With vibrant photographs and intricate stories Scattered Among the Nations tells the story of the world’s most isolated Jewish communities in Africa; Asia; Latin America; the Former Soviet Union and the margins of Europe. Over 2;000 years ago; a shipwreck left seven Jewish couples stranded off India’s Konkan Coast; south of Bombay. Those hardy survivors stayed; built a community; and founded one of the fascinating groups described in this book—the Bene Israel of India’s Maharasthra Province. This story is unique; but it is not unusual. We have all heard the phrase “the lost tribes of Israel;†but never has the truth and wonder of the Diaspora been so lovingly and richly illustrated. To create this amazing chronicle of faith and resilience; the authors visited Jews in 30 countries across five continents; hearing origin stories and family histories that stretch back for millennia. Sixteen chapters featuring photographs and stories of the world’s most isolated Jewish communities; from: - The hills of northeastern India; on the border of Myanmar - Sub-Saharan Africa; in Ghana; on the border of Ivory Coast - The last Jewish villages in Eastern Europe and Central Asia - Jews at the heart of the Amazon - Marranos coming out of hiding in Portugal and Mexico - Jewish gauchos and ostrich barons; in the Argentine pampas and the South African veld A foreword from Tudor Parfitt; and over 500 full color photographs and illustrations accompany these beautiful stories; and many more. The culmination of 16 years of collaboration between writers and photographers; Scattered Among the Nations is a stunning work of research and storytelling; and a rich visual documentation of the planet’s most isolated and unusual Jewish communities. Above all; it is a testament to the power of the Jewish people; and the connection that binds such different groups into one great tribe.
#296685 in Books 2003-06-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.00 x .45 x 5.25l; .50 #File Name: 1630269999194 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A Book That Keeps On GivingBy terryThis book provides what good history is supposed to provide; relevance beyond its epoch. It does this subtly; because; although you would think it a narrow subject; it covers multiple years and multiple events affecting multiple characters. Thus; with that much narrative; human nature in the broadest sense is revealed as timeless in application.One topic; The Haitian Slave Revolt; related well to the "Civil War" fought 60 years after the Purchase. The Haitian Slave Revolt (Santo Domingo); must have hardened the U. S. slaveholders.Another; the Federalist revolt against Jefferson; including potential New England Secession; makes the future Abolitionists' motives and sincerity morally suspect. Lincoln's cabinet of rivals was of a DNA that itself was sympathetic to Secession; just not of the Southern Kind.Today; we are propagandized in continuum as to the need for bipartisanship. Implied within is how partisan conflict is aberrant. But; apparently our national infanthood was partisan to the point of high level dueling. Alexander Hamilton was bitterly partisan. His demise in a duel leaves counter factuals a major sport. What if?His killer; Burr; Jefferson's Vice-President; demonstrates there was even serious intra-party fanaticism. How close we might have been to a Western Confederacy we just can't know. Burr was a serious; but suspect; instigator; in part because of his unpopularity after the Hamilton incident. In a sense; we learn that there were multiple wounds suffered in the duel. But partisanship escaped without a scratch.I really enjoyed this book. I recommend it to anyone interested in U.S. History. There is much to ponder concerning the Louisiana Purchase. Yes; Jefferson deserves credit for staying the course; avoiding war. But much credit goes to the mosquitoes; the carriers of the Yellow Fever that weakened Napoleon's bargaining position; and to the Brits for focusing "Himself" on Continental conquest. We learn that The Louisiana Purchase was a close run thing; even after it was purchased.One last comment is that the author implicitly begs one to read more about Lewis and Clark. Buy the book; for it is an abundance of contemplation.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A timely history for the coming 200Th Anniversary of the Louisiana PurchaseBy Grover SmithThe Louisiana Purchase the great achievement of Jefferson's presidency . A miracle of diplomacy ; we borrow money from An English bank which was just involved in financing the British military efforts to keep American colonies part of their empire ; and whom we would shortly to go to war with again ; to buy the rights to an vast area of land from a country that we are involved in a quasi war with. This book is a short but very informative and fast moving book covering many of the reasons for the purchase and the motives of the sellers. It is like Dragnet TV series fast entertaining while giving the facts just the facts something modern historians often ignore. Hooray for The Louisiana Purchase. Timely as we are approaching the 200Th anniversary of the leap forward in manifest destiny. This is a great companion book to "The Battle of New Orleans" by Remini. This is an exciting part of the miraculous growth of the American Republic .0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Fascinating ReadBy Jeffery L. SchatzerWell written account. Fleming takes the reader inside the meandering negotiations and high flying egos surrounding the Louisiana Purchase and acquisition of Florida by the fledgling U.S. Government.
