Product Description
Traces the history of the ancient Khazar Empire, a major but almost forgotten power in Eastern Europe, which in the Dark ages became converted to Judaism. Khazaria was finally wiped out by the forces of Ghengis Khan, but evidence indicates that the Khazars, themselves migrated to Poland and formed the cradle of Western Jewry.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 3.5 based on 54 reviews)

Kind of ruins that whole "anti-Semitism" thing

When this book came out it caused a big controversy although I'm not quite sure how anybody could rationally critique what Koestler put forth here. I don't think any sane human being that knows how to read could say that the good bulk of the European/Eastern European Jews are descended from the biblical Israelites. Koestler documents how these European Jews came out the Khazar tribe of southeast Russia/Khazakistan who even back then were a mixed race people mainly of Turko-Armenian type racial stock with some Asian, that later mixed with other various peoples. It really strikes me as odd when Jews like to refer to themselves as a race, which is a card they like to play when its to thier advantage, when there are Jews from literally every race on the planet. I mean you have the stereotypical Ashkenazi type Jew, the middle eastern/Sephardic type of Semitic Jew, but you also have Asian Jews, the African Jews who are an Ethiopian/Somolian racial type, many of the Jews with ancestry that came out of of Germany are indistingguishable from blonde haired blue eyed nothern Europeans (the Jewess actress Alicia Silverstone or the actor Kirk Douglas are good examples), there was even some South American Indian tribe that called themselves Jews that were allowed to immigrate to Israel a few ago. So my point being, to call the Jews a race, or to say that there is any chance that any but a tiny percentage of them have even the slighest chance that they have some lineage with the Jews of the old Testament is ludicrous. If they want to call themselves the chosen of the Yahweh demon thats their own business I suppose but when fables and historical falsehoods are used as justifications for global political maneuverings that more often than not have seriously negative ramifications for the majority of the people on this planet then I begin to have a problem with it.

Koestler also documents the whole process of conversion of the Khazars to Judaism, which from my research seems mainly to have been a political/economic move because of the Khazars land being right in the middle of a major trade route between the middle east and Europe. Because there was often crusades and warfare between the Muslims in the middle east and the Christians to the north the Khazars chose a religion that would allow them to play both sides of the card and not have to choose sides when problems arose. You also get a lot of interesting general history of the area that the Khazars came out of using various sources, in particular Ibn Fadlan who is best known for his writings on the Viking Rus that were in that area during the time he was. Overall this is one of the better books you can read if you are studying Ashkenazi Jews.
October 03, 2008

Koestler to the rescue

Koestler, and other Khazars, who have the courage to come forward and expose the fraud perpetuated by our corrupt education system, main stream media and bogus religious institutions, deserve a special place in whatever the here after has to offer.
July 30, 2008

An enlightening account of a forgotten people, despite its poor central thesis

Arthur Koestler has been subject to much vilification since the publication of `The Thirteenth Tribe', which sets forward the thesis that the majority of Jews today are not of Semitic origin, but should be traced back to the forgotten Khazar Empire. I think that much of this is justified regarding Koestler's racial conclusions, but not on the bulk of his chronology of the Khzaria.

The central argument of `The Thirteenth Tribe' is that the bulk of modern Jewry can be traced back to the seemingly unheard of Khazar Empire, which flourished during the 8th century, before gradually disintegrating in the 10th century. Koestler details the rise of this nomadic nation, and the eventual difficulties produced from being settled between the Christian Byzantine Empire on the West, and the Islamic powers to the East. Refusing to be dominated by either the Roman Emperor or the Caliph of Baghdad, as well as motivations by an onslaught of Jewish refugees, Koestler details the unusual decision taken by the Kazhar nobility to convert to Judaism. The eventual defeat of this power is chronicled, as is the dispersal of the Khazar Jews throughout the world.

The rise of the Khazars is certainly well documented, as is the conversion of the upper-classes to Judaism. Less documented by Koestler is the evidence for the lower classes following this example, or the substance supporting the conversion of the nobility having any real significance on the genetics of Ashkenazi Jews. Considering Jewish Koestler was an atheist, and taking note of his stated desire to seperate modern Jewry from both the 'Chosen People' and 'Christ-Killer' label, it seems apparent that he was less than objective in formulating his theory; something that is seen clearly in the chapters attempting to describe the racial attributes of Jews.

However, `The Thirteenth Tribe' is certainly a provoking read, which should interest anyone curious in Early Middle Age political manouving.

April 25, 2008

Genetic Studies Prove Koestler Correct: True Hebrews/Palestinians Are The SAME race

Recent genetic studies have shown Koestler was correct. Genetic studies are continuing to prove conclusively that the Ashkenazi (common European/Western Jew) have no genetic connection with the semitic peoples of the middle east. In fact, the middle eastern Hebrews and the Palestinians are the SAME genetic race -- which is NOT related to the Ashkenazi Jews, who never occupied the middle east. Genetic studies also are proving that Ashkenazi Jews (Khazars) are not a semitic race.

Journal axes gene research on Jews and Palestinians
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2001/nov/25/medicalscience.genetics
Excerpts:
"In common with earlier studies, the team found no data to support the
idea that Jewish people were genetically distinct from other people in
the region.(middle east) In doing so, the team's research challenges claims that Jews are a special, chosen people and that Judaism can only be
inherited."

"Jews and Palestinians in the Middle East share a very similar gene
pool and must be considered closely related and not genetically
separate, the authors state. Rivalry between the two races is
therefore based 'in cultural and religious, but not in genetic
differences', they conclude."

February 16, 2008

Interesting read from what I read

Well first off I have to admit I didn't finish this book. I could only bore myself through the first 100 or so pages until my brain couldn't bare it any longer. Honestly, this book could bore the deceased. Koestler is NOT a good story teller, which is unfortunate since this saga is worth researching.

The premise of the book (besides giving those of us who are alive an excuse to read this book as opposed to acquiring prescription sleep medication) is that the modern day Jews are in fact NOT Jews. They are (according to the author) from the khazarian empire (did I spell that right). Through the first 100 or so pages I did glean a little bit of knowledge. First, these Khazar's basicly stood in between the Muslim's of the Middle East and the Christians of Europe. This helped to set up a (for lack of a better term) wall between the christians of Europe and the Muslim's of the middle east (and if you think about it they probably stopped a muslim invasion throughout much of the world for awhile). This book describes how these people adopted Jewish doctrine, and their eventual fall to Genghis Khan. This is really interesting history, and a book I will eventually finish (I'll update this review later if I do). However, as I said before, Koestler in my opinion is a horrible story teller. That being said this history of modern day Judaism may very well lay within these pages. According to Arthur Koestler those that practice modern day Judaism arn't Jews at all. The information is worth your time if you don't fall asleep first. Ok, did I write in a totally non-interesting writing syle that makes you say, "What?" Yes? Well that's why I didn't finish the book. Torture pure torture!!!

P.S. If you can finish this book more power to you. If you can pull it off I believe it would be worth it.
January 27, 2008

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