9780061966965
Play Sample

America’s Prophet audiobook

(545 ratings)
33% Cheaper than Audible
Get for $0.00
  • $9.99 per book vs $14.95 at Audible
    Good for any title to download and keep
  • Listen at up to 4.5x speed
    Good for any title to download and keep
  • Fall asleep to your favorite books
    Set a sleep timer while you listen
  • Unlimited listening to our Classics.
    Listen to thousands of classics for no extra cost. Ever
Loading ...
Regular Price: 24.99 USD

America’s Prophet Audiobook Summary

Bruce Feiler’s New York Times bestsellers Abraham, Walking the Bible, and Where God Was Born brilliantly explored the roots of faith. With America’s Prophet, Feiler looks at Moses and the essential role the prophet has played in our nation’s history and development. Bruce Feiler’s most fascinating and thought-provoking book to date, America’s Prophet delves deeply into how the Exodus story and America’s true “Spiritual Founding Father” have inspired many of the most important figures and defining events in this country’s history–from the Mayflower Pilgrims to the Civil Rights movement–and how Moses can provide meaning in times of national crisis, even today.

Other Top Audiobooks

America’s Prophet Audiobook Narrator

Bruce Feiler is the narrator of America’s Prophet audiobook that was written by Bruce Feiler

Bruce Feiler is the author of six consecutive New York Times bestsellers, including Abraham, Where God Was Born, America's Prophet, The Council of Dads, and The Secrets of Happy Families. He is a columnist for the New York Times, a popular lecturer, and a frequent commentator on radio and television. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife and twin daughters.

About the Author(s) of America’s Prophet

Bruce Feiler is the author of America’s Prophet

America’s Prophet Full Details

Narrator Bruce Feiler
Length 9 hours 37 minutes
Author Bruce Feiler
Category
Publisher HarperAudio
Release date October 06, 2009
ISBN 9780061966965

Subjects

The publisher of the America’s Prophet is HarperAudio. includes the following subjects: The BISAC Subject Code is Biography & Autobiography, Religious

Additional info

The publisher of the America’s Prophet is HarperAudio. The imprint is HarperAudio. It is supplied by HarperAudio. The ISBN-13 is 9780061966965.

Global Availability

This book is only available in the United States.

Goodreads Reviews

David

June 12, 2014

The premise of this fascinating book, is that many key points of American history were based on the biblical character, Moses. His story had strong influence on the Pilgrims, on Harriet Tubman, Brigham Young, Martin Luther King Jr., and on a number of presidents, including George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and even George W. Bush. The Second Continental Congress appointed John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson to form a committee to design a seal for the United States. Both Franklin and Jefferson independently proposed seal designs picturing scenes from the Exodus! They both thought that freedom was an important concept to be embodied in the seal. (Neither of their proposals was ultimately accepted.)The Liberty Bell is inscribed with words of Moses, "Proclaim Liberty throughout all the Land unto all the Inhabitants thereof." A hand of the Statue of Liberty holds a set of tablets, reminiscent of Moses. He was a national hero for slaves, who sang a number of songs about him. The comic book hero Superman is based partly on Moses; both were sent away as babies by their mothers, in order to survive, and both grew up, unknowingly, among people from "other tribes".Moses has always been a symbol of gaining freedom from oppression. This theme figures very strongly in the American psyche. Bruce Feiler makes a very strong case for the central role that the story of Moses has played throughout history.I listened to this book as an audiobook, which was read by the author. Feiler is a mediocre reader; his narration does not add much to the impact of the book. Nevertheless, this book weaves together a compelling story, explaining how the concept of liberty holds so strongly among Americans, and how Moses is seen almost universally as a hero who embodies this concept.

Sher

December 14, 2010

I really really liked this book, and I am sure it has changed the way look at history, and many key figures in it, particularly the way I look at the founding of America. But there was an underlying tone I did not like. The author, Bruce Feiler, was Jewish. I have no argument with that, and I appreciate his point of view and totally understand it. The part I did not like was his comparison of Moses and Jesus Christ. He in effect dis-empowers Christ and gives all credit to Moses. I understand that he does not believe that Jesus was the Christ, and since he doesn't, he sees the comparison as being between two more or less equal leaders. He says Christ is not a very effectual leader. I suppose his opinions would change if he realized or believed that Christ is the God, the Great I Am, who spoke to Moses on Sinai. Wow, that would be a big eye opener, wouldn't it. That said, I loved the things he had to teach me about the way Moses' story is used as a type for so many people and circumstances down through history. I learned so much, and for that I am grateful. Moses was a great prophet, there is no doubt about it. And as I recently reread the Pentateuch, I came to realize in a very powerful way how close Moses was to his Lord. I came to love and appreciate him more than I ever have. This journey of mine through the Pentateuch, and now through this book on Moses and those other "Moseses" who have come after him, has been incredibly interesting and worthwhile. I have learned so much!

