Joseph Telushkin

The first chapter/question is a must read for many people. However, the rest of the book is not as intelligently laid out as promised. In addition, I found myself quickly skipping pages or even entire sections due to deep philosophical disagreements: setting aside the obvious slant of orthodox Judaism and right-wing politics (which I can appreciate even if I disagree), I could not bear to read about the moral superiority of Judaism. Is this not the stuff of wars? Can be likened to Arianism? show more Perhaps I am too liberal with my belief that no group can call oneself superior, but I do believe the authors require a lesson in humility. I would be ashamed to present this book as representative of my views show less

The first chapter/question is a must read for many people. However, the rest of the book is not as intelligently laid out as promised. In addition, I found myself quickly skipping pages or even entire sections due to deep philosophical disagreements: setting aside the obvious slant of orthodox Judaism and right-wing politics (which I can appreciate even if I disagree), I could not bear to read about the moral superiority of Judaism. Is this not the stuff of wars? Can be likened to Arianism? show more Perhaps I am too liberal with my belief that no group can call oneself superior, but I do believe the authors require a lesson in humility. I would be ashamed to present this book as representative of my views show less

I'm disappointed with this book about this remarkable and extremely influential man. I read a lot of biographies and I'm used to a certain level of objectivity that I did not find in this book. The author gives the impression of bending over backwards to make sure not to even slightly offend the Rebbe's most ardent followers. The section about the movement's messianists is particularly weak, even apologetic.
I'd recommend "The Rebbe's Army" over this book.

***.5

The authors do a good job of cutting through the various excuses and explanations for antisemitism and hone in on the somewhat obvious yet somehow controversial concept that it's based on hating Jews for being Jewish. They then dissect the various expressions of antisemitism, starting in ancient times, through the middle ages and into modernity. They break out the various sources as well, from early Christians, the Crusades, the Inquisition, Europe, the Arab world, Nazis, the USSR, etc. show more

They do a fairly good job of explaining why the current fashion of rebranding antisemitism as anti-Zionism is just a surface level deception. But they get a bit carried away in the comparisons between Israel and the United States, holding up both as shining examples of Freedom And Democracy™ and extolling the shared virtues and values of the fictitious "Judeo-Christian" culture.

They also approach politics, economics, immigration, and nationalism from an extremely conservation right-wing perspective. Thus they extend their criticism of antisemitism by some leftists and Muslims into a broad condemnation of anyone more liberal or darker of skin than Ronald Reagan. This will make many a reader question the validity of everything else that they have to say, which is unfortunate because the parts where they manage to reign in their illiberal tendencies and stick to the actual topic are actually quite good. show less