The Jews of Beirut: The Rise of a Levantine Community; 1860s-1930s is the first study to investigate the emergence of an organized and vibrant Jewish community in Beirut in the late Ottoman and French period. Viewed in the context of port city revival; the author explores how and why the Jewish community changed during this time in its social cohesion; organizational structure; and ideological affiliations. Tomer Levi defines the Jewish community as a «Levantine» creation of late-nineteenth-century port city revival; characterized by cultural and social diversity; centralized administration; efficient organization; and a merchant class engaged in commerce and philanthropy. In addition; the author shows how the position of the Jewish community in the unique multi-community structure of Lebanese society affected internal developments within the Jewish community.
#1137710 in Books 2011-11-01 2011-11-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 10.33 x 1.29 x 8.26l; 2.20 #File Name: 1426208170304 pages
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. A Beautiful BookBy Emily AndersenThis elegant compilation of letters; modern commentary; and artwork beautifully depicts the life of a boy taken from childhood and thrown onto the front lines of World War II. It is a story of both loss and love; defeat and hope. "A Soldier's Sketchbook" eloquently paints; both figuratively and literally; the picture of the everyday soldier. Joseph Farris was not the numerous award-winning hero classically shown in war commentary; but rather the soldier who was just a boy from modest immigrant-parent upbringing in Everytown; USA who missed his parents and his younger brothers. As he remarks; "I entered the army a naïve young man and left a battle-hardened naïve young man." He represents both the masses and the individual in a story that touches on a personal level for every reader. With charming references of decades past and suspense as more details of the author's life are revealed upon each page turn; this is an engaging read for truly any age. The book is immensely enriched by drawings and paintings created by the author. In this; this book is unlike others of its kind; as the story of the life of Joseph Farris is illuminated before the reader with emotion that only pictures can tell. "A Soldier's Sketchbook" is an important book that I hope many will enjoy.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Exceptional Book by an Exceptional ManBy Barry J.Joe Farris has created a wonderfully engaging book: an amazing first-person account of what it was like for a naïve and idealistic young man from a small New England town to serve as a front-line soldier leading a heavy machine gun unit in World War II.Mr. Farris' book perfectly blends hundreds of letters home -- and his own personal commentary -- with the many sketches and vibrant watercolors this budding young artist made during the war. From boot camp to battlefield; from stories of friends made and friends lost; to his eventual return home; it's all here: sensitively told and engagingly illustrated.Letters that reassure his family that "everything is swell" carefully mask the relentless reality of fierce firefights; cold; rain; mud and the fog of war. What is so remarkable is the way the author's narration; letters and illustrations pull everything together. And it's fascinating to see Mr. Farris' artistic ability mature over the years of his wartime service. No surprise; then; that after the war he became a renowned cartoonist for The New Yorker Magazine and a respected and award-winning painter and illustrator."A Soldier's Sketchbook: From the Front Lines of World War II" is an exceptional book by an exceptional man. It is a book to be read; enjoyed; re-read and shared.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Great book from a soldier's perspectiveBy James D. CrabtreeThis volume looks at the soldier's life of Joseph Farris; who served in the U.S. Army as an infantry man during WWII. In addition to being an artist himself (the future cartoonist included several examples of his watercolors in this book) Farris kept many momentos of his service; such as photos and letters; and they are integrated throughout the narrative. Farris narrates the action through the contents of many of his letters and through postwar observations. Overall; this is a one-of-a-kind memoir and well worth getting if you want to know what life was like for the typical G.I. of 1944/45. Illustrated with some great maps as well; courtesy of National Geographic.
