Antisemitism
Here and Now
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4.8 • 10 Ratings
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- $16.99
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- $16.99
Publisher Description
***2019 NATIONAL JEWISH BOOK AWARD WINNER—Jewish Education and Identity Award***
The award-winning author of The Eichmann Trial and Denial: Holocaust History on Trial gives us a penetrating and provocative analysis of the hate that will not die, focusing on its current, virulent incarnations on both the political right and left: from white supremacist demonstrators in Charlottesville, Virginia, to mainstream enablers of antisemitism such as Donald Trump and Jeremy Corbyn, to a gay pride march in Chicago that expelled a group of women for carrying a Star of David banner.
Over the last decade there has been a noticeable uptick in antisemitic rhetoric and incidents by left-wing groups targeting Jewish students and Jewish organizations on American college campuses. And the reemergence of the white nationalist movement in America, complete with Nazi slogans and imagery, has been reminiscent of the horrific fascist displays of the 1930s. Throughout Europe, Jews have been attacked by terrorists, and some have been murdered.
Where is all this hatred coming from? Is there any significant difference between left-wing and right-wing antisemitism? What role has the anti-Zionist movement played? And what can be done to combat the latest manifestations of an ancient hatred? In a series of letters to an imagined college student and imagined colleague, both of whom are perplexed by this resurgence, acclaimed historian Deborah Lipstadt gives us her own superbly reasoned, brilliantly argued, and certain to be controversial responses to these troubling questions.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Lipstadt (Beyond Belief), a professor of Jewish history at Emory, gives a thoughtful overview of and response to anti-Semitism in the West. In a series of letters addressed to an imaginary Jewish student and non-Jewish colleague, Lipstadt taxonomizes the contemporary sources of anti-Semitism (white supremacists, Holocaust deniers, "anti-Semitism enablers," and even certain parts of the left, in which hoary stereotypes of Jews as a global, cosmopolitan class circulate). Though she gives a short list of violent Islamist incidents that have caused some Jews to disguise their identities in Europe, Lipstadt spends more time reflecting on the threats to academic freedom in American universities, where critiques of Israeli policy have led to boycotts, protests, and bans of Israeli speakers. It concludes with a gentle celebration of Jewish culture and history that should hearten scholars, Jews, and anyone interested in a democratic, multicultural society. Keeping her tone measured, unaccusing, and carefully noninflammatory, Lipstadt presents an intelligent, evenhanded explanation of how Jews come under attack today for appearing white and privileged, and the book's civil conversation might well sway more readers than a ringing denunciation. Informed, historically sound, and deeply rational, Lipstadt's book offers both convincing reasons for the recent rise of anti-Semitism and apt advice to "call out and combat" it.
