2007 National Jewish Book Award Winner (scroll down to read more)
About HOMELAND
Since it’s publication in April 2007, more than 7,500 copies of HOMELAND: The Illustrated History of the State of Israel have been sold through Nachshon Press, in bookstores nationwide, and on-line including at Amazon.com.
HOMELAND is a groundbreaking historical and religious graphic nonfiction depicting the history of Israel from biblical Abraham to the present. History, religion, politics, and the current Middle East situation are all given comprehensive coverage in the text.
This four-color graphic adaptation of Israel is academically grounded, guiding readers through highlights both in historical detail and from Israel's world view.
With painted art that jumps right off the page, this crash course is a captivating way for readers to absorb, understand and retain key information about 3,500 years of complicated history.
HOMELAND: The Illustrated History of Israel, Second Edition, is updated through July 2008 and includes the Winograd Commission Report on the war in Lebanon, the threat to Israel by Iran, and Israel's 60th anniversary as a State.
Meet the Professor
HOMELAND Concept
William J. Rubin, MA/MBA, Executive Editor of Nachshon Press, conceived of and is the chief architect of HOMELAND.
"The
Middle East is in the news nearly every day, yet there's a real lack of
understanding about the area," says Rubin. "We wanted to bring Israel's
narrative to the public in a way that would be accessible, academically
sound, and balanced.
"The history of the State of
Israel is a great story and I knew that this type of information would
work exceedingly well in the graphic novel format."
HOMELAND
presents this story with the latest graphics and state-of-the-art
design techniques. Its compelling text has been extensively researched
and academically vetted. While the story is told from the Jewish
perspective, it acknowledges that there are other narratives about the
land.
Written for adult audiences and students
age 12 and older, HOMELAND is a book for readers of all faiths and can
provide insight for everyone about the State of Israel. The book
includes an introduction by Rona Ramon, wife of the Israeli astronaut
Ilan Ramon who perished in the NASA Space Shuttle Columbia tragedy.
HOMELAND Reviews
The work has already begun to receive critical acclaim.
"Imagine taking a semester-long course on the complete history of
Israel, from the days of Genesis to events as recent as January 2007.
Imagine also that there is a week-long field trip to Israel as part of
this class. The professor is a young, attractive, and extremely
knowledgeable woman, and the class is composed of an ethnically-diverse
group of highly-motivated students. Finally, imagine that this entire
experience can be yours for the price of $19.95, and it can be carried
around easily in a briefcase or backpack. Are you interested? If so,
head to your nearest bookseller and get this amazing book."
-- Wendy Wasman, Association of Jewish Libraries
"A provocative, evocative look at Israel's history...a feast of full-color photos and painted art illustrations..."
-- Dallas Morning News
A superbly illustrated history ... Exceptionally easy to understand
... Of special note is how the authors, while writing from a Jewish
perspective, have also drawn upon non-Jewish narratives as well, giving
"Homeland" an historical context with respect to contemporary Middle
East issues. "Homeland: The Illustrated History of the State of Israel"
is a welcome and enthusiastically recommended addition to personal,
school, and community library collections.
-- Midwest Book Review
"I've been looking for a text that could help students visualize Jewish history my entire rabbinic career. Now it's here."
-- Rabbi Josh Goldstein, Temple Sha'arey Shalom, Springfield, NJ
"... a stunning, timely volume that belongs in any library's
history, Judaica, and graphic novel sections. It's written for adults
and YA readers 12 and older who appreciate and want high quality,
historical nonfiction graphic novels."
-- Ingram Library Services
"Amid differing opinions of the conflicts in the Middle East, this
book provides valuable historical information about Israel and its
people. I remember debating the Arab-Israeli War of 1967 with a couple
of classmates during recess. Armed only with what we had gleaned from
newspapers and television news, we could have used this book for our
discussions. With the end notes and sources list, it can serve as a
supplemental or introductory text for high school students." ---- Kat
Kan, VOYA (Voices of Youth Advocacy)
"Telling Israel's story like never before... a masterpiece. In 128
stunningly illustrated and brilliantly written pages, HOMELAND weaves
the story of the Jewish people and its relationship to Israel. -- Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago JUF News
I expected to get a very defensive book extolling the sins of the
Islam people's behavior. This book turned out to be something
different. [After reading HOMELAND] I know more about the issue than I
ever have and I didn't feel like the cause of the Israelites was forced
down my throat...anyone who wants to know more about the issue in the
middle east needs to read this book.
-- Sabrina's Reviews, www.sabrinareviews.blogspot.com
"...can best be described as one of the greatest history text books
ever created.... Mario Ruiz's work is amazing to behold... the
educational value is limitless... an inspiring piece of work that has
taken effort, heart, and strength to make." -- Aaron Stueve, Broken Frontier
HOMELAND Awards
Winner 2007 NATIONAL JEWISH BOOK AWARD
Children's and Young Adults Literature
The National Jewish Book Awards are recognized as the most
prestigious awards in Jewish literature. Administered by the Jewish
Book Council, it is the longest running North American awards program
of its kind in the field of Jewish literature. The awards, presented by
category, are designed to give recognition to outstanding books, to
stimulate writers to further literary creativity and to encourage the
reading of worthwhile titles.
Winner, Association of Educational Publishers Distinguished Achievement Award in Social Studies Curriculum for Grades 9-12
The Distinguished Achievement Awards recognize the country's best
educational materials such as books, periodicals, educational toys, and
software within subject categories and by audience.
Gold Medal Winner, 2008 Independent Publisher Book Awards, Multicultural Non-Fiction, Teens and Young Adults
The IPPY recognizes the best independently published books. Out of
3,175 entries, HOMELAND is one of 64 books that received Gold Medals.
The judging panel includes experts from the fields of editing, design,
reviewing, book selling and library services.
Gold Medal Winner 2007 Moonbeam Book Awards
Non-Fiction Young Adult
HOMELAND was selected out of more than 800 entries in 65 categories.
Moonbeam Children's Book Awards honor the year's best children's books,
authors and illustrators. Presented by Independent Publisher Online,
the Moonbeam Children's Book Awards bring increased recognition to
exemplary children's books and their creators, and promote childhood
literacy and life-long reading.
Winner USA Book News Best Books 2007
Political History
Selected by a panel of book industry judges, the award is presented
by USA Book News.com, an online publication providing coverage for books
from mainstream and independent publishers to the world online
community.
2008 Notable Book for Teen Readers
Sydney Taylor Book Award Committee of the Association of Jewish Libraries
The Sydney Taylor Book Award recognizes the best in Jewish
children's literature. Medals are awarded annually for outstanding
books that authentically portray the Jewish experience. The award was
established in 1968. It is named in memory of Sydney Taylor, author of
the classic All-of-a-Kind Family series.
HOMELAND Authors
The HOMELAND creative team came together from diverse backgrounds and literally spans the nation.
In
addition to Rubin, writer Marv Wolfman is the well-known author of
graphic novels, television, animation, and comic books including Blade,
Teen Titans, Crisis on Infinite Earths and Superman Returns.
Mario
Ruiz is the creator and artist of the graphic novels Samson: Judge of
Israel and Testament, the former editor-in-chief and creator of Metron
Press, the founder of Valor Comics, and an advertising and graphic
design art director.
HOMELAND is available in hard cover and
soft cover through the publisher, Nachshon Press and in bookstores
nationwide. It is distributed by Independent Publishers Group.