Reviews (11)

A Flawed Tale of a Flawed Man
It is said that, during World War Two, the village of Le Chambon in southern France was the safest place in Europe. It was this small village where Andre Trocme, a Protestant pastor, charged his church and his entire village with the task of protecting refugees, and primarily the Jewish refugees who were fleeing Nazi oppression. The story of this man and, to a lesser extent this village, is told in Lest Innocent Blood Be Shed, written by Philip Hallie, a philosopher and ethicist whose study of the horrors of the Second World War had driven him to near despair.
More powerful than evil
Philip Hallie, a Jewish philosopher, had slipped in to a state of depression as a result of his research of human cruelty, especially regarding the Holocaust.He felt as though he was a prisoner in that he wished harm on evil doers and had himself become untouched by suffering. He was doing research when he noticed something unusual, he was weeping. The reason? He had come across a short article about a village in France, which had resisted Hitler during the French Occupation (1940-1944).The village was the pacifistic Le Chambon.
inspiring story, but fragmented writing
The true story told in this book is amazing, inspiring, and miraculous. More people should know about it!! Pastor Trocme was the leader of the resistance, and much of the book is about him and his family.He was Pastor in a little Protestant town in France, and he and his townspeople saved the lives of hundreds of Jewish children.
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Subjects:  1. Europe - France    2. France    3. History - General History    4. History: World    5. Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)    6. Jewish - General    7. Jews    8. Le Chambon-sur-Lignon    9. Military - World War II    10. Rescue    11. World War, 1939-1945    12. History / Jewish   

Editorial Review

Why are there kosher dietary laws, why must the chapter of curses in the Tora be read quickly in a low voice, and what's the point of visiting a body of water to empty pockets of crumbs on Rosh Hashana? Kolatch writes lucidly and knowingly, explaining the biblical, traditional and superstitious sources of thousands of questions pertaining to Judaism; the comprehensive index is expertly organized. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Great Gift
Give a copy of this book to every kid whose Bar or Bat-Mitzvah you attend. It's a terrific reference for all those nagging little questions. A true classic and a great companion to your monetary gift. I'd also suggest it as a good gift for any non-Jew who'd just like to understand their Jewish friends a little better.

Sensible, Readable & Informative
This book's question-and-answer format makes for easy reading, and should be of equal interest to both Jews and non-Jews alike.Want to know about Jewish marriage, divorce and family life?How about holidays, rituals, differences between orthodox and reform branches, or after affects of the Nazi holocaust?The answers are found here in this slightly dated book, one that was soon followed by a sequel (the Second Book of Jewish Why).This is an informative and nicely readable reference - one can only hope that authors from other religions and traditions will write books with a similar format.

Basic answers
The book provides basic answers to the thousands of questions on Jewish relgious matters.
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Subjects:  1. Customs and practices    2. Judaism    3. Judaism - General    4. Judaism - Rituals & Practice    5. Miscellanea    6. Religion    7. Religion - World Religions    8. Jewish studies    9. Religion / Judaism / Beliefs, Practices, Rituals   

Reviews (12)

A Seminal Work on the Holocaust
Hilberg's brilliant and dispassionate treatment of attempts throughout history to destroy the Jews sets a new standard for scholarship and for the historical analysis of emotionally charge subjects.Through his own efficient analytic framework of precedents, antecedents, and scope of organization, Hilberg gives us a lucid formula for both understanding and explaining the subtext, context, and pretext of the 1500-year old continuously running saga of anti-Semitism. The effect is to place the reader in the cockpit of the planners of one of the worst disasters known to man, the holocaust of World War-II.But more importantly, he also provides us with all the necessary facts that go with, and that load his framework.
Obligatory
The text I read (three volume hard cover) is the definitive work on the Holocaust. It profiles all aspects of a demonic criminal conspiracy, as well as the practical planning and ultimate consequences.
Concise and revealing
I have several dozen books on the Holocaust, and more than that on my wish list. For a few years now, I have wanted to know 'How did it happen, and Why?'. I found myself stopping every other page to think about the words I had read, and the ideas they conveyed. This book is by far one of the best, seconded only by Martin Gilbert's 'The Holocaust'. I see survivor's messages that ask 'How could it happen...Where was God...Why the Jews?' I am slowly coming away with an answer in my head that just won't go away. Perhaps we would all {those of us deemed worthy to live, anyway} be speaking German today if Hitler hadn't focused so much effort on obliterating such a wonderful and gentle people. If there has to be a reason, maybe the Jews saved the world from the Nazi's! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1933-1945    2. Germany    3. History - Military / War    4. History: American    5. Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)    6. Military - World War II    7. Politics and government    8. Europe    9. Jewish studies    10. The Holocaust    11. World history: Second World War   

