This is the first complete biography of Ernst Kantorowicz (1895–1963); an influential and controversial German-American intellectual whose colorful and dramatic life intersected with many of the great events and thinkers of his time. A medieval historian whose ideas exerted an influence far beyond his field; he is most famous for two books―a notoriously nationalistic 1927 biography of the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II and The King's Two Bodies (1957); a classic study of medieval politics.Born into a wealthy Prussian-Jewish family; Kantorowicz fought on the Western Front in World War I; was wounded at Verdun; and earned an Iron Cross; later; he earned an Iron Crescent for service in Anatolia before an affair with a general’s mistress led to Kantorowicz being sent home. After the war; he fought against Poles in his native Posen; Spartacists in Berlin; and communists in Munich. An ardent German nationalist during the Weimar period; Kantorowicz became a member of the elitist Stefan George circle; which nurtured a cult of the "Secret Germany." Yet as a professor in Frankfurt after the Nazis came to power; Kantorowicz bravely spoke out against the regime before an overflowing crowd. Narrowly avoiding arrest after Kristallnacht; he fled to England and then the United States; where he joined the faculty at Berkeley; only to be fired in 1950 for refusing to sign an anticommunist “loyalty oath.†From there; he “fell up the ladder†to Princeton’s Institute for Advanced Study; where he stayed until his death.Drawing on many new sources; including numerous interviews and unpublished letters; Robert E. Lerner tells the story of a major intellectual whose life and times were as fascinating as his work.
#1222556 in Books 2013-11-03Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 10.31 x 2.38 x 7.78l; 5.43 #File Name: 069115127X1152 pages
Review
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. A welcomed addition to understanding the history of Muslim and Jewish relationsBy Edgar HopidaThis massive academic tome edited by both Muslim and Jewish academics is a welcomed addition to understanding the history of Muslim and Jewish relations. Far from a polemical or apologetic work; this text offers a nuanced; balanced and honest assessment of relations between the Muslim and Jewish communities from the advent of Islam to the contemporary times. The historical record shows that their relations were not quite a utopia; but it wasn't massive oppression or genocide either. This is a must for any person interested in the topic.4 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Very interestingBy Torbjorn TrondsenA must to understand the long lines in Jewish-Muslim Relations. It is about economic and group power more than of religions. Religions is a glue to keep the power groups together.0 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Highly recommendedBy CustomerAn amazing and comrehensive story of the relationship between two branches growing from the same root. It shows clearly that one branch (Judaism) along with Christianity developed into the 21st century while the other (Islam) remained in the dark ages. Islam must reform from within; catch up with normalcy; not exactly copying Western order of things. Just normalcy.
