Moses in America 2010-06-20

Reviewer: M. A. Ramos

Mr. Feiler develops a Mosaic narrative for America and starts with what he claims is the First Thanksgiving in North America instead of New England. Research has revealed that St. Augustine, the nation's oldest city, was the site of the nation's first Thanksgiving. Be that as it may the author continues his travels to historic sites weaving the importance to the founding and continued transformation of the U.S.A. was influenced by the story of Moses.

As the author tours historic sites he finds relevant ties to support his theory of Moses and how this prophet works into the very fabric of America, our country's history and it's future. As referenced above Mr. Feiler jumps to the Puritans to start his memoir of his travels with Thanksgiving and the Passover and brings us through important turning points in history to the present day.

The writing though a bit verbose is interesting and recounts history from those who live in the area the events took place and the historical records and later in the book the author is able to interview some who were actually in some way involved with the events in history he speaks of like the civil Rights Movements of the 1960's. And he follows a few steps of the underground railroad but gets the reason for the Civil War and the Emancipation Proclamation wrong but with good intention and probably what he was taught. The Proclamation was a necessary measure designed to deprive the Confederacy of slave labor, bring additional men into the Union Army and mainly to stop England from supporting the Confederacy.

The Emancipation Proclamation actually did not free any slaves for the Southern States did not recognize the authority of President Lincoln to govern their affairs and in the North, it was beyond the powers of the President to actually abolish slavery in any state. But it does help in Mr. Feiler's narrative as President Lincoln as the Moses of the time and takes us another step away from history.

But the author's narrative of the underground railroad is very interesting as is the symbolism he shows attached to the Liberty Bell and the Statue of Liberty and how the American People made these symbols of Liberty that are still strong to this day the world over. The famous and brave people the author picks out to tie their story into his theory are important and interesting. Some include Thomas Paine, George Washington, Harriet Tubman, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Abraham Lincoln, C.B DeMille, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, Ronald Reagan,George W. Bush and others. The analogy of Moses even made it's way into comics such as Superman.

Of course the author relates his own families Passover celebration with us and how he will share the Exodus story with is children when they ask. His answer is a good one and so is the summation of his book. America is the promise land for many but more important is the legacy of hope for a better tomorrow. It is the author belief and hope that Moses will continue to inspire new generations to renew the story of freedom.

Interesting look at Moses and his connection with American History 2010-06-08

Reviewer: Donald Allen

An interesting look at American history and the prophet Moses. Mr. Feiler (pronounced feeler) takes a close look at American history and the people and monuments that have been likened to the prophet Moses. It surprised me to see exactly how much Moses had been connected with the history and events that have shaped America to date. To find out that even our comic books have been drawn from the Exodus, Moses and God's chosen people was eye opening. Mr. Feiler begins in Jamestown and continues through the civil rights movement with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Mr. Feiler's commentary on the events and writings is colored from a progressive political viewpoint which he tried, and did for the most part keep to a minimum. The only problem I see with Mr. Feiler is the same I have with most of God's chosen people. He does not look at the Scriptures as being Divinely inspired and has the opinion that most are stories and are not completely true, that Scribes throughout time have rewritten history to make Moses and the other prophets look better than they truly were, which I find is sad. Overall the book is good read and is rich with America's history.

Feiler is the best 2010-06-01

Reviewer: Matterhorn Magic

That was the second of three books I have read. Currently, I am reading "Where God Was Born", and expect to read "Abraham" when it arrives. Feiler is the eyes and ears of those who wish to explore their faith even deeper.

For those of you who prefer a history lesson that were never taught in a classroom, this books takes you deep into Feiler's research.

What they didn't teach us in school 2010-05-30

Reviewer: Tom Bruce

I'm sitting in a bar and one of the four TVs on the wall in front of me is showing the Glen Beck program. There's no sound, but enough character generation for me to discern the topic of the show is three books: "The Survivors Club; The Secrets and Science that Could Save Your Life" by Ben Sherwood, "The Age of the Unthinkable; Why the New World Disorder Constantly Surprises Us and What We Can Do About It" by Joshua Cooper Ramo, and this book. Beck is claiming that many are referring to these tomes as a trilogy. After reading all three, I fail to make the connection, but I suppose a trilogy could even be comprised of "Moby Dick," "Huckleberry Finn," and "Peyton Place." Although I enjoyed reading all three books discussed by Beck and the authors, "America's Prophet" was probably my least favorite. If you know the story of Moses in any detail, a good deal of the book will just rehash what you already know. Also, if you are a student of current events, the last few chapters will seem endless. However, there are sections of this book I found riveting, mostly those pages dealing with the founding of our nation and the recurring influence of this Biblical giant. You will learn things here you never learned in school. And you will unlearn things you learned in school, such as what really is the story behind Philadelphia's Liberty Bell, that the Statue of Liberty and Superman are both created from the image of Moses, and his influence on Lincoln and the Underground Railroad, Presidents Washington, Reagan, and Obama are strong. Has Moses lost his place in American history because of separation of Church and State? One might think so, especially after reading this book and learning how much of a factor Moses played in America's development.

Moses as an Ur-American! 2010-05-26

Reviewer: Theseus

Since the U.S. can be most elementally understood as being as the place people come to from somewhere else, it is fitting that Americans have historically looked to the mythology of Moses and the exodus for inspiration.

Feiler's examination of this phenomenon is both trenchant and reassuring. His style is open and affable. This is social history for the masses, not necessarily easy history, but certainly easy to read.

As one might expect, Feiler calls upon the Pilgrims and a rich history of American sermons evoking Moses. However, he is most moving when he discusses how the flight from Egypt resonated within the African-American experience and even manages to tie his master thesis into the Liberty Bell and the Statue of Liberty.