Reviews (11)

Massively researched, lucidly written, and cogently argued
In this massively researched, lucidly written, and cogently argued narrative, as Edward Alexander of the University of Washington wrote, Levin tells the appalling story of what has been called the greatest self-inflicted wound of political history: Israel's embrace of Yasir Arafat and the Palestine Liberation Organization in the Oslo accords of September 1993 and its dogged adherence to its obligations under them even as its "peace partner" was blatantly flouting its own.
Overdue Historical Review of the Folly of Appeasement
This is a seminal book, that should be must reading for anyone interested in the Israel-Arab conflict. The author is a psychiatrist with a Ph.D in History from Princeton.It is a very thoroughly researched, carefully documented review of the long history of Jewish wishful thinking responses to oppression and aggression directed against them, starting long ago in Europe and brought up to date in the Middle East.The lessons for the current situation in the Middle East are clearly drawn, and demand thoughful consideration by the reader.
A Must Read for Anyone With An Open Mind
This is, by far, the best written analysis of the apparently mindless descent into potential oblivion that Israel appears headed to. It begins by setting the stage of Jewish self-hatred and self-effacement as a reaction to anti-semitism, as it developed in the Diaspora during this last millenium.Specifically, there is a detailed analysis of this phenomenon in the "civilized" world of 19th and 20th century Germany, as contrasted with the more "primitive" Eastern European Jewish experience.The author shows how the constant self delusion of the Jews - in its myriad of forms and expressions - is the basis for the present day erosion from within that the Jewish State is undergoing.I believe that this book should be mandatory reading in any Middle Eastern course, or for that matter, for anyone seeking to understand this unique group psychological phenomenon.As a proud Jew and a Zionist, I wish that this book would be sent - gratis - to journalists, academics, politicians, and to other people who collectively can influence the course of history. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1993-    2. Arab-Israeli conflict    3. History    4. History: World    5. Israel    6. Jewish Studies    7. Jews    8. Judaism    9. Middle East - Israel    10. Peace    11. Psychological aspects    12. Psychology   

Reviews (27)

An entertaining romp through 5000 years of Western Civilization
Jews, God and History is a sobering but very entertaining romp through 5000 years of Western Civilization, which as Dimont so carefully points out, is in many essential respects, the invention of Jews. Simply great
It's hard to believe this was Dimont's first book.As a fan of historical nonfiction,this is one of the best I've read. Its breadth is not limited to the Jewish people but also includes the many cultures into which their story has been incorporated throughout the past- this is one of the most engaging and easily readable works I have come across.It does indeed read more like a detective novel than a historical chronicle,yet it always maintains it's balance and factual integrity.It is about as objective as one can hope to get when it comes to so sweeping and potentially volatile a subject as Jewish history.
Good overview of Jewish history for the general reader
This is an outstanding overview of Jewish history for the general reader. It is tremendously rich in information and written with an underlying warmth and sympathy that move the reader greatly. It is a good introduction but should not be the only book the reader reads on the subject. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. History    2. History - General History    3. Jewish - General    4. Judaism - History    5. Religion    6. Fiction / Classics   

Reviews (3)

An essential set of insights.
Students of ancient or Jewish history will find MAIMONIDES an important biographical study, telling of a rabbi, physician and philosopher whose works blended science with spirituality, and who has served as a model for Jewish doctors since the 12th century. Chapters provide a focus on Maimonides' works and perspective with an eye to drawing connections to the modern world, and make for an essential set of insights.
Dr. Maimonides
Dr. Nuland "biography" of Maimonides focusses mostly on the sage as a physician, with much of the rest of his life sketchy at best. In fact, the first chapter virtually ignores the subject and instead describes the author's views on why so many Jews became physicians over the centuries.That being said, Dr. Nuland's book is well written, gives historical insights into medicine in the 12th century period, and is easy to read.I have not read any of the other biographies of Maimonides, several of which are cited by Dr. Nuland, and therefore cannot judge whether the paucity of details of Maimonides life presented other than medical is a intentional or the result of the actual absence of data.

