Trials of the Diaspora is a ground-breaking book that reveals the full history of anti-Semitism in England. Anthony Julius focuses on four distinct versions of English anti-Semitism. He begins with the medieval persecution of Jews, which included defamation, expropriation, and murder, and which culminated in 1290 when King Edward I expelled all the Jews from England. Turning to literary anti-Semitism, Julius shows that negative portrayals of Jews have been continuously present in English literature from the anonymous medieval ballad "Sir Hugh, or the Jew's Daughter," through Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice, to T. S. Eliot and beyond. The book then moves to a depiction of modern anti-Semitism--a pervasive but contained prejudice of insult and exclusion that was experienced by Jews during their "readmission" to England in the mid-17th century through the late 20th century. The final chapters detail the contemporary anti-Semitism that emerged in the late 1960s and the 1970s and continues to be present today. It treats Zionism and the State of Israel as illegitimate Jewish enterprises, and, in Julius's opinion, now constitutes the greatest threat to Anglo-Jewish security and morale. A penetrating and original work, Trials of the Diaspora is sure to provoke much comment and debate.
Preface
Part I: Contexts
1. Enmities
2. Defamations
Part II: Versions
3. Medieval English anti-Semitism
4. English literary anti-Semitism
5. The history of modern English anti-Semitism
6. Sentiments and ideas in modern English anti-Semitism
7. Contemporary secular anti-Zionisms
8. Contemporary confessional anti-Zionisms, and a conclusion
Notes
Index
"This is essential history, and so it is fortunate it has been written by a man with the extraordinary fluency, staggering erudition, scholarly integrity, intellectual acumen, and moral discernment of Anthony Julius." -- Philip Roth
"Once he gets to the modern era Julius writes with unrivalled authority and these chapters will be required reading for anyone interested in the subtle and often cruel ways in which anti-Jewish views have been expressed by the English in the last century, as well as the disturbing ways in which anti-Zionism has of late shaded into a new and permissible form of anti-Semitism." --James Shapiro, Financial Times
"Trials of the Diaspora is an extraordinary testament to the brilliance of its author." -- Keith Kahn-Harris, Forward
"[A] strong, somber book on an appalling subject: the long squalor of Jew-hatred in a supposedly enlightened, humane, liberal society." -- Harold Bloom, New York Times Book Review
"This is a very important book." -- Rick Richman, Commentary
"Now comes Julius's magnum opus, Trials of the Diaspora: A History of Anti-Semitism in England, just released in the United States. This large, sweeping book is more than a solidly researched and highly readable history of English anti-Semitism; it is an attempt to chart the evolution of anti-Semitism itself, to explain what it is (and what it is not), and to demonstrate how to recognize and name it." -- Jewish Ideas Daily
"Startling and riveting." -- Jeffrey Goldberg, The Atlantic
"Of all the qualities that Anthony Julius displays in Trials of the Diaspora: A History of Anti-Semitism in England- intellectual force, extensive erudition, a lucid prose style, most admirable is surely his moral fortitude." -- Adam Kirsch, Tablet
"The book can be legitimately described as a heartbreaking work of staggering genius, but without the irony that Dave Eggers has imprinted on that phrase." -- Jonathan Kirsch, The Jewish Journal
"It is incumbent on all thoughtful persons to read and take to heart the contents of this most important book." -- Aaron Howard, Jewish Herald Voice
"Indeed, his long section on British literary anti-Semitism is a small masterpiece of research, improving on his earlier study of T. S. Eliot's Judeophobia." -- Christopher Hitchens, The Atlantic
"[Julius'] new work, Trials of the Diaspora, a history of anti-Semitism in England, will wholly enhance his reputation as a leading scholar of contemporary Jewish history." --Jewish Book World
Anthony Julius is Chairman of the London Consortium, a Visiting Professor at Birkbeck College, University of London, and Vice-President of the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund. The author of several books, including
T. S. Eliot: Anti-Semitism and Literary Form, he was the defense attorney in the renowned
Irving vs. Lipstadt Holocaust denial case, and continues to be active in the fight against anti-Semitic activities.
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Distributor: Oxford University Press USA
Publication Date: 05-03-2010
Pages: 864
Measurements: 6.600in X 9.300in X 2.100in X 3.150lb
