This book makes accessible—for the first time in English—declassified archival documents from the former Soviet Union; rabbinic sources; and previously untranslated memoirs; illuminating everyday Jewish life as the site of interaction and negotiation among and between neighbors; society; and the Russian state; from the beginning of the nineteenth century to World War I. Focusing on religion; family; health; sexuality; work; and politics; these documents provide an intimate portrait of the rich diversity of Jewish life. By personalizing collective experience through individual life stories—reflecting not only the typical but also the extraordinary—the sources reveal the tensions and ruptures in a vanished society. An introductory survey of Russian Jewish history from the Polish partitions (1772–1795) to World War I combines with prefatory remarks; textual annotations; and a bibliography of suggested readings to provide a new perspective on the history of the Jews of Russia.
#1585224 in Books Bragg C L 2017-01-20Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.10 x .80 x 6.00l; .0 #File Name: 1611177189208 pagesMartyr of the American Revolution The Execution of Isaac Hayne South Carolinian
Review
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Must-read for American history fans....By Risa YoungThe Execution of Isaac Hayne“Had the enemy wit enough to play a generous game; we should be ruined; but with them humanity is out of the question. They will treat people with severity…till they accomplish their own destruction.†- General Francis MarionThe name “Isaac Hayne†probably doesn’t conjure up visions of heroism and heart swells of patriotism within you. In fact; I’d be surprised if you knew the name Isaac Hayne at all.Once again; local author Chip Bragg has rediscovered and illuminated another golden nugget of our national and regional history through his new book; Martyr of the American Revolution: The Execution of Isaac Hayne; South Carolinian. In it; Bragg shares the remarkable story of Hayne and his date with the gallows through the work of the near-defeated British army in Charleston.Of course; most with even an elementary knowledge of our national history know the name Nathan Hale; how he was a spy for the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War; eventually captured by the British and executed in 1776.The story of Hayne is no less stirring or significant historically. A part of South Carolina society; a strong supporter of the cause of American liberty; and through series of somewhat spiteful events (quite fueled by British frustration); Hayne was found guilty of (at best questionable) treason charges and publicly executed for his ‘crime’ on August 4; 1781.His name became a rallying cry for many southern patriots. Forced by the British to choose which side held their allegiance; Southerners that otherwise might have been loyal to King and crown were so embittered by what happened to Hayne they wholly dedicated themselves to the cause of American liberty.Hayne’s execution became one of the more well-known controversies of the Revolutionary War; written about by such historically regarded figures as “Light Horse†Harry Lee and William Moultrie. So; the question must be asked – how is it that a name as clearly historically significant could be so relegated to obscurity?Bragg delves deeply into this question. Basically; his legacy was steamrolled by what can only be described as a ‘northern’ form of selective memory.When most Americans are asked about their knowledge of the Revolutionary War; images of George Washington crossing the Delaware come up. Everyone knows about Valley Forge; or Yorktown. But how many Americans know about King’s Mountain; or Cowpens?And if someone associated with the near miracle of the Revolution could be identified as its martyr; most would go straight to Hale; who uttered his famous quote “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country†on the gallows.As Bragg mentions in the book; a review of the history in question shows that the north and south saw the Revolution through two very regionally colored sets of glasses. When you think of the bitter regional divide regarding states’ rights and slavery that grew in the decades following American independence; it’s easy to see how even historians themselves saw the events of the Revolution quite differently.And; to be sure; after the War for Southern Independence ended; the northern view of the narrative became even more prominent; as almost all of the publishing houses were located there. So; interestingly enough; by winning the Civil War; the north not only got to write the history of that war but also essentially took control of the eventual view of the Revolution as well.A colonel in the South Carolina militia; Hayne was taken prisoner in Charles Town. British Gen. Clinton; threatened confiscation of all property of all who continued to resist the Crown; but offered full pardons to all who would return their allegiance excepting those who had executed loyal subjects.Hayne returned home under the terms of parole only to be approached by a Tory neighbor; Colonel Robert Ballingall; with orders to return to Charles Town as a prisoner or to swear allegiance to the Crown. His wife and children sick with smallpox; Hayne felt he had no choice but to agree with the British demands. He signed an agreement that he would act as a British subject only while the British controlled the area and only as long as their protection benefited him or until the patriots regained the land.By the spring of 1781 the British were losing the war and held control of little of South Carolina other than Charles Town. Hayne believed he was no longer bound by his agreement and resumed his active efforts on behalf of the Patriot cause. He organized a new troop of militia and set about gaining supplies for his troops and the patriot supporters in the area.In July he and his men captured Gen. Andrew Williamson; an American who had gone over to the British. The British retaliated by surprising Hayne; capturing him and returning him to Charles Town where he was held until – mostly out of spite – he was ordered to be hanged as an example to others who supported the patriot cause.Bragg adds even more spice to the tale by offering the reader an in-depth look at the men who sealed Hayne’s fate; as well as the official documents associated with his story.For any real student of American history; Martyr of the American Revolution is a must-read. As with so many other things; the question “how have I never heard of this before?†will resonate in your head – and your heart.(Available from The Bookshelf and at .)
