American Jewish History: A JPS Guide (JPS Guides) [Paperback]

Norman H. Finkelstein (Author)

Book Description

Series: JPS Guides | Publication Date: February 12, 2007

Thanks to these generous donors for making the publication of this book possible: JPS Board of Trustees .

This JPS Guide chronicles the extraordinary history of American Jewry. Finkelstein tells the dramatic 350-year story of the people and events that shaped the lives of today’s American Jews. Divided into six time periods, American Jewish History describes Jewish life from the time of the early settlers, to the period of massive immigration that flooded the cities, to the incredible growth of Jews in positions of influence in business, politics, and the arts. This is a story of a people who affected not only the lives of Jews in the U.S. today, but also the course of American history itself. There are over 70 black and white photographs, maps, and charts and more than 120 feature boxes and biographies throughout, as well as timelines, notes, a bibliography, and index. Finkelstein has made the saga of American Jewry much more than a compilation of historical facts. This is wonderfully stimulating journey—a worthwhile adventure for readers of all ages.

 

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In 2003, with the release of Guide to Jewish Women, the Jewish Publication Society launched its paperback JPS Guide series, designed for the general reader as basic introductions to topics of Jewish interest. The second volume was Guide to Jewish Traditions (2004), and this book is the third effort to provide ready access to concise and fundamental information. American Jewish history has been addressed in a number of scholarly volumes. Unlike those erudite books and in keeping with the goal of the JPS Guides, this simple primer reviews the rudimentary elements of American Jewish history. Finkelstein, a former school librarian in Brookline, Mass., who won the National Jewish Book Award for Heeding the Call, includes photos, maps, feature boxes and brief biographies throughout the text. The material is divided into six chronological chapters, beginning in the mid-1300s, with the Sephardic predecessors of the 23 settlers from Brazil who landed in New Amsterdam in 1654, and ending with a chapter on 1948 to the present. At the end of each chapter, a page is devoted to a "Timeline," identifying important events and the year in which they occurred. For students and those with limited knowledge of the subject, this book is a useful introductory guide. (Apr.)
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Review

"Both Judaic studies collections and general-interest holdings seeking an accessible, warm history of Jewish events would do well with the colorful, concise American Jewish History." -- The Midwest Book Review, June 2007

"The perfect introductory survey of American Jewish history and a core addition to personal, academic, and community library Judaic Studies and American History reference collections." -- Library Bookwatch, June 2007

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 220 pages
• Publisher: The Jewish Publication Society (February 12, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0827608101
• ISBN-13: 978-0827608108
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,451,337 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Norman H. Finkelstein is the author of eighteen nonfiction books, mainly for young readers. He recently retired as a school librarian for the Brookline (Massachusetts) Public Schools but continues into his 29th year of teaching history in the Prozdor Department of Hebrew College. Among his writing honors are two National Jewish Book Awards, the Golden Kite Honor Book Award for Nonfiction and a "highly recommended" award from the Boston Author's Club.

His interest in history and biography developed early. "I was the only kid in the sixth grade who regularly read the New York Times," he said. His books reflect an eclectic view of his world. From his love of old-time radio came Sounds in the Air: The Golden Age of Radio and from his fascination with plastics came a social and cultural history called, simple enough, Plastics. He also serves as the series editor for the Jewish Publication Society's JPS Guides.

He is married to Rosalind who he calls "my first-line editor". They have three grown children and three grandchildren. Finkelstein lives in Framingham, Massachusetts.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The perfect introductory survey, June 9, 2007

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: American Jewish History: A JPS Guide (JPS Guides) (Paperback)

Nicely illustrated with more than 70 occasional black-and-white historical photographs, maps, and charts, and laced throughout with informative sidebars, the "JPS Guide To American Jewish History" by Norman H. Finkelstein (series editor of the JPS Guides) is the story of Jewish communities and personalities in the 350-year history of North American and the 200+ history United States. From the earliest Jewish settlers on American shores, to the integration and success of Jews in American business, politics, arts, culture, entertainment, science, and more. Enhanced with the inclusion of concise biographies, timelines, notes, a bibliography, and an index, "American Jewish History is the perfect introductory survey of American Jewish history and a core addition to personal, academic, and community library Judaic Studies and American History reference collections. Also very highly recommended for the Judaic Studies reference shelf and supplemental reading lists are three other titles in the outstanding 'JPS Guides" series from the Jewish Publication Society: "JPS Guide To Jewish Traditions"; "JPS Guide To Jewish Women"; and the "JPS Dictionary Of Jewish Words".

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Provide important keys to understanding Jewish society and culture., June 9, 2007

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: American Jewish History: A JPS Guide (JPS Guides) (Paperback)

Both Judaic studies collections and general-interest holdings seeking an accessible, warm history of Jewish events would do well with the colorful, concise AMERICAN JEWISH HISTORY, which follows over three hundred years of Jewish history from the time of the earliest Jewish settlers on American shores to the presence of Jewish people in modern politics, business and arts environments. Chapters focus on specific time periods, come illustrated with black and white photos, maps and over a hundred feature boxes and biographies, and provide important keys to understanding Jewish society and culture.