The SourceThe Source
Score Classic
What it's about
At an archaeological dig at Tell Makor, an ancient mound in the Galilee, a team led by an American Catholic archaeologist and an Israeli colleague excavates layer after layer of a city that was settled for thousands of years. Each artifact they find opens a story set in the period it came from, from a Stone Age family to Canaanites, Hebrews, Romans, Crusaders and the founding of Israel. Together they make a history of Judaism and the Holy Land.
Why it's worth reading
It spent months at #1 on the New York Times list. It's Michener at his most ambitious, a whole civilization's history told through stories.
You'll love it if you liked
Exodus
The Pillars of the Earth
ShōgunGood to know
It's more than 900 pages, with long digressions on history and religion. Each era's story stands mostly on its own.
By the numbers
- Readers91 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller65 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
Why it made the list
Reads as
Adventurous, Epic
More by James Michener
Centennial
Hawaii
Alaska
TexasIf you like this, read next
To Kill a Mockingbird
The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York
The Color Purple
1984
The Lord of the Rings
A Brief History of TimeExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →
Quick answers
Is The Source worth reading?
Yes. It spent months at #1 on the New York Times list. It ranks #338 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 80.9 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Source about?
At an archaeological dig at Tell Makor, an ancient mound in the Galilee, a team led by an American Catholic archaeologist and an Israeli colleague excavates layer after layer of a city that was settled for thousands of years. Each artifact they find opens a story set in the period it came from, from a Stone Age family to Canaanites, Hebrews, Romans, Crusaders and the founding of Israel. Together they make a history of Judaism and the Holy Land.
How long does it take to read The Source?
About 26 hours (1039 pages), or about 7 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after The Source?
If you liked it, try Exodus by Leon Uris, The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett or Shōgun by James Clavell.