1 comments about David I: The Time of Saul's Tyranny.

1. Here, says the author, is a "devotional study of what God can do with a man who, though terribly tough and passionate, has a will set to do God's will."
   
   The first of a series, this volume describes the life of David, the shepherd-king, under King Saul. Constantly showing how believers today can meet God through this story, Keller deals with the drama and color of David's stormy relationship with Saul, his friendship with Jonathan, his love for Abigail, Nabal's widow, his interaction with the soldiers he commanded, and his respect for prophet, priest, and king in Israel.
   
   Keller's readers have learned to expect just this kind of faithfulness to the biblical record, along with the author's knowledge of the primitive setting of the Bible, and his ability to knife through pretense and self-importance with sharp spiritual perception. On every page, the reader is confronted with stark calls to obedience such as this.
   
   It was David's lot to follow Israel's first king, Saul -- a concession in governance which God allowed only at Israel's willful insistence. As Saul proved to be equally willful, Keller observes that "Sorrow up sorrow, both to ourselves, to Christ, and to others, most of us prefer to do our own thing in life, to please ourselves rather than Him."
   
   Similarly, with unblinking frankness, Keller refuses to gloss over David's lapses in courage, faith, and obedience. But he finds in the giant-killer and king-to-be a heart that could be touched by its own infirmities, repent, and search eagerly for God's renewing Spirit. As with believers today, whose lives are mixtures of darkness and light, there is hope in the story of David that we might yet be anointed for the Master's use.
   
   This is a book to be savored in quiet personal study, read for both its historical and devotional content, or used for stimulating group discussion.

1 comments about Her Works Praise Her.

1. I loved this book! Every Jewish woman (and man) and everyone interested in Jewish life in America should read it. It gives a view of American and Jewish history I had never seen before, and it is beautifully written. It is full of moving stories of real women working to build America at every period of history. I had never understood how important women have been in creating the American Jewish community. Just wonderful!

No comments about One Who Came Back: The Diary of a Jewish Survivor.

1 comments about World History Biographies: Anne Frank: The Young Writer Who Told the World Her Story (NG World History Biographies).

1. Attractively designed, this latest entry in the National Geographic World History Biographies is packed with information. Organized into brief, readable chapters, the book covers Anne's early years, her life growing up, her family's being forced into hiding at the Annex, and their discovery and deportation. It describes Anne and Margot's tragic deaths at the ages of 15 and 19 from typhoid at the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, just months before liberation. A timeline of World War II and Holocaust events runs across the bottom of many of the two-page spreads. Statistics, maps, and information are interspersed about the European Jews, their customs, beliefs and holidays. Much of the book's information is in text boxes, juxtaposed on top of other information. There are lots of black and white and color photos, some of which were taken by Otto Frank showing Anne's early life. The visual appeal of Anne's plaid diary cover is the backdrop for the table of contents and some of the pictures, including those at the end which show young would-be writers how the story of the publication of Anne's diary have resulted in subsequent play and movie adaptations, and sustained the world's continued fascination with her life. Included are a glossary, bibliography, websites, and an index. The author has also written Eleanor of Aquitaine and Mandela for this series. The narrative's casual, informal tone seems to be meant to introduce younger readers to Anne Frank's life, and sometimes clashes with the somber information and very graphic concentration camp pictures, which are more appropriate for older readers. For ages 11-14. Reviewed by Andrea Davidson

5 comments about My Tainted Blood.

1. My ten year old daughter loves this book. Its "conversational" style makes it one of our favorite books to read aloud. (Okay, I've censored a couple of phrases, but it's very kid friendly.) She identifies with the spunky and complex protagonist, and because she knows it's a fictionalized autobiography, she delights in trying to tease the strands of fiction out of the fabric of Truth, an exercise which will appeal to many adult readers as well.



2. Hubert Keuter's memoir covers a brief eighteen-month period, beginning in his l5th and and ending during his 16th year. It also coincides with the coming apart of Hitler's mad dream, so it is really two stories woven seamlessly together as Keuter, part Candide, part Reynard the Fox, dances with fearless ingenuity through the cultural minefields of a collapsing Third Reich, in which food - and the obtaining of it - become not only a driving force for survival, but also a metaphor for his skills at triumphantly outsmarting his family's adversaries.
   
