Picture of author.

Theodor Herzl (1860–1904)

Author of The Jewish State

53+ Works 701 Members 10 Reviews 2 Favorited

About the Author

Image credit: Image from Zionist work in Palestine (1911) edited by Israel Cohen

Works by Theodor Herzl

The Jewish State (1896) 398 copies
Old New Land (1902) 144 copies
Diaries (1956) 68 copies
Zionistische Schriften (1905) 7 copies
Theodor Herzl, excerpts from his diaries (2006) — Contributor — 6 copies
Valda skrifter 2 copies
Izbrannoe. 1 copy

Associated Works

A golden treasury of Jewish literature (1937) — Contributor — 75 copies
Theodor Herzl: A Memorial (1929) — Associated Name — 7 copies

Tagged

Common Knowledge

Canonical name
Herzl, Theodor
Other names
בנימין זאב הרצל
HERZL, Benjamin Ze'ev (birth)
HERZL, Theodor
Birthdate
1860-05-02
Date of death
1904-07-03
Burial location
Mount Herzl, Israel
Gender
male
Nationality
Hungary
Austro-Hungarian Empire
Country (for map)
Hungary
Birthplace
Pest, Hungary, Austrian Empire (since 1873 Budapest)
Place of death
Edlach, Austria, Austro-Hungarian Empire
Places of residence
Vienna, Austria
Salzburg, Austria
Paris, France
Education
University of Vienna
Occupations
Zionist
journalist
lawyer
Playwright
political activist
editor
Relationships
Vambery, Arminius (friend)
Nordau, Max (colleague)
Gaster, Moses (colleague)
Auernheimer, Raoul (cousin)
Organizations
Zionist Organization
Neue Freie Presse
Short biography
Theodor Herzl was born in Hungary to secular, German-speaking Jewish parents. He's considered the father of modern political Zionism. It is said that he was inspired by the idea when, as a journalist, he was covering the Dreyfus trial in Paris in 1894 and witnessed crowds screaming not "Death to Dreyfus," but "Death to the Jews." Another event that had a great effect on his political thought was the rise to power of the anti-Semitic demagogue Karl Lueger in Austria in 1895. It was at this time that Herzl wrote his play "The New Ghetto," showing the lack of real security and equality of even assimilated, well-to-do Viennese Jews. Herzl grew to believe that anti-Semitism could not be defeated or cured, only avoided, and that it was imperative for Jews to leave Europe and establish their own Jewish state. In 1889 he married Julie Naschauer; the couple had three children, though the union was unhappy. His most famous work, Der Judenstaat (The Jewish State) was initially published in 1896. In 1897, he organized the First Zionist Congress in Basel, Switzerland, at which he was elected President of the Zionist Organization (later renamed the World Zionist Organization). However, Herzl did not live to see the fulfillment of his ideal -- he died of heart disease at the age of 44.

Members

Reviews

This is essential reading for anyone that's interested in understanding the causes of the problems in the modern Middle East. It is the first expression of Zionism and the ideas it expresses led directly to the founding of Israel. You can see the ideological roots of the Jewish Agency, Jewish National Fund and Histadrut in this text.

That being said, it's also one of the most poorly written works I've read, though the author admits the work is repetitious and not really that great in the conclusion. The main objective, he says, was to open a conversation about the Jewish question, which he most certainly did. So, I wouldn't recommend this to anyone looking to do casual reading.… (more)
 
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SGTCat | 6 other reviews | Feb 25, 2021 |
Here lies the modern ideological origins of Zionism and Israel. Think of all the desert dwellers this tiny book has pissed off after they got hoodwinked out of their land! Shows how the power of an ethnocentric cultural mythos such as "The Promised Land" and the "Chosen People" can really unify and motivate people. Historically informative. Includes a short biography of Herzl too. Leaves little mystery as to why the Arabs still hate Israel.
 
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Chickenman | 6 other reviews | Sep 12, 2018 |
Kind of a sad book to read in the 21st century. Herzl had a really sweet vision for a peaceful, western, advanced country. The main interest in reading this is naturally comparing what he planned with what actually happened.

As a novel, I wouldn't say it's particularly well-written. If not for my interest in Herzl's opinions, there's no way I would have read it from beginning to end. Most of the plot is no more than an excuse to show what he feels can and should be done through the Zionist movement, so obviously the literary value suffers.

I'll say - if you're interested in Herzl and his original plans for Zionism - you'll probably enjoy this very much. Otherwise - I wouldn't recommend it.
… (more)
½
 
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ShaiShap | 1 other review | Aug 5, 2012 |
NO OF PAGES: 79 SUB CAT I: Israel SUB CAT II: History SUB CAT III: DESCRIPTION: This long overdue Seventh edition of "The Jewish State" comes at a time when events have not only proved the dire necessity for a Jewish State but happenings have also brought about the correctness of Herzl's prophesies as laid-down in this great classic which first set out in a detailed and precise manner showing an amazing foresight an exact plan for a Jewish State. To all, and particularly the younger generation, this basic work ought to prove itself not only of considerable interest but also of immense value serving as a guide to any independently thinking Jew. Israel Cohen's excellent and most instructive foreword to the fourth edition has been left unaltered since its contents make it an ideal guide to the idea of this book and indeed political Zionism as a whole.NOTES: Purchased at Half Price Books SUBTITLE: An Attempt at a Modern Solution of the Jewish Question… (more)
 
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BeitHallel | 6 other reviews | Feb 18, 2011 |

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Statistics

Works
53
Also by
3
Members
701
Popularity
#36,120
Rating
3.8
Reviews
10
ISBNs
106
Languages
17
Favorited
2

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