The Hammer: A Story of the Maccabean Times by Church and Seeley
"The Hammer: A Story of the Maccabean Times" by Alfred J. Church and Richmond Seeley is a historical novel written in the late 19th century. The book delves into the tumultuous period of the Maccabean revolt, focusing on the struggles of the Jewish people against Hellenistic influences and oppression. The narrative follows key figures, particularly Judas Maccabee and his brothers, who lead the charge to restore and preserve the Jewish faith during
a time of great turmoil. At the start of the novel, the setting shifts to Jerusalem in 174 B.C., where a festival takes place under the shadow of a newly built Greek Circus—symbolizing the cultural encroachment that threatens the Jewish way of life. The high priest, Jason, is portrayed as increasingly Greek in behavior and attire, reflecting a broader Hellenization of Jewish society. In a conversation with a Greek companion, Jason reveals his complete embrace of Greek culture, rejecting traditional Jewish customs. The chapter culminates in a tragic familial moment when Jason's nephew, a young wrestler, falls gravely ill after performing in the Greek games, prompting the high priest to confront his own moral failures as he attempts to comfort his dying nephew amidst his conflicting identities. This opening sets the stage for exploring themes of identity, faith, and resistance against cultural domination as the characters navigate the complexities of their time. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
Download for free
For your e-reader or reading app — Kindle, Kobo, Apple Books, Calibre etc.
Kindle → Use Send-to-Kindle
- Download the EPUB3 file above
- Upload it on the Amazon site your Kindle is registered with: amazon.com/sendtokindle for the US, amazon.co.uk/sendtokindle for the UK etc.
- It appears on your Kindle and in the Kindle app
Kobo, Nook etc. → Transfer via USB
- Download the EPUB3 file on your computer
- Connect your e-reader by USB and tap "Connect" on its screen
- Drag the file onto the e-reader drive
Phone, Tablet or Computer → Online or Reading App
Easiest: read online in your browser. Nothing to install.
Or use a reading app:
- Find and install one you like, for example Apple Books, ReadEra or Thorium Reader
- Download the EPUB3 file above
- Open it in the app
More help: iPhone / iPad · Android · Computer
Other formats & older devices
There may be more files related to this item.
About this eBook
| Author | Church, Alfred John, 1829-1912 |
|---|---|
| Author | Seeley, Richmond |
| Illustrator | Jellicoe, John, 1842-1914 |
| Title | The Hammer: A Story of the Maccabean Times |
| Reading Level | Reading ease score: 77.0 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read. |
| Language | English |
| LoC Class | PR: Language and Literatures: English literature |
| Subject | Jews -- History -- To 70 A.D. -- Fiction |
| Subject | Jewish fiction |
| Subject | Maccabees -- Fiction |
| Category | Text |
| eBook-No. | 44550 |
| ISBN (HTML) | 979-8-238-44550-2 |
| Release Date | Dec 31, 2013 |
| Last Update | Jun 15, 2020 |
| Copyright | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 407 downloads in the last 30 days. |
Project Gutenberg eBooks are always free!