In 1987; a group of Lubavitchers; one of the most orthodox and zealous of the Jewish sects; opened a kosher slaughterhouse just outside tiny Postville; Iowa (pop. 1;465). When the business became a worldwide success; Postville found itself both revived and divided. The town's initial welcome of the Jews turned into confusion; dismay; and even disgust. By 1997; the town had engineered a vote on what everyone agreed was actually a referendum: whether or not these Jews should stay.The quiet; restrained Iowans were astonished at these brash; assertive Hasidic Jews; who ignored the unwritten laws of Iowa behavior in almost every respect. The Lubavitchers; on the other hand; could not compromise with the world of Postville; their religion and their tradition quite literally forbade it. Were the Iowans prejudiced; or were the Lubavitchers simply unbearable? Award-winning journalist Stephen G. Bloom found himself with a bird's-eye view of this battle and gained a new perspective on questions that haunt America nationwide. What makes a community? How does one accept new and powerfully different traditions? Is money more important than history? In the dramatic and often poignant stories of the people of Postville - Jew and gentile; puzzled and puzzling; unyielding and unstoppable - lies a great swath of America today.
#916393 in Books 2013-10-29Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.40 x 1.10 x 5.50l; .91 #File Name: 155921399X240 pages
Review
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful. Intriguing adventuresBy Green StoneI read this book after seeing the recent film; "Galapagos Affair: Satan Came to Eden" and being very intrigued about the murder mystery that took place among the 1930's residents of this island. I read this book by Margaret Wittmer in hopes of getting insights into that mystery.An extremely obnoxious; manipulative and sadistic fake "baroness" was possibly murdered; along with one of her boyfriends. in the early 1930's on this island. There were only 7 other people living on the island at the time; and Margaret Wittmer; her husband;and her two sons; were 4 of those. The other three were Lorentz; a spurned boyfriend of the "baroness" ; and Dr. Rittner and his associate Dore Strauch. Both Margaret and Dore wrote books about their lives on the island; including their experiences of the "baroness" and her boyfriends; and each other. I had hoped to read the accounts by both women; but the book by Dore is not accessible; as it is out of print and very expensive.Reading the book didn't actually shed much light on the murder mystery....but it was fascinating to read Margaret's account of life on this remote island; a primitive life that began in tents and caves; and over the years turned into running a post office on the island.5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. The most interesting book I have read this year.By bianchiThis is the only book in years that I gave 5 stars.It was fascinating to me how this German couple settled on this small island in the with no conveniences at all. They had to learn how to do everything themselves; from finding water to making shoes. Trials and tribulations; failure and success; sickness and health. At the end they prevailed; and now their descendants are living and working on Floreana and the surrounding islands.It's a totally amazing story.Sometimes its good to have a book like this in hardcover; to more clearly see the illustrations; and go back or forth a few pages. So I am ordering it.It really is an amazing story.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Maybe it sounds a little "dry"; but this memoir is fascinating!By Cynthia R SmithBefore reading Margret Wittmer's memoir I didn't know anyone actually lived on the Galapagos Islands. She and her husband succeeded on harsh; remote Floreana where others had give up and gone back home. Her writing style is nothing special but the subject matter is extraordinary. This family went from city life in Cologne before WWII to primitive subsistence farming; while at first living in a cave where Margret delivered her first baby. Even in their remote location the family managed to meet presidents and royalty; murderers; scoundrels and lifetime friends. Despite danger and deprivation and through backbreaking work and ingenious innovations; the Wittmers grew a family and a community which thrives to this day. I thought this would be an okay read and maybe a little boring in spots; but every page was fascinating!