A Hero for Our Time
The great philosopher, physician and leader is brought vividly to life by Sherwin Nuland, himself a writer-physician.Although this is a relatively brief book, it touches on all the points of Maimonides's life with authority and clarity.Nuland positions his subject's writings within the issues of his time and ours.With a well-annotated bibliography this is a fine entry into a fascinating life. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1135-1204    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Egypt    7. Jewish Theology    8. Jewish philosophers    9. Jewish scholars    10. Judaism - General    11. Judaism - History    12. Maimonides, Moses,    13. Medical - General    14. Philosophy Of Judaism    15. Rabbis    16. Religious    17. Biography & Autobiography / Religious    18. Jewish studies    19. Judaism   

Reviews (12)

Good resource, bizarre notes
This is a nice, cheap, one-volume resource.However, the notes and commentary are very unhelpful.For instance, Maier holds that Josephus was an Ebionite Christian, a thesis which is in the extreme scholarly minority.
Josephus by Flavius Josephus
Josephus was born to an aristocratic family in 37AD. The work
A Must Read for the Serious Historian
This book was a serendipitous purchase.I was reading "James the Brother of Jesus, and that author recommended having three other works available while studying.One was "Josephus."I have not, unfortunately, finished "James" yet, but am totally fascinated by Josephus.One sees him as a bit puffed up about himself at times, as the detailed historian, the passionate supporter of causes, but most of all as a realist of the time.So valuable because organized religion seldom provides the lay person seldom insight into the actual social and political pressures that moved events that we take for granted in an almost legendary way.Again, a fascinating work is Josephus. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ancient - General    2. History    3. History - General History    4. History Of Jews    5. Jewish - General    6. Jews    7. Rebellion, 66-73    8. Religion    9. To 70 A.D    10. History / Ancient / General   

Subjects:  1. Apocalyptic literature    2. Christianity    3. Dead Sea scrolls    4. History and criticism    5. Judaism And Christianity    6. Origin    7. Rabbinical literature    8. Relation to the New Testament    9. Religion    10. Religion & Beliefs   

Reviews (8)

Memoirs of Glueckel of Hameln
Fascinating description of an educated Jewish woman's life in the 1600's with an amazing amount of travel in Northern Europe pertaining to family matters and business.It was not a small world by any means.She was a bit effusive in her thanks and acceptance of her life with moralising, but her description of her life is outstanding.

Awellworth-reading document of historical significance
Almost all of the human beings who have lived on this earth have left behind no name or story. This is also true about the vast majority of Jews even when the Jews are a people for whom remembrance is a sacred act. The great great majority of Jews who have lived on this planet too have no names and no stories.
A window into the past
I loved this book.Perhaps I should say that I like old memoirs and journals, particularly by women [and there are so few of them!] and that I also enjoy reading historical documents and about history of certain places and certain centuries.That may be one of the biases of these lines.I might also add I am not Jewish.Read more

Subjects:  1. 1646-1724    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Germany    6. Glueckel,    7. Historical - General    8. Jewish - General    9. Jews    10. Jews in Germany    11. Women    12. of Hameln,    13. Biography: historical    14. Biography: political    15. European history: c 1500 to c 1750    16. Glueckel    17. Jewish studies    18. Social Science / Women's Studies   

Reviews (5)

A Great Historical Perspective
Overall, a well-researched and balanced account of the topic.Without repeating the accolades from others reviewers, let me just add that this book also offers some truly "humorous" quotes (if you can call them as such).My favourite one: [A Jewish man confronted with the choice of converting to Christianity] "How can I believe in Christianity when I don't even believe in Judaism, which is the only true religion?".The wide spectrum of views expressed by German Jews pre-WWII with respect to the level of anti-Semitism in Germany is quite intriguing.

