THE KING OF FLESH AND BLOOD

by Moshe Shamir ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 20, 1958

During the Hasmonaean period in Palestine (from the rise of the Maccabees to the Roman conquest) there was a King, Yannai, whose lust for power and world conquest led him to wage violent campaigns, culminating in the prolonged siege and ultimate sack of Gaza. After the death of his brother, he married the widow, Salome Alexandra, and became the leader. Not content with the seizure of the throne he usurped Absolom's appointment to the High Priesthood, thereby amassing the key power spots as potential instruments in his schemes. The successes on the battlefield did not satiate Yannai's aspirations and eventually the people of Judea, surfeited with war and bloodshed, revolted against their ""king of flesh and blood"" and killed him during a sacred ceremony. Yannai had reaped the fruits of his actions. The King of Flesh and Blood is a first novel of an Israeli-born writer and has been awarded the Bialik Prize in Israel. Highly detailed with an emphasis upon events rather than people, the novel will be welcomed by readers of the historical novel of cinemascopic proportions.

Pub Date: Oct. 20, 1958

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Vanguard

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 1958

Categories: FICTION