   It is told against the backdrop of his mother's succinct but startlingly lucid dairy entries, which for me served as a sort of narrative base continuo for his remarkable, improvisational adventures.
   
   One of the first things one realizes is that there were lots of bizarre loopholes in the vaunted efficiency of the Nazi killing machine, and Keuter's survival as a part-Jewish child (the 'Tainted Blood' of the title) had a lot to do with being able to recognize and utilize those inconsistencies in the enforcement of the Nazi Aryan codes.
   
   
   But some of his toughest challenges come when Germany has surrendered and, one would suppose, things would get easier. In fact the opposite happens, as the country slips into the virtual anarchy of a black market economy, where Jews, ex-Nazi's, Poles, Russians, and Americans all mingle in a soupy mix of Chaplinesque comedy and intrigue, complete with a stolen Picasso, defecting Russian officers, black American soldiers....and some great recipes thrown in as well!
   
   Keuter has revisited just a tiny portion of his 78 years in this book. I certainly hope he decides to give us a few more chapters sometime soon.



3. I had a hard time imagining how the food motif could possibly be credibly combined with a story of survival in Nazi Germany, but it works! The overall deprivation and bleakness of this historical period fade into the background as young Horst, time and time again, manages to come home with the raw material not just for survival but for a feast. The combination of his lyrically described meals, his poignant romance with the talented Brigitte and the tales of masculine courage and daring are an unbeatable recipe.



4. "My Tainted Blood" is the compelling, semi-fictionalized autobiography of survival in war time and post-war Germany as a half-Jewish teenager, as he negotiated his way amidst the uncertainties that lurked with every new social encounter. Finding enough to eat was commonly a priority, a problem often solved creatively by the wiles of the writer. Hubert Kueter's story is captivating and even humerous as it moves the reader from one crisis to another in a dangerous world. Vividly presented, this story is a must for the American reader far removed from the personal everyday experiences of life in Germany during those years. Superbly told, it is a window into an extraordinary time in our recent history from the perspective of one who lived it. This is truly an important work!



5. The author grew up secretly Jewish in a Europe controlled by the Nazis. Only now, decades later, he writes about how it was for his alter ego (Horst)in this partly autobiographical story. He and his mother did finally make it to the USA after the war but by then he had grown almost to manhood. The story is a partly fictionalized window into his personality and the weird conditions of life during that time of turmoil and great personal danger. In real life, Mr. Kueter became a gourmet chef and for almost 30 years ran a restaurant in Maine specializing in continental cuisine - - an outcome foreshadowed in this tasty novel.

No comments about Theresienstadt: Hitler's Gift to the Jews.

1 comments about The Mezuzah in the Madonna's Foot: Marranos and Other Secret Jews: A Woman Discovers Her Hidden Identity.

1. Anyone interested in reading several excellent reviews of THE MEZUZAH IN THE MADONNA'S FOOT, (re-issued in 2006 by AUTHORS GUILD BACK-IN PRINT in this larger print edition, including an added photograph) will find them listed under the two (hard-cover and paperback) earlier editions above. This book is the first of Trudi Alexy's HIDDEN IDENTITIES TRILOGY, followed by THE MARRANO LEGACY, and, finally, IN SEARCH OF FORGIVENESS.

5 comments about Turbulent Souls: A Catholic Son's Return To His Jewish Family.

1. Dubner's highly interesting family history frames the tale of his own decision to "return home" to his Jewish roots, after his parents, both raised as traditional Jews, converted to Roman Catholicism in their unmarried days. His parents bring up Stephen Dubner and his siblings as deeply-devout Catholics, and all-but turn their backs on their own heritage after the time of their conversion. Dubner tells of about his life growing up attending Mass and living in suburbia in the 1960's and '70's, and about how he gradually took notice of the deep pull within him that directed him to reunite with the Jewish faith after his return to New York City following his college years in the south and elsewhere. He stresses that his return to Judaism was not a conversion, it was a restoration of who he truly always was. A uniquely interesting tale, told with honesty.



2. Fine price, treasure of a hard cover book in new condition. I could not be more pleased!



3. Turbulent Souls gives a fine account of the many journeys that took place within the Dubner Family Tree. Stephen Dubner traces his family roots which amazingly were rooted in Judaism. Its quite interesting how both of Stephen's parents became Catholics. In the case of Stephen's father, Sol(later Paul)it seemed as if he was rebelling against his overbearing father. Paul's story shows you that you cannot force feed religion into a young soul trying to emerge.