AN OUTSTANDING WORK OF UNIVERSAL SCOPE
This is one of the finest works of history, in any subject, I have ever read.
A superb, sad, brilliant book
Amos Elon's book is a masterpiece. I read it cover to cover and could not put it down. Filled with crucial historical data and drawn from a wide variety of sources, it is engrossing while being perhaps the saddest book I ever read. Elon captures the poignancy of the German Jews wish to be true parts of Germany, their heartfelt efforts. Yet throughout, despite the times when it feels like they are on the threshhold of acceptance, you know the end of the story and sense its tragic inevitability.
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Subjects:  1. Europe - Germany    2. History    3. History - General History    4. History Of Jews    5. History: World    6. Jewish - General    7. Western Europe - History +    8. World - General   

Reviews (2)

Just superb!!!!
Jeffrey Herf's THE JEWISH ENEMY is a masterpiece. It is meticulously researched, beautifully written and solidly argued. Above all, it is a true original in that it tells us something genuinely new about the much-researched world of National Socialism and the Nazi genocide of the Jews. To be sure, age-old anti-Semitism DID play a major role in framing the Nazis' singular crime. But as Herf shows irrefutably, the REAL reason for the Nazis' decision to commit what has come to be known as the Holocaust and/or the Shoah, had less to do with their being part of a Europe-wide anti-Semitism, and everything with their viewing the Jews as their number one enemy that had to be destroyed. This is a great book. Kudos to its author.

Suggestive New Interpretations
Herf's materials are powerful and unsettling, even to readers who are well acquainted with the literature on Nazism.He shows, in detail that has not previously been seen, how the Nazi war-time hate propaganda combined verbal attacks against Jews with attacks against the Allies.To these Nazi propagandists, the Jews were the overall enemy, standing behind and stage-managing the Allies.
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Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Antisemitism    3. Europe - Germany    4. Germany    5. History    6. History - General History    7. History: World    8. Holocaust    9. Jewish - General    10. Nazi propaganda    11. Propaganda    12. World War, 1939-1945    13. European history: Second World War    14. History / Germany   

Reviews (4)

Second Jewish Book of Why
Authoritative, covers topics Jews and others would focus on, well-written.

Very good!
This is a great book. Not as goos as the first, but well worth the money.

A satisfying appetizer
Rabbi Alfred J. Kolatch, author of The Second Jewish Book of Why, has such a winning way with the written word that he has managed to turn out oneappealing book after another 34 times!The Second Jewish Book of Why ishis 26th, and five years after its publication, still available. Mycollege student nephew recommended Kolatch's `books of why,' and I pickedThe Second because the questions and answers in The First were morefamiliar.The Rabbi's second book left me feeling as if I had had a verygood appetizer, satisfying enough, but ready for more, much more. Read more

Subjects:  1. Customs and practices    2. Judaism    3. Judaism - Rituals & Practice    4. Religion - Judaism    5. Jewish studies   

Editorial Review

Claudia Roden, author of Read more

Reviews (31)

The Book of Jewish Food - an odyssay from Samarkand to New York
Even if the recipes weren't superb (which they are!) reading the history of a people through its food is totally enjoyable. I've read and reread it learning something new each time.

A Superb Story
The narrative that comprises a large amount of the book is the most fascinating informal history of the Jewish people that I have read.The old photographs alone are worth the price of the book.I have glanced at the incredible variety of recipes from all over the world and someday I may try one.A gourmet cook will have a field day.A historian will be enthralled.

