Exploring the dynamics that drive the processes of immigrant settlement and assimilation; this fascinating book looks at whether these are solely the outcome of the temporal setting; cultural background; and the contemporaneous socio-economic and political conditions; or whether there are factors which; irrespective of the prevailing environment; are constant features in the symbiosis between the outsider and the insider. Focusing on the area of Spitalfields in East London; this volume compares and contrasts the settlement; integration and assimilation processes undergone by three different immigrant groups over a period of almost three hundred and fifty years; and assesses their relative successes and failures. The three groups examined are the Huguenots who arrived from France in the 1670s; the Eastern European Jews coming from the Russian Empire in the last third of the nineteenth century; and the Bangladeshis who began settling in Spitalfields in the early 1960s. For centuries Spitalfields in East London has been a first point of settlement for new immigrants to Britain; and its proximity to both the affluence of the City of London and the poverty of what is now the London Borough of Tower Hamlets means that it has been; and still is; an area ‘on the edge’. Concentrating on this district; this book examines at grass roots level the migrant experience and the processes by which the outsider may become the insider.
#8681409 in Books 2007-08-28 2007-08-28Format: International EditionOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.25 x 1.19 x 6.00l; 1.25 #File Name: 0712668438432 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Very interestingBy Rick TheisI'd certainly recommend this to anyone interested in ancient writings in connection with the mythology. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.31 of 35 people found the following review helpful. Less Than Convincing; But Still Useful to Some ReadersBy David E. BlairIf you wish to read four hundred pages of detailed; well worked out; and adventurous exegisis of the Old Testatment as it applies to David and Jesus as myth fulfilling figures or fantasies; this should be your cup of tea. However; with an occassional tip of the hat to other ancient Near Eastern literary sources; this is what Thompson's book boils down to. Even in his essay on "The Myth of the Dying and Rising God" where one would expect a world of pagan material; Thompson's concerns are almost exclusively centered on the exegisis of OT material.It is at this interface between OT material and the prior mythic traditions and literature of the Near East where Thompson is at his weakest. Considering his academic specialty; this is no surprise. However; his sub-title; "The Near Eastern Roots of Jesus and David;" does not read Old Testament roots. Therefore; his project is a questionable success at best for the open minded. To his credit; he never actually indicates that it his intention to disprove a historical grounding of the figures of David and Jesus. This book should be read as massive cautionary to reading too much history into the Bible.Other than general cranky dismissals of academics that do not agree with him; Thompson launches forth assuming that you; the reader; agree with his methodology and are up to assessing the validity of his exegisis. To fully assess and appreciate this work; the reader must be nearly as accomplished in OT exegetics as Thompson. That is a tall order. No alternative readings are supplied. Moments of crystal clarity are rare. Expect to put in a great deal of work for what you get. And what you get out of this book is directly dependent on the level of knowledge you bring to the task.Interestingly; as would be expected; when dealing with the New Testament; Thompson spends twice as much ink on Matthew as he does on either Mark or Luke. Material on the Gospel of John is almost entirely missing. That Matthew the most "Jewish" of the gospels is most dependent on the OT should come as no great surprise. Also; in Thompson's scheme of things; the author of this gospel would have had to be as erudite as Thompson with subtle fully formed intentions regarding the use of myth and symbol. Was this the intention of the author of this particular "good news?" With a literacy rate of three percent or less in the Ancient World; this is an exceedingly problematic intent for the author of the gospel. We are better off for having this book. The only question is; will you be better informed after reading it? This book is very heavy intellectual lifting.21 of 24 people found the following review helpful. Very interestingBy S A MoranThomas L Thompson; biblical scholar of the 'minimalist' school; here turns his attention the commonality of tropes in the stories of Jesus and David as Messiahs. Never clearly defining Jesus as never existing; he; nevertheless; raises some pertinant criticisms of the quest for a historical Jesus; arguing that the gospels are a coherent whole; that Jesus' teachings cannot be separated from the miracles etc to construct a scholars' historical version of the man from Galilee.Thompson underpins this critique by highlighting the dependence of texts on each other for tropes and metaphors; his treatment of the temple cleansing is very enlightening; how his saying conflates Isaiah and Jeremiah to contrast and show who the true pure of Israel are. He also demonstrates that the use of 'OT' texts by the gospel writers are not just for prophetic proofs of Jesus' messiahship; but to construct a theology consistent with both Judaism and other Near Eastern thought.Very insightful; and a useful book to reference whether for or against Thompson's argument.