Brian

December 06, 2020

Feiler is an enthusiastic explorer of all that Moses has meant to Americans, whether he was taken as the prophet of liberty from all servitude, the bringer of a stern holy law, or a proclaimer of special status for his own (Judeo-Christian) people over others.

Ross

January 01, 2023

The Liberty Bell has a curious sentence inscribed on it: “"Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants thereof."Some thoughts:* Pilgrims are still with us because their dreams were realized on these distant shores, but at such price of half their lives and unimaginable hardship. They saw themselves in a Mosaic light, in a new Promised Land, led by God, away from pharaoh’s persecution.* Moses on the seal, as offered by Jefferson, Adams, and Franklin first.* Moses’ legacy is Sinai and the Red Sea: Law and Freedom together* Ever since 1776, Freedom has had an American accent (just as since the first Passover, it has had a Hebrew accent).* There are, and always have been two Americas: one, founded by Jonathan Edwards and George Whitfield, that begins from Biblical roots and Pilgrims’ dreams, and the other, with figureheads like Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Edison, that spark ideas from the Enlightenment. Secularists believe that secular culture will eventually abolish religion, and Judeo-Christians believe America will come back to its religious roots. But both are wrong. There will always be a religious America and a secular America.* A study of the Statue of Liberty would be a great look at immigration history in History class or Saturday School.* God’s people will always come back to God in exile (Emma Lazarus’ words when she, an agnostic Jew, saw the waves of Jewish immigrants from E. Europe and Russia after Tsar Alexander’s assassination and became infatuated with reclaiming her Jewish traditions and identity. A friend pushed her to write The New Colossus, rechristening, or rather, rejudaizing, it back to its monotheistic foundation (instead of it being an ode to a pagan deity).81% of Americans believe in God in 2022 (Gallup), down from 87% in 2017.* Moses is the Law-Giver, his statue on the Supreme Court along with Solon of Athens and Confucius of China. But he is also the reluctant leader. And he dealt with rebellions from his own people. Middle manager, between the people and God.* But he is also the rebel. The quintessential figure to stand against the oppressive totalitarian theocracy, the dictator of Pharaoh. Every generation redefines him.* Every century, some argue, there comes a new Moses in terms of freedom: Washington, Lincoln, King Jr.

Steven

September 16, 2018

Interesting to see Moses's story overlaid over American history. Feiler made a compelling case for Moses's influence. Feiler often compared the influence of Jesus and Moses and concluded that Moses held more influence for America. I wish, though, the he had recognized that Jesus himself was both influenced by Moses and fulfilled Moses's story. Moses functions in the temporal realm to bring freedom and institute law. Jesus takes these themes and fulfills them in the spiritual realm - freedom from sin and law under the Holy Spirit. That spiritual reality then has an effect on the temporal reality. So, Christians being transformed spiritually by Jesus then draw on Moses to bring liberation in the social and political world. Such an exploration was outside the scope of Feiler's work, but from a Christian perspective, adds to his thesis.

Kathleen

September 16, 2022

While not my favorite of his books, this is an excellent look at the conscious and subconscious role Moses has in the story of America. His research was astounding and very thorough.The only reason I say it is not my favorite of his books is that while it has his experiences trying to "track down" t

Alfred

July 14, 2020

One of the best, most enlightening reads in my personal library. Beautiful writing and scholarly research, combined with in-person interviews, makes this a keeper. I'd never thought of American history through the lens of the Moses and the Exodus. I've read other books by Bruce Feiler and loved them, but for me this one is the crown.--Alfred J. Garrotto, author, Bishop Myriel: In His Own Words.

Wil

September 03, 2020

I had no idea of the extent of the influence of the Moses and Exodus themes on the fabric of American life. This is a fascinating and highly informative book.

Shari

December 28, 2018

Captivating and fun read.

