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Abraham: A Journey to the Heart of Three Faiths Audiobook
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(3.01) - 1,416 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
In this timely, provocative, and uplifting journey, the bestselling author of Walking the Bible searches for the man at the heart of the world's three monotheistic religions -- and today's deadliest conflicts.
At a moment when the world is asking, “Can the religions get along?” one figure stands out as the shared ancestor of Jews, Christians, and Muslims. One man holds the key to our deepest fears -- and our possible reconciliation. Abraham.
Bruce Feiler set out on a personal quest to better understand our common patriarch. Traveling in war zones, climbing through caves and ancient shrines, and sitting down with the world's leading religious minds, Feiler uncovers fascinating, little-known details of the man who defines faith for half the world.
Both immediate and timeless, Abraham is a powerful, universal story, the first-ever interfaith portrait of the man God chose to be his partner. Thoughtful and inspiring, it offers a rare vision of hope that will redefine what we think about our neighbors, our future, and ourselves.
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"I really enjoyed this book for the way it compares the different perspectives each of the monotheistic, middle-Eastern religions when looking at Biblical stories we all know so well. Bruce Feiler has an incredible knack for putting in simple terms the roots of our divisive beliefs. But he does more than that in this book. He really shows you that at our religious cores, we are not all that far apart."
— Matt (4 out of 5 stars)
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“An exquisitely written journey…100 percent engaging.”
— Boston Globe -
“A winning mix of insight, passion, and historical research…provides a basis for fostering genuine communication.”
— Christian Science Monitor -
“Feiler’s pluralistic view of this pivotal figure is intriguing.”
— Washington Post Book World -
“Engaging, accessible.”
— Miami Herald -
“Feiler’s combination of journalism, commentary and self-discovery tells the reader volumes about humankind.”
— Atlanta Journal-Constitution -
“Fascinating…An intriguing page turner.”
— St. Petersburg Times -
“Captures the beauty and desolation of the landscape, the tension of its shared holy places.”
— Oregonian -
“More important than Feiler's masterful wordsmithing is his passionate engagement of the subject matter. Italics are everywhere, yet they don’t feel overused; Feiler has a keen sense of what is at stake when these three religions claim Abraham as their father. This is a joy to read.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review) -
“Like his hugely popular Walking the Bible, Feiler keeps our interest by mixing theological meditation with adventurous travelogue and sly wit. And this quietly brilliant examination of Abraham, which begins as part lit-crit thesis and part theological treatise, becomes, in the end, a passionate and prayerful argument for peace between faiths.”
— Booklist (starred review) -
“Anyone seeking to understand the roots of tension in the Middle East need look no further than the final half of this book, where Feiler interprets the meaning of Abraham as seen through the prism of each religion. Surprisingly, the book is as entertaining as it is thoughtful: Feiler is a masterful writer with a warm, humorous voice, a dazzling way with metaphors, and an underlying intelligence that comes through in every passage. Abraham deserves the highest of recommendations.”
— Amazon.com, editorial review -
“Looking to reconcile the three monotheistic religions, the author of the best-selling Walking the Bible goes on a journey (literally slogging through the desert) to uncover their shared progenitor.”
— Library Journal -
”A vivid and discerning tour through a land that reflects this epochal figure’s life of exile, questioning…and faith.”
— Kirkus Reviews -
“An engaging, timely book.”
— Book Magazine -
“A thoughtful combination of theology, history and travel writing.”
— Austin American-Statesman -
“Scrupulously fair in reporting the thinking of all of the traditions…Appealing.”
— Nashville Tennessean -
“A heartrending journey…Fascinating.”
