History of the People of Israel; Volume 1

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A classic work of biblical scholarship by the French philosopher Ernest Renan, published in 1887. The book covers the history of the Jewish people from the earliest times to the fall of Jerusalem to the Romans in 70 AD, as interpreted through a critical and rationalist lens. Renan, a controversial figure in his time, emphasizes the influence of historical and geographical factors on the development of Jewish culture and religion, while also acknowledging the enduring spiritual and ethical contributions of Judaism to Western civilization.