In 701 B.C. the Assyrian empire was in its ascendancy. It had already vanquished the kingdom of Israel to the north including the capital at Samaria. It then prepared an assault on Judah and its capital at Jerusalem.
But in one of those significant events that changes the course of world history, Assyria was repelled. Jerusalem was saved until 586 B.C. when the Babylonians sacked the city, forcing its leadership class into exile.
Henry Aubin, in a major feat of scholarship, determines that Jerusalem was aided by a Kushite army from Africa which had marched northeast from the Nile valley. While the Bible attributes the Assyrian retreat to an angel and secular commentators cite pestilence, Aubin, in a meticulously documented work, demonstrates that an alliance with the African nation of Kush bolstered Jerusalem’s defences.
Kush, also known as Nubia, was located in what is now southern Egypt and northern Sudan. A monarchy that existed for more than 1000 years, from 900 B.C. to A.D. 350, Kushites held sway over Egypt from 712 B.C. to about 660 B.C. Of Egypt’s 31 dynasties, this, the 25th Dynasty, is the only one that all scholars agree, was black.
The commander of the Kushite expeditionary force was Taharqa (or as the Bible calls him Tirhakah). This Kushite prince, who had his own interests in halting Assyrian expansion, likely caught the aggressors by surprise as they prepared their siege of Jerusalem.
Aubin offers a thrilling military history and a stirring political analysis of the ancient world. He also sees the event as influential over the centuries.
The Kushite rescue of the Hebrew kingdom of Judah enabled the fragile, war-ravaged state to endure, to nurse itself back to economic and demographic health, and allowed the Hebrew religion, Yahwism, to evolve within the next several centuries into Judaism. Thus emerged the monotheistic trunk supporting Christianity and Islam.
Robert Lewis began his career as a member of the exalted Ottawa Press Gallery reporting for the Montreal Star. He later was a correspondent for Time-Life News Service, and in 1993, he was appointed editor-in-chief of Maclean’s. In 2001 he became Vice President of Content Development at Rogers Media, and in 2009 he founded Robert Lewis Ink. Bob Lewis is a former Chair, Board of Directors, Canadian Journalism Foundation and a former member of the Board of Governors, York University. He lives in Toronto.
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Praise For Power, Prime Ministers And The Press
“The most important book of the year. Robert Lewis’s Power, Prime Ministers and the Press: The Battle for Truth on Parliament Hill is essential reading for all who believe in a free press, democracy and the critical role of responsible journalism. It is both history lesson and civics lesson – as well as a magnificent portrayal of the National Press Gallery and the wonderful, often wacky, characters who have worked (and played) there from Confederation to tonight’s news.â€
Roy MacGregor
“Bob Lewis has written a brilliant, irreplaceable book. His own experience as a parliamentary reporter over many years gives the account a distinct, personal feel, but it goes well beyond anecdotage to giving us a real history of the often tempestuous relationship between political leaders and the press galleries over the life of the country. Well written, funny, insightful, it takes us through personality clashes and technological change in a thoughtful way. It is a remarkable celebration of our country and the value of a free and outspoken pressâ€
Bob Rae
“This is the riveting story of the men and women who wrote the first draft of Canada’s 150 year history. Bob Lewis tells it with a verve and obvious affection for a craft that has been his life’s work. He also introduces us to the old, pre-Confederation firebrand, William Lyon Mackenzie’s warning that “(W)henever the press is not free, the people are poor, abject, degraded slaves … and reminds us why this admonition is as relevant today as it was throughout the fascinating history he brings to life in these pages.”
Allan Gregg
