From Abraham and the birth of monotheism to the Holocaust and the creation of modern Israel -- the epic sweep of the Jewish people s progress through time violates all the laws of human history. For centuries some of the greatest minds have come to appreciate the profound impact that this tiny nation has had on humanity and have tried to unlock the great mystery that the Jewish story presents, asking: How did this people survive against all the odds?In one volume, A Crash Course in Jewish History explores the 3,800 years of Jewish existence while answering the great questions: Why have the Jewish people been so unique, so impactful, yet so hated and so relentlessly persecuted?A Crash Course in Jewish History is not only comprehensive and readable; it is also entertaining and enlightening. Historian and author Ken Spiro takes the reader on a fascinating and informative journey through time, highlighting not only the key lessons of Jewish and world history, but, most importantly, on the profound relevance that the past holds for the future of both the Jewish people and humanity. Novices and scholars alike will find A Crash Course in Jewish History to be thought-provoking and insightful, as well as a valuable and relevant guide to understanding the challenges that we all face in the 21st century.