The Story of the Jews - Finding the Words - 1000 BC - 1492 AD (Simon Schama, 2013)

I need to know more on this topic, but was a bit reluctant to pick up this book as it is linked to a PBS TV series.  But not to worry - very readable, full of useful information, changed my understanding on a number of topics.  So I hope the author is credible.

Worth paging through multiple times.  A key takeaway - like other religions, this one is continually writing and rewriting its own history based on needs or objectives of leaders in various situations and geographies.  Meaning:  don't assume anyone's pronouncements are dispositive.

Author goes through biblical times, then into New Testament; the strange, and sad, manner in which persecutions flowered.

1492 is a logical breaking point given events in Spain, I will look forward to the next volume.