Anti-Jewish pogroms rocked the Russian Empire in 1881-2; plunging both the Jewish community and the imperial authorities into crisis. Focusing on a wide range of responses to the pogroms; this book offers the most comprehensive; balanced; and complex study of the crisis to date. It presents a nuanced account of the diversity of Jewish political reactions and introduces a wealth of new sources covering Russian and other non-Jewish reactions to these events. Seeking to answer the question of what caused the pogroms' outbreak and spread; the book provides a fuller picture of how officials at every level responded to the national emergency and irrevocably lays to rest the myth that the authorities instigated or tolerated the pogroms. This is essential reading not only for Russian and Jewish historians but also for those interested in the study of ethnic violence more generally.
#1572548 in Books Thomas L Carson 2015-05-19Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.98 x 1.18 x 5.98l; 1.75 #File Name: 1107030145450 pagesLincoln s Ethics
Review
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful. Promoting justice in a broken worldBy Harry J. GenslerWas Abraham Lincoln a good person? Of course he was; we all learned that in grade school. But he's been criticized for family failings; racism; and other vices. Carson here; combining expertise in moral philosophy (his home discipline) and history; defends Lincoln as a flawed but morally very good person. The real Lincoln turns out to be more complex and interesting than what we learned about in grade school.Part One is about Lincoln's actions: did he act rightly? Some say he moved too slowly about slavery; compromised too much; and cared more about preserving the Union. But his actions were calculated to uphold public war support and prevent an independent Confederacy that would perpetuate slavery. When he later had the votes (with some requiring bribes); he brought about an anti-slavery amendment. In working to end slavery; he played the political game well.Carson defends Lincoln's actions from various moral views; including actual- and probable-consequences utilitarianism; just war theory; and the idea; roughly; that we can justly violate people's rights for a time if NOT doing so would bring a greater violation of their rights. He argues that Lincoln; in practice; was a utilitarian.Part Two is about Lincoln's character: was he virtuous? Lincoln was extraordinarily just; compassionate; courageous; independent; forgiving; hard-working; eager to learn; and so on. But he also had vices. In his early days; he often distorted opponents' views. He may have been partly to blame for bad relationships with his father and his wife. And he was guilty of having some racism (but far less than his society had). Yes; he saw slavery as evil and worked to end it. But he used derogatory racist language; hated interracial marriages; and couldn't imagine a mixed society where blacks were equals (he hoped freed slaves would go elsewhere). His thinking changed over time. At the end; he suggested giving some freed slaves the right to vote; this upset John Wilkes Booth.Lincoln took no stand on whether blacks were inferior. He criticized arguing from alleged white superiority to black slavery: "You mean the whites are intellectually the superiors of the blacks; and; therefore have the right to enslave them? Take care. By this rule; you are to be slave to the first person you meet; with an intellect superior to your own." Carson calls this argument "very sophisticated"; it forces racists to apply the same principles to themselves that they apply to others. My favorite Lincolnism is related: "As I would not be a slave; so I would not be a master." This appeals to a key part of moral thinking: to imagine the same action being done to us (e.g.; our being treated as a slave).My review is a brief summary of a complex and powerful book. I highly recommend that you read this book if you're interested in history; social philosophy; political science; or carrying on the struggle against racism.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Another book on this topic is ...By MN PhDIf you are interested in this book; be sure and also read Lincoln's Virtues: An Ethical Biography by William Lee Miller. It is superb and mines similar territory.
