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The Josephus Trilogy #1

Иудейская война

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Жемчужина мирового исторического романа.
Увлекательная и удивительно точная хроника одного из самых сложных и неоднозначных периодов истории Римской империи - изначально обреченной на поражение отчаянной борьбы за независимость народов Иудеи, - войны, в которой мужеству повстанцев противостояла вся сила римского оружия…

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1932

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About the author

Lion Feuchtwanger

147 books264 followers
Lion Feuchtwanger was a German Jewish emigre. A renowned novelist and playwright who fled Europe during World War II and lived in Los Angeles from 1941 until his death.

A fierce critic of the Nazi regime years before it assumed power precipitated his departure, after a brief internment in France, from Europe. He and his wife Marta obtained asylum in the United States in 1941 and remained there in exile until they died.

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5 stars
232 (56%)
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125 (30%)
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47 (11%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
Profile Image for Erik Graff.
5,167 reviews1,453 followers
June 1, 2014
What a nice surprise it was to find Feuchtwanger's Josephus trilogy, all three volumes of it, in used bookstores in Manhattan! I had no idea who the author was but a great interest in reading about his subject.

In history, and most of what we have is from our subject, Josephus was a participant in the first Roman war, the Jewish revolt in Palestine during the seventies of this era. His own role was as a military leader in Galilee. There, surrounded and hidden in a cave, the survivors under his command made a suicide pact. Being chosen to kill the penultimate soldier, then himself, Josephus broke his promise and went over to the Romans under Vespasion.

The novel is the story of how Josephus went over and the trilogy as a whole hypothetically reconstructs how it was that he not only survived but lived to become the author of several books about his people under the Flavians in Rome.

Feuchtwanger attempts to give a sympathetic portrayal of the traitor. He did well enough to get me through the series, not well enough to overcome my antipathy for the man.

Despite any moral revulsion, we are fortunate that Josephus did live for he is a primary source for historical information about the time of Jesus and the Jesus movement as well as for the events of the first Roman war and the politics of the Jewish community behind that provincial uprising.
Profile Image for Lemar.
724 reviews74 followers
July 21, 2013
Josephus is a compelling portrait of a very complex and serious man. Joseph Ben-Matthias lived at a time of historic change. As the power of Rome was fading from the republic of Cicero's time into an era of dictatorial emperors Josephus went from Judea to Rome where more than 100,000 Jews lived in a profitable but often uneasy relationship with Romans. The Temple of the Jews in Jerusalem had never been in greater peril of destruction by the Romans at the same time that the people of Jerusalem were falling into civil war.
Feuchtwanger renders a Josephus that is driven by deep piety and an often equally deep personal ambition. F's grasp of history is so complete that we are secure in authenticity of the world the historical characters inhabit and it is a fascinating world. The novel is divided into chapters reflecting where Josephus' energies were spent: Rome, Caesarea, Galilee, and Jerusalem.
Today's middle east conflicts are better understood from reading Josephus because, when one is dealing with societies driven by religion, logic is relegated to the fringes of those societies. It is here that F is at his best in that Josephus is shown to be both religious zealot and a practical leader willing to endure hatred and ridicule in an effort to ensure the survival of his people. One is rarely of one mind all the time, such is the case with Josephus.
As he travels his road from being Joseph Ben- Matthias to becoming Flavius Josephus, he struggles with defining himself but never breaks his essential character. Josephus is a tremendous achievement in historical fiction and ranks at the top of the genre.
Profile Image for Libros Prestados.
472 reviews1,045 followers
September 1, 2015
Siempre me sorprende cuando un libro que habla de hechos del pasado se muestra como una obra de plena actualidad. No debería sorprenderme, puesto que la historia se repite y debería estar acostumbrada, pero lo hace. Lo más curioso de este libro es que está escrito durante el nazismo, por un judío alemán que pretendía remarcar el antisemitismo de su tiempo hablando de una historia pasada como es el levantamiento judío del año 66 d.C. y la consiguiente guerra y caída de Jerusalén y el templo.

Pero no es solo el antisemitismo lo que lo hace una obra actual (esto, desgraciadamente, lo haría actual en cualquier época) sino esa contraposición de Oriente y Occidente: el misterioso y monoteísta Oriente y el cosmopolita Occidente, el antiguo Oriente y el moderno Occidente, el espiritual Oriente y el materialista Occidente, el irracional Oriente y el racional Occidente... Todos esos clichés que siguen utilizándose actualmente y que tiñen cualquier relación entre las civilizaciones de ambos "lugares" (porque al final esa dicotomía Oriente/Occidente y la línea que se traza en el mapa para separarlos es una ficción en sí misma). Resulta sumamente curioso que en el siglo I existieran guerras en Oriente próximo incitadas por una mezcla de religión y nacionalismo, con su punto de reivindicación social. Es aterrador y fascinante al mismo tiempo.

