Antisemitism: A Historical Encyclopedia of Prejudice and Persecution [2 volumes]
Publishing Details
Antisemitism: A Historical Encyclopedia of Prejudice and Persecution [2 volumes]
By (Author) Richard S. Levy
Edited by Dean Phillip Bell
Edited by William Collins Donahue
Edited by Kevin Madigan
Edited by Jonathan Morse
Edited by Amy Hill Shevitz
Edited by Norman A. Stillman
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
ABC-CLIO
24th May 2005
United States
Classifications
General
Non Fiction
Ethnic studies
Social groups: religious groups and communities
History: specific events and topics
Racism and racial discrimination / Anti-racism
305.8924
Winner of 2005 Best Reference Title 2006
Physical Properties
Contains 2 hardbacks
1871g
Description
Written by top scholars in an accessible manner, this unique encyclopedia offers worldwide coverage of the origins, forms, practitioners, and effects of antisemitism, leading to the Holocaust and surviving to the present day. Antisemitism has informed the theory and practice of politics and has permeated cultures around the world. The line between anti-Jewish sentiment and other kinds of conflict is hard to define, but it is clear that the destructive nature of antisemitism has harmed the human community for two millennia. The term "antisemite" was first used to describe a politically motivated enemy of the Jews in 1879. The subject of antisemitism has often been focused on the Holocaust; however, current events and history have much to add to this discussion. For example, in 1995 a Japanese pseudo-Buddhist religious cult, imagining itself to be under attack by Jews, released sarin gas on the Tokyo subway, killing 12. From 1881 to 1900 there were 128 public accusations of Jewish "ritual murder" allegedly involving the killing of Christian children to use their blood for religious purposes. Entries in this encyclopedia span the period from ancient Egypt to the modern era. Key theoreticians of Jew-hatred and their written works, its permeation of Christianity and modern Islam, and its political, artistic, and economic manifestations are covered. This is the first comprehensive work that deals with the entire history of ideas and practices that engendered the Holocaust.
Reviews
"This encyclopedia is groundbreaking, its most notable merits being the presentation of accurate and up-to-date information in an unbiased manner. The volumes ... should be a necessary tool for journalists, politicians, and all people interested in understanding antisemitism." - Searchlight "This well-written and thoroughly researched encyclopedia should become the standard reference source in the field." - American Reference Books Annual
Author Bio
Richard S. Levy, PhD, is professor of history at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL.
