Philosemitism: Admiration and Support in the English-Speaking World for Jews, 1840-1939 (Studies in Modern History) [Hardcover]

William D. Rubinstein (Author), W. D. Rubinstein (Author), Hilary L. Rubinstein (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1999 | Series: Studies in Modern History

This work is the first comprehensive study of philosemitism in the modern world. Philosemitism is admiration and support for Jews by non-Jews, especially during times of anti-semitic persecution. Although literally thousands of books have been written on antisemitism (including the Holocaust), only a handful have been written on philosemitism, and no other book has used original sources of a detailed and sweeping kind. This work discusses philosemitism in Britain, America, Australia and Canada during the century between the Damascus blood libel of 1840 and the Holocaust (with a further chapter on the post-1945 situation). The first part of the book examines the philosemitic responses of non-Jews, often among the most influential people of their time, to the persecution of Jews during the best-known antisemitic crises of the century from 1840 until 1945, such as the Czarist pogroms of the 1880s and the rise of Nazism. The second part of the book offers a typology of philosemitism, dividing it into liberal/progressive, Christian, Zionist, and conservative/elitist strands. The book is based almost entirely upon primary sources of the past. Philosemitism draws attention to a powerful and widespread movement which befriended the Jewish people during times of persecution, and which is all but unknown to most historians.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

'In their previous general histories of the Jewish communities of Great Britain and Australia, Bill and Hilary Rubinstein have challenged 'neo-orthadox' perceptions that antisemitism has been a key player in the progress of Jews in the English-speaking world. This new study goes a step further, the authors identifying and tracing a sturdy, far-reaching and highly visible tradition of non-Jewish support for Jews and Jewish causes, beginning with public meetings over the Damascus Affair in 1840. Meticulously researched and persuasively analysed, Philosemitism is a major and groundbreaking contribution to both the literature on post-Enlightenment antisemitsm and our knowledge of Jewish-gentile relations in the modern era.' - Malcolm J. Turnbull Australian Jewish Historical Society 'In their previous general histories of the Jewish communities of Great Britain and Australia, Bill and Hilary Rubinstein have challenged 'neo-orthodox' perceptions that antisemitism has been a key player in the progress of Jews in the English-speaking world. This new study goes a step further, the authors identifying and tracing a sturdy, far-reaching and highly visible tradition of non-Jewish support for Jews and Jewish causes, beginning with public meetings over the Damascus Affair in 1840. Meticulously researched and persuasively analysed, Philosemitism is a major and ground-breaking contribution to both the literature on post-Enlightenment antisemitism and our knowledge of Jewish-gentile relations in the modern era.' - Malcolm J. Turnbull, Australian Jewish Historical Society 'William and Hillary Rubinstein provide refreshing antidotes to many widespread beliefs about antisemitism. Anyone who believes that Jews in modern times faced universal hatred, or that protests against antisemitism by non-Jews were generally insignificant and ineffective, should read these pages. The book is filled with fascinating details - readable and thought provoking.' - Albert S. Lindemann, Professor of History, University of California 'The new book by the Rubinsteins is to be warmly welcomed by students of Jewish history and Christian-Jewish relations. Its scope is broad, the English-speaking world since the 1840's. While the emphasis here is naturally on Britain, proportionate coverage is given to the USA, and such countries as Australia are included and with the same masterly command of the sources. The Rubinsteins conclude that with the end of Jewish powerlessness and Israel reborn in 1948, antisemitism is declining so fast that the new century will not be far gone before its disappearance will be effected. That seems to good to be true, but the authors make a compelling case in a marvellously suggestive book.' - Frederick M. Schweitzer, Professor of History and Director of the Holocaust Resource Center, Manhattan College, New York, and author of Myths and Hate 'This pioneering study provides an important new perspective on the treatment of Jews in the modern world.' - Rabbi Professor Dan Cohn-Sherbok, University of Wales, Lampeter --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

WILLIAM D. RUBENSTEIN has been Professor of Modern History at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth since 1995. His recent publications include Capitalism, Culture, and Decline in Britain, 1750-1990, A History of the Jews in the English-Speaking World: Great Britain and The Myth of Rescue: Why the Democracies Could Not Have Saved More Jews from The Nazis. HILARY L. RUBENSTEIN holds a doctorate in history from the Australian National University and is a fellow of the Royal Historical Society. For several years Australian contributor to the American Jewish Year Book, she has written widely on Australian Jewry. Her publications include The Jews in Victoria: 1835-1985, Chosen: the Jews in Australia, and The Jews in Australia: a Thematic History ,Volume One. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 280 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press (July 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 031222205X
• ISBN-13: 978-0312222055
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,144,897 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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