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The Source  By  cover art

The Source

By: James A. Michener
Narrated by: Larry McKeever
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Publisher's summary

In the grand storytelling style that is his signature, James Michener sweeps us back through time to the very beginnings of the Jewish faith, thousands of years ago. Through the predecessors of four modern men and women, we experience the entire colorful history of the Jews, including the life of the early Hebrews and their persecutions, the impact of Christianity, the Crusades, and the Spanish Inquisition, all the way to the founding of present-day Israel and the Middle East conflict.

©2013 James A. Michener; 2015 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Fascinating...stunning...[a] wonderful rampage through history...Biblical history, as seen through the eyes of a professor who is puzzled, appalled, delighted, enriched and impoverished by the spectacle of a land where all men are archeologists." ( The New York Times)
"A sweeping [novel] filled with excitement - pagan ritual, the clash of armies, ancient and modern: the evolving drama of man's faith." ( The Philadelphia Inquirer)
"Magnificent...a superlative piece of writing both in scope and technique...one of the great books of this generation." ( San Francisco Call Bulletin)

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What listeners say about The Source

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Over 50 hours and well worth it

Over 50 hours and well worth it
learned a lot, enjoyed the storyline very much.

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4 people found this helpful

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Finally!

I have been waiting for the Michener books to be added to Audible. I read The Source 20 years ago & forgot how detailed & relevant it still is. I concur that o wished for a different narrator - but good enough to stick with it for 50+ hours!

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A Masterpiece

This book thrilled and moved me until the end. McKeever isn't so bad at x1.35.

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2 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

good story, read too darn slow!

the story itself is excellent but the reader goes so darn slow it's impossible to keep my interest. pick up the pace, man!

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1 person found this helpful

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excellent in every way from story to narration

this is my second exposure you thos,history of religion and Jews. great read start to finish.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Gripping story, mind-blowingly terrible narrator

What didn’t you like about Larry McKeever’s performance?

Where did he learn to read? never heard real human voice? Grew up with robots in space ship or what??? it almost sounds comical, which is a huge distraction from the book. He also does not know what punctuation are. I HAVE NO COURAGE TO LISTEN TO MORE MICHENER BOOKS BECAUSE OF HIM! PLEASE, AUDIBLE, DROP HIM!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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amazing book

impressive and still very updated to current affairs in Israel. important book for anyone interested in the region

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i learned so much and enjoyed doing so even more

an enriching and rewarding book. this author is incredibly good at making history exciting and captivating. i read reviews before reading this book and was surprised by all the glowing reviews. after finishing the book i can confirm that this book is one of the best I've encountered.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Facinating! Thought provoking. Illuminating.

Terrific historical and philosophical tractat. Highly recommended for everyone who is interested in joining a reflective journey through millennia in search of the source of spiritual oneness of humanity.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Narration is terrible. He should read recipes

I read this book decades ago and had been looking forward to a refresher. The narrator's dry delivery is only slightly more animated than a text-to-speech bot. I have almost 50 hours to go, sigh.
Update, down to 33 hours left. There are glitches in the recording I've never experienced from other downloads, I think they bought the rights from Books on Tape, and just went tape to digital without listening to it.

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