The Source by James A. Michener

Dave’s staff pick:
The Source is a historical novel by James A. Michener, first published in 1965. It is a survey of the history of the Jewish people and the land of Israel from pre-monotheistic days to the birth of the modern State of Israel. The Source uses for its central metaphor a fictional tell in northern Israel called “Makor,” literally, “the source.”

A parallel frame story set in modern-day Israel supports the historical timeline. Archaeologists digging at the tell in Makor uncover artifacts from each layer, which then serve as the basis for a chapter exploring the lives of the people involved with that artifact.
The novel begins with a Stone Age family whose daughter begins to realize that there is a supernatural source, then leads us to the beginnings of monotheism, the Davidic kingdom, Hellenistic times, Roman times, etc. It follows the story of the Family of Ur from the age of cave men to modern times, with its descendants now living in Gaililee. Some consider The Source Michener’s most popular book.