In 1980; the University of Oklahoma Press published a ten-book series titled Newcomers to a New Land that described and analyzed the role of the major ethnic groups that have contributed to the history of Oklahoma. The series was part of Oklahoma Image; a project sponsored by the Oklahoma Department of Libraries and the Oklahoma Library Association and made possible by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.In response to numerous requests; the University of Oklahoma Press has reissued all ten volumes in the series. Published unaltered from the original editions; these books continue to have both historical and cultural value for reasons the series editorial committee stated as well.“Though not large in number as compared to those in some states; immigrants from various European nations left a marked impact on Oklahoma’s history. As in the larger United States; they worked in many economic and social roles that enriched the state’s life. Indians have played a crucial part in Oklahoma’s history; even to giving the state her name. Blacks and Mexicans have also fulfilled a special set of roles; and will continue to affect Oklahoma’s future. The history of each of these groups is unique; well worth remembering to both their heirs and to other people in the state and nation. Their stories come from the past; but continue on the future.â€
#1265300 in Books 2009-08-11 2009-08-11Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.00 x .60 x 5.25l; .50 #File Name: 0805242546107 pages
Review
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful. Food is Terrible - and Such Small PortionsBy Nina PMy knowledge of Judaism is modest but my emotions about it run high; so this is definitely not a scholarly review but a rather emotional one.I read the "Maimonides" book by Sherwin Nuland and "Betraying Spinoza" by Rebecca Goldstein; and thrilled with the quality of material; had high expectations for the "Rashi" book. So much so; that I practically hovered on the doorstep; waiting for the delivery.And this is what I got! This!? I tiny book; which is neither a good introduction to the whole topic; nor a treatise on one aspect of it. The book does not have any structure; but consists of free-form musings on the subject of Jewish predicament during the time of Rashi and seemingly random points about his work.To get this tiny booklet from an accomplished writer; like Mr. Wiesel; was a shock. I kept looking at the back of the book; hoping to find something more.But; outraged as I am with the flimsiness of Mr. Wiesel's oeuvre; I am also charmed with its emotional impact. The book is a love letter to Rashi and a condolence letter to the Jews that suffered so much and so often. Letters are most effective when brief.I can hear the wide-eyed boy in"Sometimes; in my small towm; it seemed to me that Rashi had been sent to earth primarily to help Jewish children overcome loneliness.And Fear."And my heart catches in pain for all those Jewish children in pre-war European towns. Which does not have much to do with Rashi but makes me want to know more about him.So the book is also a tease; in the best sense of the word. Just like Wiesel says;"...the student should withhold questions that the Teacher might not be able to answer; and then seek a new Teacher."Since my chief complaint about the book is its brevity; I am giving it 3 stars and closing with a Woody Allen joke;"uh; two elderly women are at a Catskills mountain resort; and one of 'em says; "Boy; the food at this place is really terrible." The other one says; "Yeah; I know; and such small portions." "24 of 25 people found the following review helpful. Rashi - 900 Years LaterBy William CarpenterRashi is famous for his commentary on the Talmud; the first choice of students struggling with talmudic texts for nearly 900 years. Rashi is an abbreviation for Rabbi Shlomo Yitzhak who was born in 1040 and died in 1105 in France. Elie Wiesel; famous for his writings on the Holocaust and a recipient of a Nobel Peace Prize; is descended from Rashi.In this book we get a brief biography of Rashi; a number of examples of his commentary on Genesis and other parts of the bible; and some very interesting examples of Responsa; Rashi's responses to questions sent to him from Jewish communities throughout Europe. These reveal a lot about the gentle character of this famous rabbi.The book ends with a really interesting description of how the first Crusade impacted Rashi and the Jewish communities in medieval France and Germany. The Crusades; first urged by Pope Urban II in 1095; resulted in the deaths of many Jews caught in the path of these armies. The parallels to the Holocaust in Europe in the 1940's are obvious and painful to consider.A superbly written book about a very interesting man - highly recommended!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A bit of a disappointment - this is a thin book without much depth ...By MillwoodA bit of a disappointment - this is a thin book without much depth about either Rashi or his work. A bit of what is known of his life and times and a scattering of his work - mostly on Torah rather than Talmud; and much of it not very convincing.
