An investigation of Jewish identity politics and Jewish contemporary ideology using both popular culture and scholarly texts. Jewish identity is tied up with some of the most difficult and contentious issues of today. The purpose in this book is to open many of these issues up for discussion. Since Israel defines itself openly as the ‘Jewish State’; we should ask what the notions of ’Judaism’; ‘Jewishness’; ‘Jewish culture’ and ‘Jewish ideology’ stand for. Gilad examines the tribal aspects embedded in Jewish secular discourse; both Zionist and anti Zionist; the ‘holocaust religion’; the meaning of ‘history’ and ‘time’ within the Jewish political discourse; the anti-Gentile ideologies entangled within different forms of secular Jewish political discourse and even within the Jewish left. He questions what it is that leads Diaspora Jews to identify themselves with Israel and affiliate with its politics. The devastating state of our world affairs raises an immediate demand for a conceptual shift in our intellectual and philosophical attitude towards politics; identity politics and history.
#975179 in Books Osprey Publishing 2007-11-20 2007-11-20Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.47 x 2.92 x 7.29l; #File Name: 184603278464 pages
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Napoleon was too flexibleBy Michael ReeseWritten by an Englishman this book doesn't compare in detail with the book on British Napoleonic Infantry Tactics by Osprey. Covers the period but written without the detail in the other book. Suspect there may be a better source. Good illustrations of formations. OK.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy AlwaysReadingConcise but very informative.19 of 22 people found the following review helpful. French Infantry Tactics 1792-1815By K. Murphy'French Napoleonic Infantry Tactics 1792-1815' is an examination of infantry formations and fighting styles used from when France declared war on England in 1792 to Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo in 1815. But I guess you figured that much already...This title contains numerous interesting; and sometimes poorly-known details on the Napoleonic and in general French fighting styles of the era. The debates amongst the military experts of the time (such as; what should that man in the third rank do-try to fire past his comrades; run ahead or to the side and skirmish; or just hold a pike and 'hang around'?) are dealt with; although history; rather than the opinions of the author; are allowed to answer them.The first 28 pages of the book deal with a variety of subjects concisely yet also with detail. These include the roles and changing tactics of the skirmishers and 'light infantry'; the tactics (or lack thereof) of the democratic/Revolutionary armies; rectangular defensive formations designed to ward off cavalry; and some bold offensive column formations. Some of the conflicting literary works of the contemporary military thinkers are also examined.The next major section of the book; well-titled La Grande Armee; examines the battle tactics employed by Napoleon himself; particularly between 1805 and 1808. Two particular topics addressed here are those of firepower and the tactical flexibility of Napoleon's Army.The next section; titled 'The Peninsular War' is for the most part an examination of the tactics used against the Brits and Spanish 1808-14. The final section; 'Corrupt Gigantism' looks at the reforms of 1808 and the unusual dilemma of the 'overcrowded battlefield'.As with all Osprey Elite titles; this one contains eight full-color plates; which do a good job of breathing life into the text when it becomes hard to visualize. Plate 'C' illustrates the defensive square formed during the Egyptian Campaign in 1798; while Plate 'H' looks at the French deployment at Waterloo. The formations and movements of the battles of Jemappes; Wattignies; Bergen; Auerstadt; Wagram; and Sorauren are also illustrated.The plate commentary is highly detailed; one can glean at least as much useful information from it as from the main text. The book is also full of black-and-white photos and contemporary images that illustrate many of the battles; leaders; and common soldiers of the period.Overall; this Elite title is an excellent source on the infantry tactics employed by Napoleon and his contemporaries; and is a most worthy addition to Osprey's sizeable library on the topic.