En cuanto a la historia de la novela, nos habla de Joseph Ben Matatías, sacerdote de primer orden, que viaja a Roma para interceder en la liberación de tres compatriotas judíos encarcelados por sedición y cómo a partir de ese viaje Joseph se verá envuelto en la espiral histórica que terminaría con la destrucción del templo de Jerusalén, del que sería testigo y del cual escribiría en el libro "La guerra de los judíos", ya con el nombre romano por el que sería recordado en la Historia: Flavio Josefo.

Me ha gustado mucho el libro. Es ágil, está bien escrito, los acontecimientos históricos están bien narrados de tal manera que aunque pasan muchas cosas y hay bastantes personajes puedes seguir el hilo de la acción sin problemas, describe la religión y costumbres judías de la época de forma muy pedagógica (supongo que sospecharía que la mayor parte de los lectores serían legos en esta materia) y consigue trasladar el drama que fue la destrucción del templo para el pueblo judío, cómo de demoledora fue esa guerra para ellos. Como libro histórico debo decir que está muy bien.

El "pero" que le puedo poner al libro es que Joseph no me cae bien, pero eso no es culpa del escritor. Joseph es una de esas personas muy pasionales, que actúa antes de pensar, y cuando ocurre lo que toda persona racional sabía que iba a ocurrir, se lamenta y cree que es una prueba divina. No, Joseph, no, es que eres tonto. El libro intenta incidir con los personajes en que lo que ocurrió no se pudo evitar, que los personajes actuarón así movidos por impulsos más allá de su control. Como cuando en la obra de Shakespeare Romeo grita "soy juguete del Destino". Lo que ocurre siempre con este planteamiento es que si esas personas se hubieran parado a pensar un poquito en lo que estaban haciendo, nada (o casi nada) de eso hubiera ocurrido. No es el destino, son sus decisiones. Que tomaron esas decisiones empujados por sus creencias y educación y ámbito sociocultural, vale, pero siguen siendo sus decisiones. Por supuesto, esto lo digo con la seguridad que proporciona el saber lo que ocurrió. Nadie en ese momento histórico podía realmente aseverar lo que pasaría al final, aunque algunos lo sospecharan, razón por la que Feuchtwanger convierte a Justo de Tiberíades en némesis de Joseph, echándole siempre en cara su cabezonería, su cerrazón, su hipocresía e insensatez.

Este libro es un buena novela de género histórico y es muy recomendable para todos aquellos que tengan curiosidad por este periodo. Aunque hay que tener en cuenta que es la primera parte de una trilogía (que yo voy a leer entera).
446 reviews198 followers
September 9, 2023
Many years ago I bought a copy of the Complete Josephus Flavius, intending to get the official historic story. It still stands on my shelf unread.

This is, without a doubt, the next best thing. Not as dry as a history book, but nowhere near a decent novel, this account rings true and was a solid read.

I didn't think the author was a great writer. I think he shouldn't be allowed to write women at all, but to be fair, his men aren't any more comprehensible. We never really get any understanding of Josephus as a person. Is he a lunatic? An opportunist? A sociopath? Just weak in character? I never, at any point, understood a single reason why he did anything he did. To be fair, one shouldn't try to impose modern motivations to ancient people. If the author stuck with describing Josephus's actions only, I wouldn't complain. But he does get into his head. It's just never edifying.

Anyway, I'm glad I read it and I'm glad it's over. Unsure if I want to read the next installment in the series or if I want to finally take that tome off my shelf and read the original.
Profile Image for Julia.
61 reviews4 followers
August 14, 2012
Wow! Amazing! It is a shame that Feuchtwanger's novels are mostly out of print. The historical detail is fascinating and the writing that reveals those details is gripping and thrilling.

