The Jews of Khazaria

by Kevin Alan Brook

Release Date: June, 2002

Edition: Paperback

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Excellent

Brook does an excellent job in broaching this topic that many have attempted before him, and I'm sure many will attempt after. Considering how little is known about Khazaria, how much history has been either censored or re-written by the former Soviet Union, and the relatively sparse amount of archaelogical work that has been conducted in the region, Brook brings much information to light, detailing the tribal and linguistic origins of the Khazars. In comparison with Koestler's "The Thirteenth Tribe," Brook's work is more about presenting facts than coming to conclusions.

I would encourage everyone interested in this book, this subject and in modern Judaism in general to remember that 'conclusions' are based on current and past knowledge, not on future discoveries. Sarkel is still under water and will continue to be for the foreseeable future -- who knows what information it holds? People have been twisting the ideas and findings discussed in "The Thirteenth Tribe" and "The Jews of Khazaria" to promote hatred for Jews for quite some time. That's not the purpose of these works, as Arthur Koestler himself addressed at the end of "The Thirteenth Tribe."

I've also used the bibliography to further my own knowledge, although I have found that many of the sources are out-of-print.

I look forward to learning more about the Khazars, who they were and who they became -- for today, I highly recommend Brook's "The Jews of Khazaria." It is excellently written, a fascinating work and will open it's readers eyes to some lesser known history.

Savor it, but don't rush to judgement!

A superb contribution to Judaic studies and history.

The Jews of Khazaria recounts the history of the kingdom of Khazaria,
located in Eastern Europe, examining its status as a world power from
650-1016. Students of early Jewish history will appreciate this college-level survey, which considers not only the Khazaria state but the rise of Jewish communities in the eastern European region.