Chris

May 15, 2018

I enjoyed the biblical and historical perspectives in this book.

Derek

October 24, 2009

Ask the average American for the most influential person in the Bible and you'll likely hear "Jesus." Not so, says Bruce Feiler, who has made a career of bringing new life to old (but beloved) texts. Feiler keeps his wandering closer to home this time (he has traveled religious lands extensively) as he explores the importance of Moses in American history. Actually, importance is an understatement. According to Feiler, "you can't understand American history...without understanding Moses." He misses little ground in laying out his case, tracing the role of Moses in the Pilgrims, the Revolution, George Washington, the Underground Railroad, the Civil War, the Statue of Liberty, Hollywood, Superman, and the Civil Rights Movement. One of Feiler's strengths as a writer is seeking out new perspectives and discounting no one. He learns as much from scholars as he does from random conversations in part because he is interested in how issues impact people. Some of his ground here is well trodden, such as the United States founders interpreting their story as that of Moses, or seeing how the slaves found inspiration in the Moses story. But Feiler notes the slave owners used the same story for inspiration, especially as the Civil War approrached.Therein lies a crucial argument for Feiler to address. Just because people have taken on the Moses story does not mean they were inspired by it. Indeed, some of what we see here is one of most common misuses of the Bible, where we appropriate scripture to justify whatever issue we wish to address. There is no doubt some of this is occurring with some of these examples, but that does not lessen the overall argument. But it is what makes Feiler's unusual subjects all the more interesting. His discussion of Cecil B DeMille's "Ten Commandments" movie shows how this was not just another movie for the famed director, but a chance to use the story of Moses to move American forward (as he felt it should). Even more interesting is the too short section on the creation of Superman as a modern-day Moses, a connection not missed by Hitler who banned the "Jewish" comic book. By the end of the book the natural question is, so what? What do all these connections mean? Feiler anticipates the questions and summarizes his argument with three main themes. First, the story arises again and again because it tells of "the courage to escape oppression and seek the Promised Land." This aspect of the Exodus story is why so many people around the world can relate to the story. Anywhere and any time people are oppressed, the story of a people who break free from that oppression against all odds is inspiring. Feiler's second theme is "the tension between freedom and law." Throughout the book this comes forth as one of Feiler's most interesting points. Moses realizes that freedom without law is chaos and receives the Ten Commandments. As the Pilgrims prepare to land they create their own set of laws, and during the Civil Rights movement they seek to overturn unjust laws but not escape the responsibility which comes with freedom. In the end the concept which best captures this is that of covenant, an agreement between individuals and their community, and for many, between their community and God. Current society clearly focuses on the idea of freedom over responsibility, and a reminder of this needed balance is important. Finally, Feiler says a third theme is "the building of a society that welcomes the outsider and uplifts the downtrodden." This is not simply some left-wing interpretation of the Moses story. Instead, Feiler focuses on God's compassion to the Israelites throughout the Exodus story; if God shows such compassion, it is expected from the people as well. So where is Moses today? Feiler and others offer no current models (Martin Luther King Jr. being the clearest, recent example). But then Moses is not meant to be around at all times. Instead, a Moses arises out of oppression when people need to be led forward, so it is certain that another Moses will appear at some point in the future. In the meantime, the Passover tradition is one which calls on people to remember the Exodus story, and now Feiler has given us the American Passover version of remembering this story and this person so we can be prepared for the next Moses.

Sawn

July 31, 2019

very entertaining, educating, historical, and enlightening

Jesse Schexnayder

December 08, 2010

If any one individual can be tied to the American story, it is Moses and his story of Exodus. From the earliest Puritans to the pop culture of Superman and on to the civil rights marches, Moses's struggle to achieve freedom from oppression for his people, and the moral ideals demanded by living with the consequences of that success run in a common stream through every great American struggle and achievement. And this is because the Mosaic law, unbeknownst to many modern Americans, is the primary foundation for Western civilization and thought. Not only that, but Moses's story of redemption, human imperfection, and frequent disappointment strike a chord with the American experience on an individual level, and set the stage for that historically American perspective of never signing one's dreams over to the status-quo.Moses's words are engraved on the Liberty Bell: Proclaim LIBERTY throughout all the Land unto all the Inhabitants thereof. An image of Moses and the Exodus was the original proposal for the US Seal designed by Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams.And John Winthrop quoted these words on the Arbella in 1630, MLK Jr. invoked them the night before he was killed in 1968, and Ronald Reagan repeated them at the base of the Statue of Liberty on its centennial birthday in 1986: "See, I have set before you this day life and good, death and adversity. For I command you this day to love the Lord your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments. But if you turn away, you shall certainly perish; you shall not long endure on the soil that you are crossing the Jordan to enter. I have put before you life and death, blessing and curse. Choose life - that you and your offspring shall live."

