Samson's Lion: A Novel for the Millennium
Written: Apr 01 '01 (Updated Feb 12 '03)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: The first half reads like Tom Clancy
Cons: The last half reads like Hal Lindsey
The Bottom Line: Although I don't think the last part of the book holds up, the first part is very enjoyable and worth reading.
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| naphtalia's Full Review: Samson's Lion Books |
I received this book as a gift from the mother of one of my former Torah/Hebrew teachers. She had discovered the book because my teacher and the author, Alex Wolf, had attended the rabbinical seminary together.
In January 1968, the Israeli navy lost a submarine named "Davar." The submarine was lost shortly after setting out on its first voyage. It disappeared without a trace somewhere in the Mediterranean Sea. This is where the story of Samson's Lion begins. The submarine, it turns out, was not lost. It was scrapped by the Mossad, the Israeli secret service. The crew have been dispersed to various countries to be available if needed to fight for Israel and to provide intelligence.
As the book begins, Iran launches missiles filled with poison gas against Israel.After this, the Aswan Dam collapses after unusual seismic activity. In Isfahan, Iran, the Jewish community declares a day of fasting and prayer and secludes itself in the synagogue. Outside, an anti-Jewish mob pounds at the door. As the prayer continues, the crowd outside quiets. When the doors are opened, the mob is dead. In a terrorist camp near Herat, Afghanistan, men are being bitten by a fly that previously has only been known in Maine. At this point, the President of the United States calls the Prime Minister of Israel and tells him to make things stop.
The first half of this book reads like a spy novel as it tells the story of three of the Davar's crew who abandon their lives in Israel to defend their country. Each assumes a new identity in a different country. Alon Barnash becomes Abdallah Ibn Gash, a faithful Moslem. He sets up in Aswan, Egypt where he eventually begins working on the dam. Eli Kedem becomes Farshid Levihayim and purchases a home in Isfahan, Iran which has a dwindling Jewish community. He retains his Jewishness, and eventually becomes a leader in both the local Jewish and secular community. Finally, Benny Harkesef becomes Robert Benson and settles in the United States. He, too, retains his Jewishness. He eventually ends up working for the NSA and helping with the development of the Geo-Positioning Satellite system.
Throughout the book these men face many coincidences and miracles. This feeling continues in the last half of the book which reads more like Hal Lindsey than Tom Clancy. The U.N. turns on Israel and sends in troops which include a general who turns out to be a descendant of Amelek, the grandson of Esau. The NRA storms the Pentagon (I won't tell you why. It would spoil the surprise.) Prophecy from the Tanakh (Old Testament), Talmud, Zohar and other mystical Jewish writings begin to come into play. (Remember, the author here is a Rabbi. His version of the End-Times is based not on the Revelation of John, but on traditional Jewish writings.) People begin to return to G-d's way. A spiritual leader comes forward and is followed by many Jews, Moslems and Christians alike. The plan that the Mossad put into action with the sinking of the Davar, comes to a conclusion.
Samson's Lion feels a bit like two books - a Tom Clancy novel and an End-Times/Armageddon story. The first part of this book is better than the second. I found myself laughing at some of the twists and turns in it. The book includes several maps and diagrams that are extremely helpful when the text sometimes becomes technical. It also includes an index of names. This can be helpful for some who may find the Middle Eastern names unfamiliar and difficult to keep track of. There is also a glossary of uncommon terms referred to in the book. The terms include Hebrew and Arabic, acronyms and technical terms. I enjoyed this book very much and would recommend it. Just understand that the ending doesn't measure up to the first part.
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If you're interested in reading more of my reviews about Jewish books, you can find some of them at the links below:
The First Jewish Catalog: A Do-It-Yourself Kit
Pentateuch and Haftorah
Etz Hayim: Torah and Commentaries
The Atlas of the Holocaust
The Chosen
Maus: A Survivor’s Tale
Jewish Humor by Joseph Telushkin
Lost In Translation: A Life in a New Language
Mrs. Katz and Tush
Ascending Jacob’s Ladder: The Jewish View of Angels, Demons and Evil Spirits
Every Person’s Guide to Death and Dying in the Jewish Tradition
The Holocaust Industry
Recommended:
Yes
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naphtalia
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