Antisemitism: A Historical Encyclopedia of Prejudice and Persecution [2 Volumes]

Biographical Note:

Richard S. Levy, PhD, is professor of history at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL.

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.
The word "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.

• 650 A-Z entries by over 200 scholars from 21 countries
• Illustrations such as caricatures, political cartoons, maps, and pictures of famous antisemites and historical episodes
• Citations of recent literature that follow each entry
• Detailed index listing people, places, concepts, and events that enables users to find information about subjects not treated in dedicated articles
• Direction at the end of each entry to other articles with special relevance to the topic

"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."

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"This well-written and thoroughly researched encyclopedia should become the standard reference source in the field."

American Reference Books Annual

Review Citations:

• Library Journal 09/15/2005 pg. 89 (EAN 9781851094394, Hardcover)
• Booklist 11/01/2005 pg. 69 (EAN 9781851094394, Hardcover) - *Starred Review
• Booklist Ed Choice Reference 01/01/2006 pg. 19 (EAN 9781851094394, Hardcover)
• LJ Best Reference Sources 04/15/2006 pg. 46 (EAN 9781851094394, Hardcover)
• American Reference Bks Annual 01/01/2006 pg. 160 (EAN 9781851094394, Hardcover)
• Rec Ref Bks for Small/Med Libr 01/01/2006 pg. 75 (EAN 9781851094394, Hardcover)

Contributor Bio:Bell, Dean Phillip
Dean Phillip Bell is President/CEO and Professor of Jewish History at Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership, USA.