Finalist for the 2015 National Jewish Book Award--Celebrate 350 Award for American Jewish Studies Between the late 1700s and the 1920s; nearly one-third of the world’s Jews emigrated to new lands. Crossing borders and often oceans; they followed paths paved by intrepid peddlers who preceded them. This book is the first to tell the remarkable story of the Jewish men who put packs on their backs and traveled forth; house to house; farm to farm; mining camp to mining camp; to sell their goods to peoples across the world. Persistent and resourceful; these peddlers propelled a mass migration of Jewish families out of central and eastern Europe; north Africa; and the Ottoman Empire to destinations as far-flung as the United States; Great Britain; South Africa; and Latin America. Hasia Diner tells the story of millions of discontented young Jewish men who sought opportunity abroad; leaving parents; wives; and sweethearts behind. Wherever they went; they learned unfamiliar languages and customs; endured loneliness; battled the elements; and proffered goods from the metropolis to people of the hinterlands. In the Irish Midlands; the Adirondacks of New York; the mining camps of New South Wales; and so many other places; these traveling men brought change—to themselves and the families who later followed; to the women whose homes and communities they entered; and ultimately to the geography of Jewish history.
#1248385 in Books 2010-04-06Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.21 x .72 x 6.14l; .95 #File Name: 0300164068320 pages
Review
39 of 41 people found the following review helpful. A thorough "insiders" account of Islam struggling...By Roi SoleilI've read a number of books on Islam's crisis; but this is the first I've read one actually written by a Muslim. Allawi was not just an Iraqi minister; he is at least partly educated in the West and clearly a first rate intellectual in any event. Allawi delivers a balanced view of Islam's difficulties coping with the modern world; he heaps significant blame on the West for repeatedly taking advantage of weaker Muslim countries; but he also doesn't hold back on his criticisms of Islam's many problems. His bottom line is that Muslims have lost their way and the true essence of Islam; and that is individual responsibility for dedicating one's life to the foundation of the religion. Living in harmony within the community; mutual respect and modesty (men and women; inside and out); staying in touch with one's environment and actively seeking knowledge that will lead to a closer relationship with God. He argues that the West has long since lost it's soul and the corrupt/despotic regimes of most Arab countries simply ape the most vulgar and despicable elements of Western "civilization." In my mind; he lays out a compelling argument for all of us losing our way.It's truly an excellent book for anyone really interested in Islam's struggle; it's not necessarily for someone looking for a book focused on terrorists/fundamentalism/extremism. However; he does explain the the split in Islam between the Sufi and the Wahabi/Salafist extremists whom he explains have lost their way...and ability to think. The Wahabi/Salafists take every element of the Koran and Sharia as literal and are intellectually incapable of understanding nuance. Allawi argues that these extremists have no true knowledge of Islam and what it really means. It presents convincing arguments which detail Islams inability to find solutions to modern problems because there is no central authority to manage development of either Islam's interpretation/development. Shia clerics fare better than the hodge podge of Sunni clerics and self-appointed "experts" in the Taliban; al-Qaida and other gangs. He argues that the rise of the Wahabi/Salafists has actually degraded Islam because of all the pretenders issuing fatwas and continually misinterpreting Sharia and the Koran. Their focus on the ridiculous; like requiring facial hair on men; covered women; no school for girls etc...reveals their stupidity and ignorance of Islam...a religion steeped in science/math/medicine over the centuries.Excellent read for those who want to better understand what's ailing one of the world's great religions. Its also revealing for a Westerner wondering about what's ailing us as well.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Safi QuresheyBest book covering the history and current challenges of the global Muslim community!!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. I was happy with the book and it came ot in good shaorBy CustomerThe book came in good order.
