The world's three major religions - Judaism, Christianity, and Islam - have many major differences that cause conflict all over the world. But the three are united in their devotion to Abraham, the folk hero of 4000 years ago who predates all the modern religions, but is claimed by each as their "father."

Feiler travels to the volatile Middle East to the land where Abraham once walked to get a better understanding of the influential figure. Along the way, he talks to followers of the three different religions in order to grasp a better understanding of Abraham, and ultimately to wonder if through their love of Abraham, can their ever be peace among dissenters?

There are some amazing revelations along the way. For one, Jews and Christians agree that Jacob was the son to be sacrificed by Abraham, while Muslims insist that it is Ishmael. Also, Abraham himself was largely forgotten after his time until a revival designed to reignite the Jewish faith after the destruction of the Second Temple.

The book confronts the animosity among the different religions, but in a gingerly way, pleading for peace and understanding. Flaws in each belief are exposed, but Muslims in particular come off partcualrily harsh when the chosen representative of Islam in an interview with the author gives a defense of suicide bombers. This is explained away as the unfortunate current representation of Islam today, saying that the hope for this religion lies in its Western believers, who live in more peaceful areas. I don't know if that's patronizing or naive. That the author, and many others, can maintain a positive hope for understanding is very heartening after being confronted with some disturbing views. ( )

an interesting book that I enjoyed reading while in Israel. Some of my favorite aspects:

*I liked the setting during the December holy days, highlighting the intersection of the three faiths in Jerusalem

*Re the Western Wall/Temple Mount/Mount of Olives - "The defining spiritual fact of Jerusalem is this: Any panorama, any camera angle, any genuflection that encompassses one of these holy places will necessarily inlude at least one of the others." To me that is the fabulous aspect of Jerusalem - this intersection, how it all weaves together.

I'm largely unfamiliar with the Old Testament so most of this was new to me. Some of it touched on things I'd recently seen - the Dead Sea Scrolls in NYC, and a drive near Qumran en route to MAsada and the Dead Sea. While I enjoyed this situational read, I don't think it was as good as some of Feiler's other works. ( )

Feiler helped me understand how Islam, Judaism, and Christianity are connected through Abraham and how each one perceives him through their anscetrial background. ( )

simplistic and easy. it is not a history. it is more a series of essays. if you don't know anything about religion, biblical history, or religious history this will be an eye opener. If you know something about religion it is boring. my book discussion group liked it and it did generate some good discussion but I found it simplistic. I am sure that the popularity of the PBS series contributed to the success and longevity of the book. However, I think that the insatiable need, by the American public, for simplistic moralistic religion is the largest reason for the success of this type of book. It is not that I didn't like the book, or find it readable, but I would not want use it as the base for my religious beliefs. ( )

Very thought provoking book. Makes a curious mind-more curious. ( )