— Colorado Springs Gazette
Awards
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A New York Times bestseller
Abraham Listener Reviews
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" My own understanding of Abraham is from a Christian perspective, so I sometimes found it difficult to remain objective while reading this book, but I tried to learn from it and I believe I did. I was glad to find it very easy reading as well, although occasionally the author was a bit too flippant. It was worth my time! "
— Angie, 2/14/2014 -
" informative, engaging, and a thought provoking read. definitely a great book. "
— Damon, 2/12/2014 -
" A decent book. Goes through the various traditions and ever-changing history of The Patriarch of religion's Big Three. I really like the way Feiler approaches the topic but, as in his other book I read, I feel like he alwasy stops short in his analysis and doesn't consistently pursue the subject matter to the fullest. You'll probably learn some little things, but you'll also probably be unsatisfied. "
— Aaron, 2/11/2014 -
" Interesting. A look at the life of Abraham through the eyes of a Jewish man. "
— Mimi, 1/6/2014 -
" interesting read about the common thread of Abraham in the 3 faiths of Judism, Christianity, and Islam "
— Eileen, 12/21/2013 -
" I liked it very much! Feiler has a wonderful ability to weave a narrative of the Bible that makes it easy to understand. "
— Chris, 12/21/2013 -
" I expected more out of this book than just the exterior observations in a travel log manner.. lacks the depth that these faiths and holy lands are deserving of. "
— April, 12/20/2013 -
" An interesting look at how Judaism, Islam and Christianity have taken the story of Abraham and used it to meet their needs and have made it their own. A though provoking book that causes one to question the infallibility of religion and the books they use to guide their followers. "
— William, 12/2/2013 -
" Overall a decent book. Some of the conclusions seem a bit tangential to the strands of reasoning. Much of the reasoning is tenuous at best. More of a personal reflection. Still, a worthy read. "
— Prizm, 11/25/2013 -
" I really love his other books, but this one not so much. I found it sort of boring and not very interesting. "
— marion, 11/24/2013 -
" Need more books like this, the one that can explain biblical history in popular language. Three stars because it is still a heavy reading for a layperson like myself. "
— Indra, 8/28/2013 -
" This is a wonderful book to help understand Islam and the origins of Judiasm, Christianity, and Islam. I urge everyone to read this book. "
— Barefootinthedirt, 8/3/2013 -
" Abraham the father of 3 religions - Ishmael and Isaac "
— Martin, 8/14/2012 -
" Fielder seeks the link among Christians, Muslims and Jews who claim common inheritance to ancestor Abraham. As a link among the three monotheist religions, we can see a future of common unity and potential peace. Read this with an open mind and a desire to bring our world to one. "
— Ross, 5/12/2012 -
" I didn't finish it, lightweight for my taste. "
— Sharon, 3/13/2012 -
" Learned a ton about the history of 3 religions, from a surprisingly mostly non-biased writer. "
— Carolyn, 12/13/2011 -
" Feiler undoubtedly has an agenda other than truth. This book is neither well researched, nor objective; and is full of anachronisms. "
— Justin, 6/30/2011 -
" Feiler tells us a very personal story, his own journey through three one-God faiths and those faiths' interpretation of the father of monotheism. As we take that journey with him, we can uncover moods, influences, and perspectives that can make a positive difference within us. "
— Kathy, 6/15/2011 -
" I read half of it and kept waiting for it to get started. I decided not to finish it. "
— Maggie, 3/31/2011 -
" Very interesting and educational. The type and format is very easy on the eyes. "
— Jeanne, 3/29/2011 -
" Need more books like this, the one that can explain biblical history in popular language. Three stars because it is still a heavy reading for a layperson like myself. "
— Indra, 3/21/2011 -
" This book gave me a better understanding of the significance of Abraham, as the first man to follow one God. I enjoyed reading Bruce Feiler's personal journey and interviews with scholars and religious leaders of the 3 major monotheistic faiths. "
— Jenny, 3/5/2011 -
" I read this for book club. It was interesting, but there were a few spots where I had to stop and scratch my head, thinking, "Where did he get that?" "
— Betsy, 3/4/2011 -
" A must read in light of the current political climate in the world brought on by Christianity, Islam and Judaism. "
— Revjkoth, 1/18/2011 -
" Thought provoking reading...even for non believes. Great insight into the three predominate faiths of today, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Author Bruce Feiler shows how each religion 'claimed' Abraham and then preceded to mold his story to fit their needs. "
— Jeanne, 1/14/2011 -
" Good look the the founder of the three faiths. "
— Heidi, 1/13/2011 -
" This was enlightening-- and now I want to know even more. "
— A., 11/4/2010 -
" Started, returned it -- sadly very "dry"! "
— Liz, 11/1/2010 -
" The theme or focus of this quick read is 3 distinct faiths have one father; Abraham. The story tells us how the Jewish, Muslim or Christian beginnings all started with Abraham and how we are all tied to this unassuming individual. A good summarized read of different faiths common beginning "
— Phil, 10/18/2010 -
" This was a very interesting book. Feiler investigates Abraham, the father of the three major religions, how each interptets him and use them as their model for what a faith well lived should like and how these religions deviate from each other. I am very glad I read it. "
— Dgoll, 9/12/2010 -
" A very interesting comparison and contrast study of the three major world religions. Yet another excellent book from Bruce Feiler. "
— Helen, 8/4/2010
About Bruce Feiler
Bruce Feiler is the author of six bestselling books, including Abraham, Where God Was Born, America’s Prophet, The Council of Dads, and The Secrets of Happy Families. He is a columnist for the New York Times, a popular lecturer, and a frequent commentator on radio and television.