Kings of the Jews

"A total of 52 men and two women served as monarchs between the years 1020 B.C.E. and 70 C.E. Their stories are told in this well-researched account by historian Gelb. . . . This useful narrative recalls the contributions of Israel's many kings and brings them back to life."—Publishers Weekly

"He set out to offer contemporary readers an instructive and readable account of what happened to the Jews during the 1,000 years before the Common Era and the first 70 years of the Common Era. He has fully succeeded in meeting this laudable objective."—National Jewish Post and Opinion

"This riveting exploration is a testament to the remarkable resilience of the Jewish people as they survived and thrived despite divisions, discord, and conquest, forging a vibrant identity that continues to endure."—Lookstein Center

"Gelb offers his readers a clear sufficiently detailed narration of the history of the ancient monarchs for people who want a general understanding of the history of Judaism and its national leaders."—Jewish Eye

"Norman Gelb paints a vivid picture of Jewish life during the time of each monarch’s reign . . . This riveting exploration is a testament to the remarkable resilience of the Jewish people as they survived and thrived despite divisions, discord, and conquest."—International Journal of Jewish Education Research

"An accomplished writer, journalist, and historian, Norman Gelb has written a fair-minded history of the kings of the Jews of ancient times . . . I cannot praise this book too highly."—Walter Abish, MacArthur fellow and recipient of the PEN/Faulkner Award