews1 follower
April 20, 2011
Sourcebooks will be reissuing Fast's novel of the Maccabee revolt in Judea in 167 BC this fall. I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked this up, curious about the reference to the Jewish celebration of Hanakkah. Written in 1948, the same year Israel became an independent state, I got the impression Fast wrote the book as a statement to the world that the Jews fought for this land and won it with blood and tears way back in antiquity and there could be no question of their right to their homeland. This is a bloody exercise with heroic characters given to high ideals and a commitment to any sacrifice to acheive their freedom from the oppression of those would deny them their beliefs and religion. A real page turner that deserves to be found by a new generation of readers.
Profile Image for Manugw.
291 reviews11 followers
December 9, 2014
Good

Historial Fiction, based on real events. Describes the uprising of the Jews, who lived in Judea (Palestina) against the Greek occupation at the time (BC). The Greek forbade the Jews to comply with its most sacred beliefs so as to be absorbed into their culture. Interesting and amusing as classical learning material for those who want to know about the Jewish holiday of Chanukah (that marks the rededication of the Jewish Temple that was desecrated by the Greeks)
Third section of the book and this is the one I liked the most, provides interesting insights about how Jews are seen from the outside by somebody belonging to a totally different people that carries different values. He is not a Greek but keeps logical relation with those times

Profile Image for Marian.
65 reviews3 followers
Read
June 30, 2012
Enjoyed it...made me think about the way Jews (Christians) live in the world, with this sense of sureness and singularity and yet humility, and how it is unfathomable, even off-putting, to those who don't see the reality of what we've been given to see. Amazed at how knowing the permanent everlasting God changes your world and yourself.
43 reviews
February 22, 2013
The story of the Maccabees (and the origin of Hanukkah), told mostly from the viewpoint of one of the brothers, Simon. I didn't know much about the Maccabees before reading this, but Fast's skill at storytelling gives life to the people and historical events. This made me want to do further reading to gain more insight into that period of history.
Profile Image for Salvador Fornieles.
3 reviews1 follower
January 1, 2025
Incursionar en los libros históricos del Antiguo Testamento, como el caso de los Macabeos, era una asignatura pendiente. Me recomendaron leer este de Howard Fast y he quedado muy agradecido. Muy recomendable. La vida de los santos que dan su vida por Dios no solo interpela sino que también motivan. No sé arrepentirán de haberlo leído.
Profile Image for Betsy.
231 reviews1 follower
October 28, 2009
Doug Welton mailed me this ancient paperback that is quite literally falling apart. He asked me to read it. I am intersted in the story of the Maccabees so I have begun. It is written in very old fashioned language and does not flow easily.More later.
Profile Image for Allan.
10 reviews
April 7, 2016
Fantastic read: Gives reader an incite into the stubborn and defiant nature of the Jew protecting his homeland and faith.

I found it helpful in understanding the present conflict between Palestinian and Jew.
6 reviews1 follower
August 21, 2009
I love this book about the Jewish uprising that led to the story of Hanakuh
Profile Image for Virat Vibhu.
2 reviews1 follower
April 1, 2013
A beautiful story told in a simple yet riveting manner which i missed for long.....
Profile Image for Kathy.
1,097 reviews6 followers
November 7, 2021
Interesting in that it puts the feel good story of Hannukah into its historical context of a long a bloody war. Not a page turner
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews

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