Products
Genealogy Books
Genealogy Software

Information
Payment Methods
Shipping
Safe Shopping

Genealogy Websites
US Genealogy
Surnames
Canadian Genealogy
Free Family Tree Website






Jacob's Legacy: A Genetic View of Jewish History

Jacob's Legacy: A Genetic View of Jewish History
See Larger Image
List Price: $26.00
Our Price: $17.16
Your Save: $ 8.84 ( 34% )
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: Yale University Press
Written By: David B. Goldstein
Average Customer Rating: Average rating of 4.5/5Average rating of 4.5/5Average rating of 4.5/5Average rating of 4.5/5Average rating of 4.5/5

Buy it now at Amazon.com!


Binding: Hardcover
Dewey Decimal Number: 909.04924
EAN: 9780300125832
ISBN: 0300125836
Label: Yale University Press
Manufacturer: Yale University Press
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 176
Publication Date: 2008-05-28
Publisher: Yale University Press
Studio: Yale University Press

Related Items

Editorial Reviews:

Who are the Jews? Where did they come from? What is the connection between an ancient Jewish priest in Jerusalem and today’s Israeli sunbather on the beaches of Tel Aviv? These questions stand at the heart of this engaging book. Geneticist David Goldstein analyzes modern DNA studies of Jewish populations and examines the intersections of these scientific findings with the history (both biblical and modern) and oral tradition of the Jews. With a special gift for translating complex scientific concepts into language understandable to all, Goldstein delivers an accessible, personal, and fascinating book that tells the history of a group of people through the lens of genetics.

 

In a series of detective-style stories, Goldstein explores the priestly lineage of Jewish males as manifested by Y chromosomes; the Jewish lineage claims of the Lemba, an obscure black South African tribe; the differences in maternal and paternal genetic heritage among Jewish populations; and much more. The author also grapples with the medical and ethical implications of our rapidly growing command of the human genomic landscape. The study of genetics has not only changed the study of Jewish history, Goldstein shows, it has altered notions of Jewish identity and even our understanding of what makes a people a people.




Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating: Average rating of 4/5Average rating of 4/5Average rating of 4/5Average rating of 4/5Average rating of 4/5
Summary: good technical view
Comment: This is a concise book about the current genetic data about various sub groups of Jews. It covers several of the small groups who may have identifiable DNA 'finger prints'. The concentration is on using DNA for identification and not for illnesses. This is written by a genetic analyst, who provides the background information about the limits of DNA tracking. Overall the book is interesting and useful.


Customer Rating: Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5
Summary: 3000 years in 176 pages
Comment: This book, a summary of research on genetics of Jewish people, is by a person in the best position to tell the story: a geneticist and a Jew. Goldstein's research deals with tracing heredity as far back as possible, and it is his project that is probing connections between Jews all over the world. He shows it is possible that Jews who think they are descendents of high priests from the days of the First Temple really are, and that Africans who believe they originated with the early Hebrews actually did. He also contrasts genetic descent through males and females and offers an explanation of why hereditary diseases found mostly in Jews may confer an advantage. The technical portions are easy to understand and the book is no longer than it needs to be. It's a fast, jargon-free read and is highly recommended.

Customer Rating: Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5
Summary: Untangling the past
Comment: Dr. Goldstein does an excellent job of educating the reader about genetic tracing without overwhelming us with scientific jargon. He re-examines and expands on the story about modern-day Jewish priests, traces the probable Jewish heritage of an African tribe, explains why Jewish women in certain Jewish populations have a vastly different genetic history from their men, and looks into genetic disease specific to Jews. Along the way he drops many little tidbits of knowledge that enhance the story and entrance the reader. (Hint: Commander Spock makes an appearance). I look forward to futher reports from Dr. Goldstein and his team.



Buy it now at Amazon.com!


Genealogy Books Copyright 2005-2006 Genealogy Books. All rights reserved.