The Gifts of the Jews, by Thomas Cahill, is only 275 pages but the author tells the engrossing story of how a tribe of desert nomads changed the cultural course of history for the western world. Cahill explains how Judaism established the belief that life is linear rather than cyclical, promoted the significance of the individual, the family and the tribe, and developed a moral code of compassion, love, justice and conscience, the seven-day week, and a philosophy of progress. In a concluding comment the author says, "There is no way that it could have been 'self evident that all men are created equal' without the intervention of the Jews." (page 249) The Gifts of the Jews is a fast read that rewards you with a deep appreciation of our treasured human values.

Another new publication that deserves your time is Consilience by Edward O. Wilson. The noted Harvard biologist argues for the fundamental unity of all knowledge and shows why the goals of the Age of Enlightenment are surging back to life. Says Wilson; "The originators (of the Enlightenment) clashed over fundamental issues. (But) they shared a passion to demystify the world and free the mind from the impersonal forces that imprison it." (page 21) Consilience is not a fast read but it is rewarding.

--Flo Wineriter