Synopses & Reviews
In this provocative book, Marvin Perry and Frederick M. Schweitzer analyze the lies, misperceptions, and myths about Jews and Judaism that antisemites have propagated throughout the centuries. The book examines ancient and medieval myths central to the history of antisemitism: Jews as "Christ-killers," instruments of Satan, and ritual murderers of Christian children. It also explores the scapegoating of Jews in the modern world as conspirators bent on world domination; extortionists who manufactured the Holocaust as a hoax designed to gain reparation payments from Germany; and the leaders of the slave trade that put Africa in chains. No other book has focused its attention exclusively on a thematic discussion of historic and contemporary antisemitic myths, covering such an expansive scope of time, and allowing for such a painstaking level of exemplification.
Review
"...unsettling, all-too-timely survey...shows us the dangers..." Merle Rubin
Review
".unsettling, all-too-timely survey.shows us the dangers."(Merle Rubin, Los Angeles Times)
Review
"Beginning in the 1st century AD and taking us as far as the 21st, Schweitzer and Perry examine the origins, manifestations and permutations of this virulent form of hate. Solidly researched and lucidly written, their book makes for compelling, if painful reading."--
LA Times"In Anti-Semitism, a new book on an old but still germane subject, authors Marvin Perry and Frederick Schweitzer argue that anti-Semitism remains stubbornly alive because people remain stubbornly stupid. It's a thesis worth exploring."--Peter J. Pitts, Indianapolis Star
"[A] tour de force [that] follows upon the late Edward H. Flannery's groundbreaking classic, The Anguish of the Jews."--Journal of Ecumenical Studies
"Commendably, the authors, using reader-friendly language composed in captivating imagery, bring home the point that realization of anti-Semitism and its vision of apocalypse is ever present and therefore necessitates constant vigil. A wonderful read on a poignant topic. Highly recommended."--Zev Garber
"Perry and Schweitzer navigate the history of anti-Semitism with a firm hand, utilizing the latest scholarship and confronting controversial issues without fear."--Library Journal
"A richly textured, thorough, well-written and indispensable addition to the literature, one that anyone interested in the topic and related racist phenomena should not miss." --John Weiss, author of Ideology of Death: Why the Holocaust Happened in Germany
"...this is a decent and sober beginning to this regrettable history of hate...Recommended."--S.D. Benin, Choice
"...an invaluable guide through the torturous maze of myth and lies propagated by antisemites throughout the ages."-Anna Dogole, The Jewish Eye
1
"...deserves a place on your bookshelf..."--Gerard Meister, Pencil Stubs Online (www.pencilstubs.com)
"...an important contribution to the dialogue and the literature on the subject."--Chauncey Mabe, Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
"This book is timely, useful, and admirably readable. Its voice needs to be heard."--Michael R. Marrus, Chancellor Rose and Ray Wolfe Professor of Holocaust Studies and Dean of the Graduate School, University of Toronto.
". . . a remarkably timely and useful account of the history of antisemitism. . . . In spite of the thousands of books . . . on antisemitism, it is often difficult to find a book suitable for students that describes lucidly and competently antisemitic delusions and myths as both a logical absurdity and also a force that has shaped much of the history of the last two thousand years. This book qualifies in these respects unlike any book I have ever seen. I am confident that others will find it similarly useful."--Derek H. Davis, Journal of Church and State
"A substantial, comprehensive, and updated historical survey of the main antisemitic myths. . . "--Leon Volovici, Antisemitism International: An Annual Research Journal of the Vidal Sassoon International Center for the Study of Antisemitism
Synopsis
Two scholars look at the lies, misperceptions, and myths about Jews and Judaism that have been spread throughout history.
Synopsis
In this provocative book, Marvin Perry and Frederick M. Schweitzer analyze the lies, misperceptions, and myths about Jews and Judaism that anti-semites have propagated throughout the centuries. Beginning with antiquity, and continuing into the present day, the authors explore the irrational fabrications that have led to numerous acts of violence and hatred against Jews. The book examines ancient and medieval myths central to the history of anti-semitism: Jews as 'Christ-killers', instruments of Satan, and ritual murderers of Christian children. It also explores the scapegoating of Jews in the modern world as conspirators bent on world domination; extortionists who manufactured the Holocaust as a hoax designed to gain reparation payments from Germany; and the leaders of the slave trade that put Africa in chains. No other book has focused its attention exclusively on a thematic discussion of historic and contemporary anti-semitic myths, covering such an expansive scope of time, and allowing for such a painstaking level of exemplification. Anti-semitism is an essential book that will serve as a corrective to bigotry, stereotype, and historical distortion.
Synopsis
Since the 9/11/01 attacks on America, anti-Semitism has been on the rise, its roots firmly anchored in centuries-old prejudices. Schweitzer and Perry analyze the lies, misperceptions, and myths about Jews and Judaism that have been spread throughout the centuries. Beginning in antiquity and continuing into the present day, the authors explore major anti-Semitic themes: Jews as murderers of Christ; Jews as both evil capitalists and evil communists; the “myth” of the Holocaust; and the Nation of Islams hatred of the Jews. This is an eye-opening piece of work that, sadly, is still needed today.
Synopsis
Includes bibliographical references (p. [279]-301) and index.
About the Author
Frederick M. Schweitzer is Professor of History at Manhattan College in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. He is the co-editor, with Marvin Perry, of
Jewish-Christian Encounters Over the Centuries: Symbiosis, Prejudice, Holocaust, Dialogue and author of
A History of the Jews Since the First Century A.D. Marvin Perry taught history at Baruch College, City University of New York, for many years. His books include An Intellectual History of Modern Europe and Arnold Toynbee and the Western Tradition.
Table of Contents
The Trial and Death of Jesus: The Myth of "Christ Killers" and the "Criminal People" * Ritual Murderers: Christian Blood and Jewish Matzohs * The Diabolization of Jews: Demons, Conspirators, and Race Defilers * Homo Judaicus Economicus: The Jew as Shylock, Parasite and Plutocrat * Denying the Holocaust: A Neo-Nazi Mythology * Antisemitic Myths Blackwashed: The Nation of Islam Inherits a Devil * Conclusion * Appendix I: Jewish-Muslim Relations in History * Appendix II: Canada's Attempts to Curb Ernst Zündel's Antisemitic Actions as a Public Danger