   As for Stephen's mother, Florence(later Veronica) the religious influence was fairly weak at home. Not to mention any sort of guidance as Veronica recalls rarely spending time at home during her teen years. Therefore, Veronica became a willing convert.

   Very compelling is the effects this dual conversion had upon this future couples family. In Judaism very often a period of mourning takes place and surely Paul became lost to his original family. Amazingly Paul and Veronica seemd to become perfect Catholics to the point of almost totally denying any past affiliation with their Jewish roots.

   Stephen's life goes through many turbulent periods. His exposure to the Catholic religion is a lot at first. Whereas he does not reject these teachings, over time Stephen develops other interests most notably the desire to become a musician. Like his parents, he encounters people who encourage him to explore his roots. When he finally does, Stephen becomes enamored with his family history and researches his roots to the point of exploring towns which were touched by the Holocaust.

   In spite of the difference of opinion with his mother's own spiritual path, Stephen is able to keep this relationship positive. Furthermore, he creates strong bonds with other family members both Catholic and Jewish. Whereas Stephen's articles meet with feedback both good and bad, at least our hero can say he was able to evolve spiritually while touching others along the way.

   I highly recommend this biography which interweaves the spiritual journey of a family over the course of this past century.




4. I was raised Catholic and really not happy with the Church so I was a little wary of the book when it came time to read it for my book club. I could not have been more wrong about how this book would affect me! It was absolutely wonderful. The author was able to write with detail without being long-winded. The feelings that he had about his religions/cultures, both Catholic and Jewish I could relate to by the way he wrote. With each step in his spiritual journey I felt like I was cheering him on to find out what his truth was and where he felt he belonged in his religious life. It gave me many things to ponder both from what he wrote and what he quoted from others, Jewish and Catholic. I highly reccomend this book to anyone who is unsure of their faith. It will not answer your questions, but it will help you answer them on your own. It is also a wonderful book for anyone with a strong faith of their own.



5. I have to say the main reason I bought this book was because I too am from the little town The Dubner's lived in and I remember Stephen since he was my youngest brother's age and the thing everyone knew about his family was that they were probably the most devout catholic's in our area so it was very interesting to learn of his families true roots. I had no clue of his lineage since as Steve describes our town was not very diverse for the most part it was an all white community in the middle of nowhere anyone new was noticed right away and everyone knew what everyone else was up to there is the Our Lady of Fatima church and 3 other presbyterian and episcopalian churches in the area but no temples. I had no clue until reading this book that he had such an interesting lineage and I applaud the fact that he chose to find out about and return to his heritage it took alot of courage to defy his mother on this subject!!!! I only hope that now he has found the answers he was looking for and lives a long and happy life!!!!!!

5 comments about Julius Rosenwald: The Man Who Built Sears, Roebuck And Advanced the Cause of Black Education in the American South (Philanthropic and Nonprofit Studies).

1. On page 74, this book states, ...[Sears] now sold prefabricated houses...Each piece of the house was clearly marked...The Sears houses...remained in the catalog until the late 1930s..."
   
   I can't speak to the rest of this book's accuracy as it relates to the rest of Rosenwald's fascinating life, but I am able to authoritatively say that this wee snippet about Sears Homes is NOT accurate.
   
   Sears did NOT sell prefabricated homes in the early 1900s. These houses were pre-cut, not prefabricated and lest one think I'm splitting hairs, these two terms have radically different meanings. Words *are* important.
   
   Next, each piece of the home was *not* clearly marked. More than 1/3 of Sears Homes had NO markings on the lumber. THis idea (that each piece had a mark) is another common misconception that is oft-repeated but has no basis in fact. And, the only pieces of Sears Homes that were "marked" were the framing members - and only after 1920 (or later).
   
   Last, these homes did not "remain in the catalog" until the 1930s. Sears had a page or two in their catalogs promoting their specialty catalogs, "Sears Modern Homes catalogs". Those "Sears Modern Homes catalogs" were issued semiannually until their last catalog was issued in 1940.
   
   The story of Sears is an important one and it's even more important that the facts in that story be historically accuate.
   
