People Love Dead Jews: Reports from a Haunted Present

Name: People Love Dead Jews: Reports from a Haunted Present
Price: 16.16 USD
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Rating: 4.6 (2054 reviews)

4.6 of 5 Stars: History - People Love Dead Jews: Reports from a Haunted Present

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Book Synopsis: Winner of the 2021 National Jewish Book Award for Contemporary Jewish Life and Practice Finalist for the 2021 Kirkus Prize in Nonfiction A New York Times Notable Book of the Year A Wall Street Journal, Chicago Public Library, Publishers Weekly, and Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year A startling and profound exploration of how Jewish history is exploited to comfort the living.Renowned and beloved as a prizewinning novelist, Dara Horn has also been publishing penetrating essays since she was a teenager. Often asked by major publications to write on subjects related to Jewish culture―and increasingly in response to a recent wave of deadly antisemitic attacks―Horn was troubled to realize what all of these assignments had in common: she was being asked to write about dead Jews, never about living ones. In these essays, Horn reflects on subjects as far-flung as the international veneration of Anne Frank, the mythology that Jewish family names were changed at Ellis Island, the blockbuster traveling exhibition Auschwitz, the marketing of the Jewish history of Harbin, China, and the little-known life of the "righteous Gentile" Varian Fry. Throughout, she challenges us to confront the reasons why there might be so much fascination with Jewish deaths, and so little respect for Jewish lives unfolding in the present.Horn draws upon her travels, her research, and also her own family life―trying to explain Shakespeare’s Shylock to a curious ten-year-old, her anger when swastikas are drawn on desks in her children’s school, the profound perspective offered by traditional religious practice and study―to assert the vitality, complexity, and depth of Jewish life against an antisemitism that, far from being disarmed by the mantra of "Never forget," is on the rise. As Horn explores the (not so) shocking attacks on the American Jewish community in recent years, she reveals the subtler dehumanization built into the public piety that surrounds the Jewish past―making the radical argument that the benign reverence we give to past horrors is itself a profound affront to human dignity.Now including a reading group guide.

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Experience the captivating and thought-provoking essays of Dara Horn in her remarkable book, "People Love Dead Jews: Reports from a Haunted Present" that has garnered critical acclaim. Winner of the prestigious National Jewish Book Award and a finalist for the Kirkus Prize, this book is a must-read for anyone seeking profound insights into contemporary Jewish life and practice.

Delve into the pages of this New York Times Notable Book of the Year and discover a compelling exploration of how Jewish history is exploited to comfort the living. In her captivating essays, Horn challenges the prevalent narrative that only focuses on dead Jews, urging us to shift our attention to the vibrant and meaningful lives of Jewish individuals today.

With extensive research, personal anecdotes, and a deep understanding of Jewish culture, Horn takes readers on a journey into intriguing topics. From the international fascination with Anne Frank to the myths surrounding Jewish family names at Ellis Island, "People Love Dead Jews" exposes the marketing of Jewish history in locations as unexpected as Harbin, China. It also sheds light on the overlooked stories of individuals like Varian Fry, a "righteous Gentile."

Through her introspective exploration, Horn reveals the alarming rise of antisemitic attacks and challenges the prevailing notion of "Never forget." She argues passionately for the recognition and respect of Jewish lives unfolding in the present. Drawing from her own experiences as a mother and a traveler, she emphasizes the vitality, complexity, and depth of Jewish life, countering the dehumanization that often accompanies public discussions surrounding the Jewish past.

Join the conversation and gain invaluable insights with "People Love Dead Jews: Reports from a Haunted Present." Whether you are a history enthusiast, seeking a thought-provoking read, or simply interested in understanding and confronting antisemitism, this book will captivate you from start to finish. Don't miss out on this powerful journey into Jewish culture and its relevance in the modern world.

Discover "People Love Dead Jews: Reports from a Haunted Present" today and embark on an eye-opening exploration that challenges conventional narratives.

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