The Jews of Arab Lands in Modern Times: A History and Source Book [Hardcover]

Norman A. Stillman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1991

Norman Stillman continues the saga he so eloquently began in The Jews of Arab Lands, focusing here on the dramatic events of the twentieth century.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...an absolutely amazing historical account.... tremendous work of research and scholarship." -- Chashm Andaaz Magazine, January 2005 --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 600 pages
• Publisher: Jewish Publication Society of America (February 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0827603703
• ISBN-13: 978-0827603707
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.3 x 2.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #366,020 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A masterful account and documents, March 24, 2008

By 

Seth J. Frantzman (Jerusalem, Israel) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Jews of Arab Lands in Modern Times (Paperback)

This is one of the most important books, for it is both history and documentary, of the Jews of Arab lands in modern times. The first hundred pages are a history of Jews in the Arab world. It begins in the 7th century with the conquests of Islam and then describes the ascendancy, decline and persecutions that followed. It tells of the Sephardim and also of the persecutions by the Almohads which destroyed, albeit temporarily, North African Jewry.

The documentary history forms more then two thirds of the book and is what makes this a virtual museum to the history of these Jewish communities. It begins with the time of Mohammed and the first Jewish converts and persecutions of Jews in Arabia. Documetns show how Jiyza, the special discrimination tax that Jews were forced to pay for their `protection' to Muslim leaders. Other documents show how the Caliphs intervened in the appointment of Jewish leaders or arbitrated in disputes between karaites and Rabbinical Jews. One document from 1198 tells the story of the forced conversion of the Jews of Aden by the Muslim rulers. One document from Egypt deals with whether a Jewish female prostitute may donate money to buy a Torah scroll. The last documents are the most harrowing and deal with the coming of Europeans and Blood Libels in the late 19th century. An amazing source book and a must have for anyone interested in the true history of the Middle East, one that also deals with minorities like Jews who once were an important part of the fabric of that part of the world.

Seth J.Frantzman