Leon (Judah Aryeh) Modena was a major intellectual figure of the early modern Italian Jewish community--a complex and intriguing personality who was famous among contemporary European Christians as well as Jews. Modena (1571-1648) produced an autobiography that documents in poignant detail the turbulent life of his family in the Jewish ghetto of Venice. The text of this work is well known to Jewish scholars but has never before been translated from the original Hebrew; except in brief excerpts. This complete translation; based on Modena's autograph manuscript; makes available in English a wealth of historical material about Jewish family life of the period; religion in daily life; the plague of 1630-1631; crime and punishment; the influence of kabbalistic mysticism; and a host of other subjects. The translator; Mark R. Cohen; and four other distinguished scholars add commentary that places the work in historical and literary context. Modena describes his fascination with the astrology and alchemy that were important parts of the Jewish and general culture of the seventeenth century. He also portrays his struggle against poverty and against compulsive gambling; which; cleverly punning on a biblical verse; he called the "sin of Judah." In addition; the book contains accounts of Modena's sorrow over his three sons: the death of the eldest from the poisonous fumes of his own alchemical laboratory; the brutal murder of the youngest; and the exile of the remaining son. The introductory essay by Mark R. Cohen and Theodore K. Rabb highlights the significance of the work for early modern Jewish and general European history. Howard E. Adelman presents an up-to-date biographical sketch of the author and points the way toward a new assessment of his place in Jewish history. Natalie Z. Davis places Modena's work in the context of European autobiography; both Christian and Jewish; and especially explores the implications of the Jewish status as outsider for the privileged exploration of the self. A set of historical notes; compiled by Howard Adelman and Benjamin C. I. Ravid; elucidates the text.
#939672 in Books Quill 1985-08-30 1985-08-30Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.25 x .82 x 6.13l; #File Name: 0688048323328 pages
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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Others authors like Charles Murray and Arthur Jensen seem to have another ...By Paul WilliamsThomas Sowell makes one of the strongest cases against blaming society at large for the outcomes of various groups. He takes the reader through history from the Germans Irish in America to the Italians in Brazil and shows how their cultural/human capital made a positive/negative impact on those countries as a whole. Group differences are just that and some groups are further behind than others. Sowell is one of the only authors I've read that tackles "differences" with such grace truth. Other authors like Charles Murray and Arthur Jensen seem to have another agenda their propagating while Sowell sticks to the facts and stresses the fact that culture not biology itself is what allows groups to succeed.Overall; politics has the power to produce programs that are relative to the politicans in power. Human capital is developed through cultural processes that aren't always at the mercy of third party politicians. Sowell also points out that throughout history where ever dominate groups gained power to discriminate they did and were quite effective. However; it was not pervasively effective in the long run. Ex. Much of the Jews wealth was confiscated by the government in Germany however they were able to produce wealth again in other countries they migrated to. Blacks were not allowed to learn how to read at one point in our country however they closed the literacy gap with two centuries.If you'd like to understand what politics can and can't accomplish and its impact on culture and economic outcomes this is an excellent read.10 of 10 people found the following review helpful. Sensible Solutions to Emotional and Difficult Racial ProblemsBy Jim FuquaThis book exudes what would be the common sense conclusions of many were the problems discussed not so emotionally charged. I strongly recommend that you read this book if you are interested in social justice. Dr. Sowell earned a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Chicago; a masters in Economics from Columbia University and a bachelors degree in Economics; magna cum laude from Harvard College. Perhaps because the subject matter is so emotionally charged; Dr. Sowell has a footnote to references for almost every factual assertion. His only conclusions with which I disagree are his views on overpopulation. He looks at overpopulation as a global issue that has economic solutions. I tend to look at overpopulation as a local issue whether it presents itself in a family with 12 children when the family could only support two or three or whether it presents itself in a country like Haiti which does not have the population density of many successful countries; but which none the less can't support its population. Dr. Sowell is probably correct that such countries could maintain their populations with sufficient human and economic capital. The problem is that they don't have what it takes to maintain existing populations and are not likely to get what it takes. Population self restraint is an unlikely but more direct solution. Probably what frustrates those who oppose Dr. Sowell's views is that his facts are well researched and the logic usually irrefutable. Sometimes the truth hurts. If there is any shortcoming in this book it is that he proposes few concrete solutions to the world problems other than suggesting that we look at what has worked for other oppressed people in the world who have succeeded. You cannot read this book without seeing dozens of solutions that are implied but not enunciated. Perhaps this was his intent. I rate this book as one of the best books that I have ever read. I am currently reading a re-release of his book "A Conflict of Visions: Ideological Origins of Political Struggles" which also exhibits a profound insight on human nature. Read this book. You may disagree with many of Dr. Sowell's views; but you will be hard pressed to find good reasons to support your disagreement. If you then want to know why you disagree; read his book A Conflict of Visions.Jim Fuqua0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy BigDiskountzGreat and insightful! Recommended!This product has my [BAD-ASS] seal of approval!