Culinary exploration
This book is a history of a nation intertwined with smell and taste. As you read you can picture yourself observing themagic of the preparation of food. Wonderful.
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Subjects:  1. Cookery, Jewish    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Regional & Ethnic - Jewish & Kosher    5. Cooking / Jewish & Kosher    6. Jewish studies    7. National & regional cuisine    8. COOKING/WINE    9. Kosher   

Reviews (15)

Great Progressive resource
I got an extra copy of this book at my first meeting with the (Reform) rabbi who did my original conversion.It's really an incredible concise guidebook for establishing a Jewish home and working rituals and traditions into everyday life.Ms. Diamant doesn't operate under any assumptions about the reader's prior experience or lack thereof in living a Jewish life and maintaining a Jewish household, so there isn't any talking down to the reader nor failure to explain something due to falsely assuming this is basic knowledge to everyone.There are chapters and sections on all sorts of subjects, such as the b'rit, Kashrut, Jewish publications, what to look for in a shul, weddings, new traditions (such as marking the arrival of menopause with a special celebration, like one last special visit to the mikveh), how to decorate the home, all of the holidays, and b'nei mitzvah.Ms. Diamant explains what to do and why it is done, though she never preaches to the reader and dictates that this absolutely has to be done, and that it can only be done in this certain way, or else.She acknowledges that within liberal/progressive Judaism, there are many new traditions and ways of doing things, as well as old longstanding traditions that are still widely done, and that there is more than one right way to do these things.For example, in the section on naming a baby, she mentions that it's still common for people to name a baby after a relative, sometimes with the tenuous connection of the first initial, but doesn't say that a baby must only and always be named after a relative the way a lot of (Ashkenazic) North American Jews seem to believe.She also explains that there are multiple ways to observe the laws of Kashrut, with different levels.Some people are going to go whole hog and be glatt kosher, others will only keep kosher at home, others will keep kosher at restaurants but will eat kosher fish and things from the salad bar in non-kosher restaurants, and others will eat meat from the kosher animals (such as cows, chickens, and turkeys) but won't mind if the meat doesn't come from the kosher butcher or doesn't have a hechsher on it at the supermarket.
Limited
When reading the author's mention of driving to synagogue on Shabbat, or cooking on Friday Nights, a voice at the back of my mind told me that such a thing (breaking the Sabbath) would have been abhorrent to my ancestors and 4,000 years of Jewish tradition. Although the author's Judaism fits very well in the context of contemporary American society, for those of us interested in the Religion of our Forefathers.
GREAT BOOK
This book is incredible, leaves you always wanting more.The writing style is easy to read and this book covers anything you would need to know in a basic overall summary of jewish life and traditions.I highly recommend it to anyone wanting to get more in touch with their jewishness or anyone considering converting to judaism or interested in the hows and whys of judaism. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Customs and practices    2. Jewish way of life    3. Judaism    4. Judaism - Rituals & Practice    5. Religion    6. Religion - Judaism    7. United States    8. Jewish studies    9. Religion / Judaism / General   

Reviews (34)

The 'Angels' have come!
This remarkable play writen by the best playwrite since Shakespeare has achived not only rocking your mind with it's beautiful prose, language, and story, but also has gained the title of the most wonderufl play in modern liturature (counting plays). Its star-stricken plot will not make you put it down! It is truly wonderful.

The 'Angels' have come!
This remarkable play writen by the best playwrite since Shakespeare has achived not only rocking your mind with it's beautiful prose, language, and story, but also has gained the title of the most wonderufl play in modern liturature (counting plays). Its star-stricken plot will not make you put it down! It is truly wonderful.

I love this book!
I'm a college student majoring in Theater Design.I had to read this play for one of my classes my freshman year.So I sat down expecting to plod through a story that I'd never read again.Boy was I shocked!I loved it!I couldn't put it down until I'd read the last page, and then I got right online and ordered the sequel.Honestly, I'm not as big a fan of the second book.I haven't read it in a while, but from what I remember it's more offensive, and honestly, a little more like smut.There's an angel with 7 vaginas and it has sex with one of the characters...one of the gay characters..go figure.The second book also seems to take more pot shots at God, which I didn't appreciate as a Christian.Anyway.This is a review of the first book, not the second.(just reminding myself!)I have 7 big bookcases of books at my parents' house, plus my dad is a librarian, so I do a LOT of reading.This book is ALWAYS one of the few "Chosen" books that I take to college with me to keep in my dorm.And just as a side note, I'm not gay, so this book is NOT just for gay people like some of the people whom I've talked to seem to think.BUY IT! You'll be enlightened and inspired to think. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American    2. Cohn, Roy M    3. Cohn, Roy M.    4. Drama    5. Gay    6. Gay men    7. General    8. Jewish - General    9. Plays    10. Plays / Drama    11. Drama / General   

