This lively; moving narrative provides the first comprehensive account of the immigration of nearly 500;000 Soviet Jews to the US between 1967 and 1997. By weaving a wide variety of immigrant voices and photographs together with historical; journalistic; social service; and psychological studies of Soviet Jewish immigration; Annelise Orleck offers a thorough and highly readable introduction to the history; politics; and culture of this important new American population. Topics covered include the varied reasons for their exodus from the Soviet Union; their experiences in the US; the communities they have created; and the cultural problems they have encountered. Orleck dispels stereotypical notions about Soviet Jewish immigrants by exploring the tremendous social; political; and cultural diversity of the nearly half million Soviet Jews now living in the US.
#403760 in Books Allworth Press 2001-11-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x 6.50 x 6.00l; 2.60 #File Name: 1581152035768 pages
Review
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful. What a great bookBy Norcal UserWhat a great book. Its arguments reveal much about the real history of early western thought and it calls for a paradigm shift in how important aspects of intellectual and spiritual history must be viewed. Aside from the wealth of fascinating comparative analysis it offers; it lays bare our deeply rooted prejudices. This book sheds a great light on some key currents of human thought and culture.8 of 9 people found the following review helpful. Fascinating and deep insights into the cultural diffusion of philosophical ideasBy ShopperThomas McEvilley has spent the better part of a very full and fruitful lifetime developing and nurturing the ideas that are so beautifully presented in this amazing book. Trained as a Greek philologist; Dr. McEvilley (that's what I always called him when he was one of my favorite professors as an undergraduate at Rice University) is steeped in the roots of ancient Greek philosophy. He has also deeply imbibed from the ancient philosophical traditions of India. The Shape of Ancient Thought traces in exquisite detail the intricate cross-fertilizations of ancient Greek and ancient Indian philosophical schools of thought. The case is persuasively made that there were surprising and undeniable influences flowing in both directions at different times. Dr. McEvilley is perhaps the only scholar alive today competent enough and talented enough to present these insights. Without a doubt; The Shape of Ancient Thought is one of the most important and interesting books ever written. A pure joy and delight to read; with copious footnotes; to boot!5 of 6 people found the following review helpful. which is fine. I hope the author will consider making it ...By ThinkerthinkerFascinating! Left me wanting more. The book was somewhat academic; which is fine. I hope the author will consider making it more accessible to the lay-person because the subject is truly so interesting; not anything most of us grew up learning about in school; and so absolutely relevant to understanding of our origins in the West and to the development of Christianity which has shaped our world so much.