Claire

January 02, 2010

When you think of America's Founding Fathers, several names come to mind; Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and countless other leaders of the era. One name that probably doesn't pop up in your thoughts quickly is Moses. But that will change when you read Bruce Feiler's latest book, "America's Prophet." In these pages he makes a persuasive argument that Moses has been the thread connecting American history since the first Pilgrims landed on the Atlantic Shore. Through almost four centuries, Moses has been the common symbol of the struggle for freedom--from the Pilgrims to the colonists to the fight against slavery, right up through the 20th century Civil Rights movement.Much of this will be familiar to even casual students of the history of the United States (the famous inscription on the Liberty Bell), but there are some revelations here as well. Did you know that three of the founders proposed a Great Seal for the United States that featured the image of Moses?Feiler's storytelling technique will be familiar to anyone who has read his previous books, especially those dealing with the Bible. We venture forth at his side as he climbs the tower where the Liberty Bell once hung, retraces the path of the Underground Railroad and slips into a Masonic Service. We watch as he slips into Charlton Heston's robe from the Ten Commandments, carefully preserved among the artifacts of the C.B. DeMille estate.In these pages, Feiler shows that the story of Moses continues to provide inspiration to generation after generation, in part because it is mutable; sometimes he's the stern lawgiver; in other eras he is the voice of the oppressed masses. But his story endures, Feiler concludes, because it is a narrative of hope.

Frequently asked questions

Listening to audiobooks not only easy, it is also very convenient. You can listen to audiobooks on almost every device. From your laptop to your smart phone or even a smart speaker like Apple HomePod or even Alexa. Here’s how you can get started listening to audiobooks.

  • 1. Download your favorite audiobook app such as Speechify.
  • 2. Sign up for an account.
  • 3. Browse the library for the best audiobooks and select the first one for free
  • 4. Download the audiobook file to your device
  • 5. Open the Speechify audiobook app and select the audiobook you want to listen to.
  • 6. Adjust the playback speed and other settings to your preference.
  • 7. Press play and enjoy!

While you can listen to the bestsellers on almost any device, and preferences may vary, generally smart phones are offer the most convenience factor. You could be working out, grocery shopping, or even watching your dog in the dog park on a Saturday morning.
However, most audiobook apps work across multiple devices so you can pick up that riveting new Stephen King book you started at the dog park, back on your laptop when you get back home.

Speechify is one of the best apps for audiobooks. The pricing structure is the most competitive in the market and the app is easy to use. It features the best sellers and award winning authors. Listen to your favorite books or discover new ones and listen to real voice actors read to you. Getting started is easy, the first book is free.

Research showcasing the brain health benefits of reading on a regular basis is wide-ranging and undeniable. However, research comparing the benefits of reading vs listening is much more sparse. According to professor of psychology and author Dr. Kristen Willeumier, though, there is good reason to believe that the reading experience provided by audiobooks offers many of the same brain benefits as reading a physical book.

Audiobooks are recordings of books that are read aloud by a professional voice actor. The recordings are typically available for purchase and download in digital formats such as MP3, WMA, or AAC. They can also be streamed from online services like Speechify, Audible, AppleBooks, or Spotify.
You simply download the app onto your smart phone, create your account, and in Speechify, you can choose your first book, from our vast library of best-sellers and classics, to read for free.

Audiobooks, like real books can add up over time. Here’s where you can listen to audiobooks for free. Speechify let’s you read your first best seller for free. Apart from that, we have a vast selection of free audiobooks that you can enjoy. Get the same rich experience no matter if the book was free or not.

It depends. Yes, there are free audiobooks and paid audiobooks. Speechify offers a blend of both!

It varies. The easiest way depends on a few things. The app and service you use, which device, and platform. Speechify is the easiest way to listen to audiobooks. Downloading the app is quick. It is not a large app and does not eat up space on your iPhone or Android device.
Listening to audiobooks on your smart phone, with Speechify, is the easiest way to listen to audiobooks.

footer-waves