Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Journalist Glanville brings together an impressive set of essays on antisemitism in Europe, Israel, and America. In the title piece, British journalist Daniel Trilling explores how "far-right politics is structurally incapable of cutting its links with antisemitism" and describes how conspiracy theories bind together far-right groups. In "Living with the Holocaust," historian Tom Segev tracks the legacy of the Holocaust in Israel, homing in specifically on how "manipulative statements" about it are often used for political ends, as in instances of Israeli politicians "comparing each other to Hitler." "A License to Hate" by Rabbi Jill Jacobs, meanwhile, traces the rise of anti-Jewish prejudice in America during Donald Trump's presidency, and photographer Mikołaj Grynberg's "Family Stories," translated from the Polish by Sean Gasper Bye, is a look at the cultural and political landscape in Poland: "The Polish version of 'Make America Great Again' is 'Poland Rising From its Knees.' In reality, it was Polish antisemitism that rose from its knees." The contributors bring a healthy diversity of experiences, and while Glanville acknowledges in her introduction that "the far right remains a bigger threat to Jews," the pieces, taken as a whole, transcend partisan positions for a larger look at "antisemitism's resurgence." The result is eye-opening. (Aug.)
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Review by Library Journal Review
As one essayist aptly notes, when it comes to antisemitism, Judaism is both a religion and a racial category of hate that, even if every Jew converted to Christianity, would still remain as a problem. Thus, one would be hard-pressed to find such a succinct and yet fulsome discussion on the state of antisemitism today as is found in this collection authored by historians, journalists and activists involved in documenting and counteracting deeply ingrained historical and political hatred of Jewish people. Even the vocabulary of these essays is something of a primer on trending ideas such as philosemitism and Holocaust manipulation. Furthermore, these writers are not reluctant to disparage the tin-eared rhetoric of President Trump, nor to challenge Israel itself for acting in ways towards Palestinians that eerily mimic Nazi Germany's official intolerance. But what these essays ultimately demonstrate is unwavering evidence that the white-hot maelstrom of antisemitic hatred remains alive and well. VERDICT A bold yet troubling treasure.--Sandra Collins
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Dispatches from the harrowing resurgence of global antisemitism. One theme that emerges in this well-curated collection of essays is that while antisemitism has become more visible in recent years, it has never ebbed. As Glanville writes, "the perception of Jews as a globally united group, operating clandestinely across borders, has survived as a formula to be applied in any era." Photographer and writer Mikołaj Grynberg describes how Poland's Jewish population has eroded due to pogroms, Communist-era edicts, and gag orders. It is illegal there to assert that Poland played a role in the Holocaust despite it being the site of the most infamous Nazi death camps. Writer and translator Natasha Lehrer discusses how France's culture of "universalism" provides cover for antisemitic rhetoric. Novelist Olga Grjasnowa shows the pervasiveness of antisemitism in Germany, often fobbed off on Muslim immigrants but common among native Germans as well. All of this has a long history, as Glanville discusses in an essay on "blood libel" and persistent false accusations of Jews committing murder for religious rituals. As many of the contributors note, antisemites are newly emboldened by a global wave of populism spearheaded by Donald Trump, infecting not just QAnon conspiracy theorists, but legislators in the U.S., England, and other nations. That line of demonization has a long history, as well: Activist Jill Jacobs points out that in the 1940s people spread rumors of murderous Communist Jews massing at the Mexican border. Israeli journalist Tom Segev thoughtfully explores how this shift has changed politics within and around Israel, intensifying debates over distinctions between anti-Zionism and antisemitism. The subject merits a longer, more comprehensive study, but the variety of perspectives in this slim collection captures the emotional intensity of the subject and the urgent need to address it. The other contributors are Philip Spencer and Daniel Trilling. Thoughtful considerations on the intersection of history, bigotry, folklore, and politics. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
