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The Thirteenth Tribe | 
 enlarge | Author: Arthur Koestler
Publisher: Random House
Category: Book
List Price: $15.00
Buy New: $7.93
You Save: $7.07 (47%)
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Avg. Customer Rating:  52 reviews
Sales Rank: 21391
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 255
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 8.3 x 5.3 x 0.6
ISBN: 0394402847
Dewey Decimal Number: 947.901
EAN: 9780394402840
ASIN: 0394402847
Publication Date: July 1, 1976
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Condition: BRAND NEW ITEM. In business since 1985.
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Product Description
This book traces the history of the ancient Khazar Empire, a major but almost forgotten power in Eastern Europe, which in the Dark Ages 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.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 47 more reviews...
 An enlightening account of a forgotten people, despite its poor central thesis April 25, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
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.
 Genetic Studies Prove Koestler Correct: True Hebrews/Palestinians Are The SAME race February 16, 2008
4 out of 6 found this review helpful
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."
Interesting read from what I read January 27, 2008
4 out of 6 found this review helpful
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.
A thought provoking book October 30, 2007
25 out of 25 found this review helpful
Unlike other reviewers I found this to be a very interesting book. Despite being labeled anti-semitic by some reviewers Arthur Koestler was himself of Ashkenazi Jewish descent and proud of it. His book quotes many sources and his thesis should not be dismissed out of hand. In itself it is of historical interest to learn of the Khazar empire that ruled for several hundred years and who were a power equal to the Byzantine empire and one that stopped the Muslim onslaught against Byzantium. I can strongly encourage others to read this book and make up their own mind.
Another fascinating read regarding history which deals more with the Khazars, but also historical figures such as Sargon the Great, who established the first semitic dynasty in Mesopotamia, is a book by Laura Knight-Jadczyk called "The secret history of the world".
 outdated book October 22, 2007
4 out of 22 found this review helpful
The book is interesting, and at the time of its publishing was probably very controversial but his theory that most Ashkenazi Jews are descendents from the Khazar empire and not from the middle east has been proven false by genetic testing in the last 2 decades. (see the excellent work "Jews of Khazaria" Kevin Alan Brook, "DNA, & Tradition the genetic link to the ancient Hebrews", and hundreds of other scientific papers. This book belongs in the flat earth society library.
Don't waste your money if you are interested in scholarly learning about the Khazars.
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