This is an account of the fall of Jerusalem through the eyes of the Jewish historian Joseph Ben Matthias, or Titus Flavius Josephus, as he later becomes know by his Roman name. Faith, pride, love, lust, violence, betrayal, despair are some of the themes that run through the novel and as you read emotions run high and after you have turned the last few pages and closed the book you feel drained and exhausted.
35 reviews
June 16, 2020
The author has turned what could have been a very dry subject into a realistic and colorful reading experience. I am now going to search out the other 2 volumes of the trilogy.
Profile Image for Peter.
599 reviews25 followers
March 26, 2024
In diesem ersten Teil der Josephus Trilogie wird das Leben des Flavius Josephus - des Chronisten der Geschichte des Judäischen Krieges erzählt. Ein interessantes Zeitporträt und sehr kurzweilig zu lesen. Jedoch benötigte ich Gewöhnungszeit an Feuchtwangers Schreibstil. In manchen Teilen hat sich das Buch wie eine Übersetzung aus einer anderen Sprache gelesen. Mitunter holprig und sogar ein wenig abgehackt ist mir das vorgekommen. Trotz allem, nach dem Original: Flavius Josephus „Geschichte des Judäischen Krieges“ eine interessante Ergänzung zur Geschichte Roms und vor allem Jerusalems.
Profile Image for Anatoly Bezrukov.
373 reviews32 followers
January 20, 2025
Прекрасный исторический роман, каким он должен быть. Художественное осмысление судеб реальных людей, их поведения и морального выбора в пограничных ситуациях. При этом достоверность уходит на второй план: не столь важно, что говорил, писал или делал реальный Веспасиан или Юст Тивериадский, ведь это не хроника, а универсальное, по сути, высказывание.
Единственная причина, по которой не ставлю 5 звезд, это перевод. Этот роман заслуживает нового и лучшего перевода, не подверженного большевистской цензуре (перевод Станевич, насколько могу судить, сделан в 1937 году).
Profile Image for Trounin.
1,897 reviews46 followers
March 17, 2016
Большой город у Фейхтвангера напоминает деревню. Всё доступно и с каждым можно найти общий язык. Иосифу Флавию потворствуют влиятельные сенаторы и именитые актёры. Все готовы придти ему на помощь, оказывая услуги едва ли не просто так, не требуя ничего за это. Поэтому не вызывает удивления ситуация, когда сам император нисходит до мольб Иосифа, предлагая Иудее всего лишь отказаться от важного для неё города Кесарии, попутно устроив представление в театре, где иудеев будут унижать. Так и продвигается вперёд сюжет, согласно построению идеальной истории о человеке, в чьих силах совершать невозможное.

(c) Trounin
Profile Image for Alexander Ledovskiy.
22 reviews2 followers
June 5, 2011
Это - книга о тонкой психологии личности.
Это - книга о реальном человеке, римском писателе, труды которого сохранились до наших дней.
Это - 1-я книга из трилогии Фейхтвангера об Иосифе Флавии (Иудейская война, Сыновья, Настанет день). Эти книги являются одними из самых любимых мной на данных момент.

Profile Image for Yacoob.
352 reviews8 followers
May 18, 2016
Je to o hezkých pár levelů výš než Sienkiewicz a to ve všech ohledech. Příběhu, odstupu od vlastního náboženství, pochopení Říma jako způsobu myšlení i jednání. Baví mě hlavní postava, u které se furt nemůžu rozhodnout, co si o ní myslet, protože děj jí zrovna ve chvíli, kdy ji chci definitivně zavrhnout, zase vrátí kousek od propasti zatracení. A to mi vyhovuje.
Profile Image for Vlad K.
66 reviews4 followers
July 6, 2014
Must read book if you are Jew
Profile Image for B. Michael Antler.
Author 1 book40 followers
April 21, 2023
Lion Feutchwanger is a star, no doubt. The man escaped Hitler and was numero uno on the literary kill list.

Sadly, I must report his novel fails. There are several parts that are good. The beginning, parts of the ending, but on the whole Lion does not show us, he tells us. Thus, his novel is doomed to fail.

There is still great work in this book. It just felt like Lion was on a deadline and didn't give attention to character development in the beginning of a 3 novel trilogy.

