Star-Spangled Zionism: The Untold Stories of Americanism and Zionism

(Hardback)

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This is the story of how Zionism, supported by Americanism, created a modern miracletold through the little-known stories of eight individuals who collectively changed history.

And None Shall Make Them Afraid presents eight historic figuresfour from Europe (Theodor Herzl, Chaim Weizmann, Vladimir Jabotinsky, and Abba Eban) and four from America (Louis D. Brandeis, Golda Meir, Ben Hecht, and Ron Dermer)who reflect the intellectual and social revolutions that Zionism and Americanism brought to the world.

In some cases, the stories have been forgotten; in other cases, misrepresented; in still others, not yet given their full due. But they are central to the miraculous recovery of the Jewish people in the twentieth century. Taken together, they recount both a peoples return to its place among the nations and the impact on history that a single individual can make.

More than a century ago, after studying the early Zionist texts, Brandeis concluded that Jews were the trustees of their history, charged to carry forward what others, in the past, have borne so well. The stories in this bookrecording the extraordinary efforts of extraordinary individuals that created the modern state of Israel and then sustained itreinforce Brandeiss observation for our own time.

The story of Zionism, and its interaction with Americanism, is a continuing one. This book is not only about the past, but the present and future as well.

Reviews

Rick Richman has given us atour de force which is as brilliant as it is beautiful.

Norman Podhoretz,recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom and former editor ofCommentary

And None Shall Make Them Afraidis simply a wonderful book. Rick Richmans fascinating portraits of eight extraordinary individuals present a much-needed reminder of the enormity of the Jewish accomplishments in America and Israelthe two countries where Jewish peoplehood has been most dramatically reimagined.

Daniel Gordis,author ofISRAEL: A Concise History of a Nation Reborn

Richmans mellifluous pen turns eight biographies into a mini course on the history of modern Israel while also offering a delight to read. Learn about these very different personalities born between 1860 and 1971, come away inspired by the invisible baton passed from generation to generation.

Daniel Pipes, president of the Middle East Forum

Beautifully written and assiduously researched, Rick Richmans new book makes an important contribution to our understanding of the connections between Zionism and Americanism.And None Shall Make Them Afraidcombines to great effect rich portraits of eight individuals pivotal in the history of the modernState of Israel. It adds new details and insights that will inform and engage serious scholars and lay readers alike.

Dov Waxman, Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation Chair in Israel Studies, University of California Los Angeles

Isaiah Berlin, reflecting on his time with Chaim Weizmann, said to know greatness must permanently transform our ideas of what human beings can be or do. Here are eight people who transform our ideas of what is possible; inspiring and thrilling, these stories ring with struggle, triumph, and truth.

Rabbi David Wolpe, Max Webb Senior Rabbi of Sinai Temple

In a cynical age it grows ever more important for our writers and journalists to have heroes, and its inspiring to read Rick Richmans roster of Zionist heroes inAnd None Shall Make Them Afraid.Plus, too, there are some choice scoops herein that the historians missed.

Seth Lipsky, editor of theNew York Sun

"A Zionist 'Profiles in Courage' ...a briskly written reminder... at a time when much ink is being spilled over the drift of American Jews away from Israel, Mr. Richman builds the case for a fruitful and durable connection between the Land of the Free and the Jewish homeland."

A.R. Hoffman, assistant editor of theNew York Sun

Author Bio

Rick Richman is a resident scholar at American Jewish University in Los Angeles. He has written forCommentary, Mosaic,theNew York Sun,theJewish Journal, Jewish Press, New York Post,PJ Media,and other publications, and is the author ofRacing Against History: The 1940 Campaign for a Jewish Army to Fight Hitler(Encounter Books, 2018).