The Jew Accused: Three Anti-Semitic Affairs (Dreyfus, Beilis, Frank) 1894-1915
Lindemann (history, Univ. of California-Santa Barbara) examines anti-Semitism in pre-World War I Europe and America by profiling three famous cases: the well-known Dreyfus treason affair in France, the Beilis ritual murder episode in Russia, and the Leo Frank murder case in America. All three men were unjustly accused, and anti-Semitism played a decisive role. Lindemann tries to show through a multicultural approach the common forces at work. He does not try to unearth any new primary material as such--he relies heavily on secondary sources. But he does find a way through the clouds of myth that have obscured all three cases. He is especially good at showing the mixed motives of both the accusers and the defenders. He also deftly portrays the historical background and ideological forces. This account is well written and detailed. Recommended for libraries with strong modern history or Judaica holdings. Jewish Book Club alternate.- Paul Kaplan, Dakota Cty. Lib., Eagan, Minn.Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to theHardcoveredition.