Editorial Review

"One day, in July 1941, half of the population of a small east European town murdered the other half--some 1,600 men, women and children." This short sentence summarizes the subject of Read more

Reviews (59)

Parallels with Iraq?
I read this book a oouple of years ago, and haven't stopped thinking of it as secretarian violence in Iraq intensifies and our efforts to deomocratize that country seem obviously futile. I remember that the author sought to understand how people who previously lived in peaceful coexistence with the Jews in thisPolish town, could turn on their neighbors with such viciousness and evil. Arn't we seeing the same phenomenon occur in Iraq and the Shiites, Sunni, and Kurds inflict such horrific violence against each other? I think the author's only explanation for the violence was that when a nation's people are repressed for decades, and their personal freedoms sacrificed in an unjust society, that violence and hatred can intensity once some restraints are lifted and the "genie is out of the bottle". Is it possible that the violence we are seeing in Iraq is partly a symptom of the severe repression the Iraqi people suffered under Saddam Hussein? And didn't we see the same sort of phenomenon occur in South Africa and Bosnia during the last part of the 20th Century? Doesn't this have lessons for America the next time it contemplates "liberating" by force a country with a history of repression and tyranny?

Truly shocking but...
"He was cringing, fighting the straps with amazing strength. His hands turned red and then white and the cords of the neck stood out like steel bands. The force of the electrical current was so powerful that his eyeballs popped out and rested on cheeks.Finally, he caught the fire. His brain was boiling."
Interesting & Disturbing
This is the second of the set of books that my dad's secretary's daughter lent us ~~ and it's sad and confusing to read. In some ways, it's a muddled reading since the author was definitely not organized in his thoughts as he wrote out his arguments. He jumped back and forth between too many theories and too many documents. Maybe it's the way the translator translated it ~~ but it was a difficult read at best.
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Subjects:  1. Collaborationists    2. Eastern Europe - Poland    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History: World    6. Holocaust    7. Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)    8. Jedwabne    9. Jewish - General    10. Jews    11. Poland    12. World War, 1939-1945    13. History / Jewish   

Editorial Review

Although most libraries now contain many shelves of books describing various aspects of the Holocaust, comprehensive one-volume histories or reference books on the subject are rare. Thus, Read more

Reviews (3)

Loaded with useful and educational information
This book is a must for World War II aficionados and scholars alike. It certainly is worthy of the title "encyclopedia," as it contains just about every known figure on both sides of the Holocaust. I highly recommend getting the book, no matter your expertise level. It's a great teaching tool for beginners who want to learn the ABCs of what happend and why, and it's a great reference book for scholars who want to learn intimate, small and minute details about one of the worst tragedies mankind has ever known. Well worth the money.

Not sure how helpful this is but its packed full o' info.
Its about time a Holocaust Encyclopedia appeared on the shelves.This wonderful volume includes refferences to everything you could ever possibly want to know about the holocaust.This 800 page volume contains many useful maps and pictures which will be helpful.Coverage is well done.Their is some question as to the accuracy of the entry detailing the rvolt at Auschwitz as various sources("Anatomy of a death Camp') have put the number of Germans killed at 4 or 5 while 'Doctors Eyewitness account' put the numbers at as many as 100.Clearly something is missing.THe SS kept such extensive records of the numbers of Jews they killed one would think that someone could unearth the number of SS killed/hospitalized after the crematorium revolt. Comprehensive & Authoritative Study On Genocide.
This is an invaluable source of reference for those interested in studying the Holocaust. It is superbly presented and extremely well written, consisting of over 800 pages & containing some 276 photographs (some previously unpublished) together with19 maps plus a full index and reference section.Read more

Subjects:  1. Encyclopedias