   Rose Thornton
   author, The Houses That Sears Built



2. This book is an in depth and intriguing study of the businessman and philanthropist, Julius Rosenwald (JR), and the early twentieth century. I congratulate Dr. Ascoli for thoroughly researching and telling JR's story. Unfortunately, until this book was published few living Americans knew of JR and his impact on American society. The reader will be amazed to learn that so many business practices that we take for granted today e.g.profit sharing were ideas of JR's and begun at Sears. In philanthropy, too, he was innovative and cleverly spread his wealth to broad elements of society while he was alive---not perpetuating it through a foundation after his death.
   The book should be required reading for MBA students, students of American history and law and those in the philanthropic and non profit studies field and everyone else will find it fascinating too.



3. An absorbing account of Julius Rosenwald's rise in the mail-order world of merchandise and the changing world of class, politics and culture. Here was a man who made millions at the turn of the 20th Century and proceeded to give it to society in areas where he felt it lacked. A must read for all of those involved with and interested in the world of philanthropy, the African-American experience and history.



4. Julius Rosenwald: The Man Who Built Sears, Roebuck And Advanced The Cause Of Black Education In The American South by Peter M. Ascoli (an academician and the grandson of Julius Rosenwald) is the definitive biography of Rosenwald, a pioneer not only in transforming Sears, Roebuck into the greatest mail-order firm in the world, but also in philanthropy. He helped build more than 5,300 schools in the American South, among other efforts to improve the lives of his fellow citizens such as the Rosenwald Fund. Exhaustively researched and packed cover to cover with minute detail, Julius Rosenwald is highly recommended reading given its author's considerable accomplishments in business and humanitarian spheres alike.



5. This is a fascinating book about a man who was a well-known business man and philanthropist in his day and is all but unheard of today. In his well-researched and interestingly written account of Julius Rosenwald, Peter Ascoli vividly portrays a man who was ambitious, idealistic, groundbreaking in many ways, and humble. While JR, as the author calls him, is known mainly for his excellent management and leadership at Sears, it was his philanthropy that made JR stand out. In these days of the super rich, business scandals such as Enron, and Warren Buffet's recent gift to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, this story of an upstanding business man with morals, and a humble philanthropist this is biography is extremely relevent, and it is a story that needed to be told.

4 comments about The Promised Land (Penguin Classics).

1. I remember reading this work years ago in connection with the study I was then making of American Jewish Literature. My impression was much that of another Amazon reader. It is at times a vivid account of a new immigrant experience, but the tale is not told with the deepest intensity of feeling. It may be unfair but the comparison which comes to mind is with Henry Roth's "Call it Sleep" which is a fictional work but one which goes deep into the soul and consciousness. This work is a more externally directed narrative, and has its virtue in giving a picture of one person's move to the New World.



2. Mary Antin's experiences presumably match the experiences of many immigrants coming to America in the heady days just before the dawn of the twentienth century. The Promised Land, for that reason, holds a high degree of historical interest for anyone with a fascination for this period and the process of an immigrant's journey from their mother country to their new home. I wish I could recommend it more highly but it is written in such drippingly purple tones that at times it comes close to being cringe worthy. The author did possess a high degree of self awareness but an often low degree of awareness of others that makes her endlessly new revelations about herself seem more and more self-centred. This book is of its time with its concern for the early progessive movements' ideas about cleanliness and the prose stylings from the end of the nineteenth century. It can a little hard going but is worth the effort for a look at one woman's journey to an America that once followed the words written on the Statue of Liberty.



3. This was a very interesting account of an immigrant girl's life in America. The first half of the book is about her life in Russia and it is helpful in explaining what type of world the author came from and why America was such a new world to her. I found the factual accounts in this book fascinating but when Ms. Antin started spouting her theories about life and about herself (which she does quite a bit), she appeared to me to be tiresome and conceited. I would recommend this book because it does give an interesting perspective on the life of an immigrant, although it can get very bogged down in places.



4. It is hard to believe I never was required to read this wonderful book, and I am thankful to have discovered it as a result of reading a children's book based on it (by Rosemary Wells, also highly recommended) to my children. The circumstances of its writing are remarkable; the images luminous and the prose unbelievably beautiful for any author, especially for a recent immigrant. But it is the insight into her personality, culture and psyche which appeal to me the most. You will also like the personalities you meet through her. This book should be read by anyone who loves the English language, loves America, or just loves a window into the soul of another.