ePub Lincoln and the Jews: A History by Jonathan D. Sarna; Benjamin Shapell in History

Review

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. WELL-DOCUMENTED; WELL-WRITTENBy Sharon BeverlyThis book is exceptionally well-researched and documented. It is a 'coffee-table'-sized book about the life of Abraham Lincoln; containing photos and documents you have likely never seen. Lincoln was an anomaly for his time. He developed an acceptance and appreciation for Jews early in his life and fought to change perceptions about them early in his career and in his presidency. He felt so strongly about including them that; he changed American thought of our being a 'Christian nation' to being 'one nation under God'.He studied the Old Testament and frequently quoted from it. It is believed that; the story of enslavement and the eventual Exodus is responsible for his desire to end slavery in our country and to embrace all people--whites; blacks; and Jews--as equal Americans. We think of Lincoln as the president who freed the slaves; but really; there is so much more to him and to his presidency.If you have an appreciation for (authenticated) history and good writing; you will want to read LINCOLN AND THE JEWS.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Lincoln---the Jews' Best FriendBy Bruce AltshulerIf ever the Jews had their best friend in the White House; it was surely Lincoln. While other public officials at the timeexpressed anti-Jewish sentiments; no such words were ever spoken by Lincoln. This book relatesmany little known facts about Lincoln's relationship with the Jewish community; his close friendships;his overruling of Grant's Jewish expulsion from the area of his Ohio River/Tennessee River command; a surprise revelation about the Jewish roots of John Wilkes Booth own father------ actor Junius Booth;and the devastation felt by the Jewish community in America on Lincoln's death. Lincoln set the tone for realacceptance and participation of the Jewish community in America by its President. The surprise for me wasdiscovering that one of Lincoln's photographers in Chicago; a famous Jewish photographer; Samuel Altschuler;who may have been distantly related to me; as my surname 'Altshuler' is nearly identical to Samuel's.Sarna's writing and narrative are first rate and illustrates Lincoln's concern and kindness to America's small by activeJewish community as documented thoroughly from original sources detailing almost every contact; letter and comment Lincoln ever made to and about his Jewish friends and allies during his public life.Once you read this book; I highly recommend as a follow up with Jonathan Sarna's "When General GrantExpelled the Jews."; a book which takes one from Grant's most blatant cruel Expulsion Order; to his persistent andsincere and largely successful attempts to make amends to the Jewish community after the Civil War to the extentthat most of the Jewish community ultimately forgave him for his thoughtless and cruel edict.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. FascinatingBy EshkolThis is a fantastic book that at once highlights Lincoln's personal relationships with Jews and his political acumen. The authors also place in context the emergence of Jews as political actors in the United States; the Union and Confederacy. I read the newfound emergence and expectation of rights alongside the present day fears of Grant's expulsion; the shadows of historical fear; see e.g.; the Newport leaderships initial letter to George Washington and his reply; and the tendency of some rabbinical leaders; traders and confederates to value stability and place in society over Jewish moral values. Overall; however; the mass Jewish support for freedom and Union shines through.