Worth a read for highly intellectual peeps but not a good book. Sorry Lion.
Profile Image for Ondřej Šefčík.
238 reviews7 followers
May 4, 2020
Napsat román na základě životopisu skutečné osoby je vždy ošidné, on život, svině jedna, nerespektuje pravidla výstavby románu. Feuchtwangerovi se to povedlo, jeho žid Josef je psychologicky uvěřitelná postava, znalost prostředí Feuchtwanger má (ač schválně aktualizuje anachronismy typu "generál", "dělostřelectvo" i jinak), ten román jsem četl nyní po třetí (za třicet let) a uspokojuje mne snad stále více.
Profile Image for James Spencer.
323 reviews11 followers
August 30, 2020
Not really what I was expecting at all, but as a fan of historical fiction, one of the best. The characters, particularly Josep, are very real personalities with flaws and nobility. I know very little about this time period or about the real history of Judea and Galilee so I can't speak to the accuracy of Feughtwanger's version of events but he has left us an important work on nationalism and religion.
Profile Image for Heli.
129 reviews9 followers
December 17, 2020
Lugesin selle eestikeelset versiooni, mis on tõlgitud kui "juudi sõda". Suht suvaline raamat, mille leidsin vanaisa vanade raamatute seast. Sisu oli selles mõttes huvitav, et põhineb päris ajaloolistel sündmustel, kuid häda ilmneb stiilis. Kirjutatud oleks nagu lihtsalt, et mis juhtus nüüd ja mis juhtus pärast seda, ja siis, ja siis... Emotsioone ja situatsiooni kirjeldust oli vähe kui üldse ja see tekitas sellise hakitud tunde.
Profile Image for Riccardo Pro.
Author 3 books4 followers
August 6, 2024
Ricostruzione storica gustosa, personaggi plasticamente mossi da passioni e impulsi sempre ai limiti del controllo, come forse doveva essere nel corso della parabola allora irresistibile dell'impero Romano. Toni epici ma non melodrammatici, un romanzo che sembra un'antologia di pervicaci critiche all'arroganza degli esseri umani che, in molti casi, non appartiene solo ai vincitori.
Profile Image for Olga.
21 reviews1 follower
September 17, 2025
To say I was deeply moved by this book is to say nothing at all. I can never stop being amazed by how cyclical history is and this work echoes what is unfolding in front of us in the year 2025 so much, that it sends a chill down my spine. An absolute must read for any history lover and especially a jew.
41 reviews
June 16, 2017
Nagyon átgondolt könyv. Valós alapokkal. A szereplők mind valósak, még a történelmi szál is, persze kiszínesítve és úgy ahogy az író gondolta.
Nagyon olvasmányos: egy zsidó íróról szól, Josef-ről, aki az akkor társadalmi és politikai eseményeinek minden eseményének részese lesz.
5 reviews
August 6, 2022
Not quite 5 stars. An intelligent and vivid recounting of a key event in Jewish history, the burning of the second temple, organized around the story of its most famous chronicler. Not plot driven or exciting but insightful and convincing.
Profile Image for Daniel.
106 reviews9 followers
December 26, 2022
As entertainment, it feels dated. Not difficult to read, just not very moving. You’d likely be better off reading Josephus’ actual book, The Jewish War, on which much of this novel is based and from which some scenes are paraphrased.
6 reviews
January 24, 2021
Highly recommend

Brilliantly written - amazing, smart and enjoyable, though quite hard read. I fully recommend anybody that is interested in the period to read that book.
Profile Image for Cristian David.
2 reviews
January 5, 2022
Me encanta la trilogía, el ambiente y el personaje. Es verdad que hay partes en las que se vuelve muy lento, pero me enganchó mucho y lo disfruté un montón
Profile Image for Anika.
70 reviews1 follower
December 5, 2022
Das Buch hat leider nicht viel für mich gemacht. Werde die anderen zwei nicht lesen.
Profile Image for Svetlana.
185 reviews1 follower
May 7, 2017
Это первый из романов об историке Иосифе Флавии – молодом тщеславном еврее, священнике первой череды, который поднимался вверх по общественной лестнице «сомнительными» путями, типа договаривался за спиной правительства иудеи с бунтовщиками, и т.д. и т.п., про то, как он стал изгнанником у евреев за то, что продался римской власти – хотя хотел лишь спасти себя от смерти.

Почему историк – потому что он писал книги об иудее и о римлянах, почему известен – потому что называл себя пророком, и помог взойти на престол новому римскому императору Веспасиану.

В принципе, читать интересно, исторически поучительно и познавательно. Общее впечатление положительное, но не более того.

Да, что мне очень запомнилось, это заповеди:
«- Есть шестьсот тринадцать заповедей, которые мы, иудеи, обязаны выполнять. Нееврей обязан выполнять только семь. Если он их выполняет, то святой дух нисходит и на него.
- Какие же это семь заповедей?
- Одна повелевающая и шесть - запрещающих. Человек должен творить справедливость, не отрицать бога, не поклоняться идолам, не убивать, не красть, не распутничать и не мучить животных».

Вот так – живи по заповедям и будет все у вас хорошо :) И сможете рассчитывать на иудейский рай для женщины – быть скамеечкой для ног мужа :)
Profile Image for Vespasian.
2 reviews
September 13, 2011
Vintage Lion. This book chronicles the trials and triumphs of Flavius Josephus, my protégé. All things considered, it is pretty accurate, and there are some great romances.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews

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