European Jews; argues Iris Idelson-Shein; occupied a particular place in the development of modern racial discourse during the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. Simultaneously inhabitants and outsiders in Europe; considered both foreign and familiar; Jews adopted a complex perspective on otherness and race. Often themselves the objects of anthropological scrutiny; they internalized; adapted; and revised the emerging discourse of racial difference to meet their own ends.Difference of a Different Kind explores Jewish perceptions and representations of otherness during the formative period in the history of racial thought. Drawing on a wide range of sources; including philosophical and scientific works; halakhic literature; and folktales; Idelson-Shein unfolds the myriad ways in which eighteenth-century Jews imagined the "exotic Other" and how the evolving discourse of racial difference played into the construction of their own identities. Difference of a Different Kind offers an invaluable view into the ways new religious; cultural; and racial identities were imagined and formed at the outset of modernity.
#2952224 in Books University of Pennsylvania Press 2010-08-17Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.16 x 1.04 x 6.26l; 1.50 #File Name: 0812221265400 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A Majestic and Triumphant BookBy Tom LoweTo most Americans; the name Anthony Benezet means nothing. He is not mentioned in any history text books. I know. I taught American history for 34 years. Now as a history tour guide and re-enactor in Philadelphia; the study of this amazing Quaker Benezet is now a major endeavor of mine. Anthony Benezet deserves to be a household name; as this incredibly unselfish man; a French immigrant; dedicated his life and fortune to the abolition of slavery in colonial and Revolutionary Philadelphia. He opened the first American school for blacks and females; and worked endlessly; via petitioning; letter writing; visitation; research; and public speaking; to end the evils of slavery at a time when most Americans either supported it; or at least tolerated it. Maurice Jackson; the author; did a phenomenal; scholarly job in the researching and writing of this book. It is intelligently written; is extremely well-documented; and is utterly complete in its coverage of the saintly and benevolent Anthony Benezet. This book makes me much more-informed; while I relate to my history tour clients the beautiful mind of Benezet. Thank you; Mr. Jackson; for such an informative book!2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Wow!By AvidReaderThis is a fascinating; well written; extremely well researched part of American history. Long before William Lloyd Garrison raised his voice to fight slavery; Anthony Benezet was pioneering the abolitionist movement in a time when people thought he was crazy. Consider this quote from founding father Benjamin Rush who signed the Declaration of Independence---- (he was writing to Granville Sharp who would win the landmark court decision in England that as soon as a slave touched British soil they were free) "Years ago Anthony Benezet stood alone in opposing slavery; now three-fourths of Pennslyvania cry out against it."Benezet had a powerful influence on Benjamin Franklin who went from being a slaveholder to lobbying Congress to destroy it. Benezet also got the state of Pennslyvania to become the first state to abolish slavery---which was a remarkable achievement at the time. Beyond that you really feel the love Benezet had for God and for people and how he pioneered education in a time when it was heavily opposed. You'll find yourself cheering for him as he lands the groundwork for later abolitionists like William Wilberforce in England and others in America.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. A must read!By Washington; DCAfter going to Jackson's talk at Howard University; I got a copy of his book and just finished reading it. It is a gem! I cannot believe a book had not been written on the incredible Anthony Benezet before. Jackson has truly opened a chest full of treasure; that should not only impact historians or Quakers; but anyone with a deep respect for the past. I applaud Jackson for his breathtaking work and can't wait to see what will come next from him.
