The Denver Jewish news., 1925-09-24
On Choosing Good Jewish Books

Since Gutenberg bcqueatled his boon TO humankind.
in the form Of the printing press the written
had to submit 'the survival the httes' The multi
dde of books printed since the press invented
forced readers 10 choose between the good and the bad
the Interesting and the unntercsting the sublime and the
trivial Since the list Of books printed gradually reached
enormous proportions. and since the individual
oned with the Impossible task of choosing. certain
and women took it upon themselves specialize in the
field Persons snt themselves up authorities books
and authors and served guides the reading public
After time, literature was divided into compartments,
and had to content themselves with being thoroughly
acquainted with limited aspects of literature
Within recent times this tendency toward selection has
expressed itself In the lists of best books"
Lubbock and Powys among the most prominent of
these authors of hundred best hooks Moreover these
opinions best books have resulted in the formation of
entire libraries such Eycrymans Loeb Classical and
Bonl and Lvcrght's Modern Library"
II is surprising, then that Jewish literature
should have the test applied to it. THE Jewish
Home Library issued 10y the Bloch Publishing Company.
is just such collection Of The best literature that has
been published in English hy and about Jews The books
Ia this library differ quite significantly from other col
lecons however The usual library comprises list Of
books which certain have spoken of very highly that
is it 10 large extent the library Of individual.
THE Jewish Home Library" has made 1t policy TO pub
ish under that head only those books that have proved
popular among great number of Jews. ''rhe Jewish
Home Library has the further virtue that 1t contains
volumes for and old Children and adults amateurs
and scholars provided for in the collection Among the
desirable additions TO this library is Nathan the
Wise by Iessng The translation. and the editing done
by DIR. George Alexander kohut have made this edition
specially valuable TO Jews In addition DIR. Kohut has
provided an introduction which includes biographical
sketch OF Leasing, critical analysis of the play and
account of the relation between Lessins and Moses
Mcndessohn.
DR.. David phipscns "Thc Jew in English Fiction"
has also been added to the jewish Home Library This
authoritative book hy recognized scholar in the field,
discusses the dramas and novels of prominent English
writer's wherein Jews play important role such Jew
of Malta" Merchant Of Venice, yanhoe' and Daniel
Deronda.'
In view of the present heated indictment and defense
of Jews and Jcwishnoss Madison C. Peters Justice
the Jew" is rcgainng Its popular exposition Of
Jewish contribution TO world civilization His book in
cuded in the Library is in addition, powerful printed
plea for justice toward the Jew.
American Jews having become more Interested in ear
y American Jewish pioneers various studies and mono
graphs hnve been published Revolutionary and Civil
War heroes and patriots. The proposed monument to
liaym solomon has not only brought the attention of
Jews Jewish achievements but has fvorably attracted
The attention Of non-Jews. This is appropriate time
therefore speak of Judah Touro Included in this
Library is Judah Touro' historical romance by Moses
Wasserman, translated from the German by Harriet w
Mayer the life story OF intense American patriot
and outstanding Jewish figure when this country still
young.
In addition To known books, the Bloch Publishing
Company has commissioned vsfrious authors compile
material interesting Jewish subjects Jewish fairy tales
legends. of Jewish life in American hsorJ
extracts of wit and wisdom from the Tamud and Jewish
holiday stories have been gathered into number Of
books The volumes in the Jewish Home Library pre
uniform as looks the list, only in binding but
in the standard they maintain.