The distinguished historian of the Jewish people, Howard M. Sachar, gives us a comprehensive and enthralling chronicle of the achievements and traumas of the Jews over the last four hundred years. Tracking their fate from western Europe's age of mercantilism in the 17th century to the post-soviet and post-imperialistic Islamic upheavals of the 21st century, Sachar applies his incredible narrative skills to the central role Jews played in the most impressive achievements of modern civilization. A fascinating and informative look at this undervalued and underestimated community. Included are considerations of Jews of Sephardic provenance, Jews of the Moslem regions, Jews of Africa, Jews' exposure to and usefulness to fascism, the Nazi movement, and Stalin / communism. This book is an unsurpassed source of intellectual riches for college students, home school students, or anyone with a thirst for knowledge of the history of the Jewish people.