A fascinating history of the Jews; told by a master novelist; here is Chaim Potok's fascinating; moving four thousand-year history. Recreating great historical events; exporing Jewish life in its infinite variety and in many eras and places; here is a unique work by a singular Jewish voice.
#974018 in Books 2008-11-19Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.30 x 1.20 x 5.50l; 1.10 #File Name: 0393931110256 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A must read for history buffs interested in 1790 through 1860 national political history.By Robert S. SmithOutstanding detailed survey of the evolution of democratic opposition politics from the democratic republican committees during the Washington and John Adams administrations to the formation of anti federalist Republican Party of the Jefferson and Madison administrations and through the strong populis president of the people during the Jackson administration (that!s as far as I have gotten so far.It is helpful if the reader is very familiar of the biographies of the presents before taking on this scholarly adventure.5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Superb and Detailed Survey of American Political Life from Jefferson to LincolnBy C. M MillsThe Rise of American Democracy will; hopefully; raise interest in the relatively neglected period from the inauguration of Jefferson to the election of Lincoln in 1860. Wilentz is a scholar who also knows how to write in an understandable way in which the reader can digest what he is saying.The book is divided into three parts dealing with Jeffersonian Democracy; the rise of the Jacksonian era and in the final tragic section the slow descent into the hell of Civil War.Slavery was a curse on the American political scene destroying the Whig Party and leading to the death of over 600.000 youngAmericans. The book deals in detail with all the presidential adminstrations in the period. Such fascinating politicians asJohn and John Quincy Adams; the great senators Henry Clay; JohnC. Calhoun and Daniel Webster and great leaders in the antislavery cause such as William Lloyd Garrison; the half blackFrederick Douglass and Hnery Ward Beecher stride across the many pages in this tome.Wilentz discusses literary works such as Moby Dick and Uncle Tom's Cabin and how they were influenced by the inflammatory events ensuingfrom the Truce of 1850. It is all here! The Missouri Compromise; Dred Scott Decision;Wars of 1812 and the Mexican War; the clash between urban labormovements and aristocracy; the story behind the admission of states to the Union and complex discussions of the Bank of theUnited States and economic concerns. This is a classic text which is the sine qua non for the period. It is sure to become a standard work in courses on American history. The book does asssume some basic understanding of American history; demands concentration and is often a challenge to read. The mysteries of economics is still beyond my liberal arts mind! Wilentz has marshalled all of the skills he possesses as an astutely brilliant historian. This book won the Bancroft Prize for History and will be used by this reviewer several times inthe future. A very long book of almost 900 small print pages but a greatway to understand our past. Excellent!4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Definitive history of the antebellum eraBy CJAThis is the definitive history of the critical formative period in American history in which the nation moved from its aristocratic and republican roots to more of a pure democracy. The great irony is that during this same time the South became more and more invested in its hierarchical society based on slave power.Wilentz tells the story forcefully and meticulously. He also tells it with some flair. The sketches of Clay; Jackson; Van Buren; Webster; Calhoun; and Polk are particularly compelling and interesting. You will have to be patient with the long wind-up that sets the background of the book and brings the reader up to the War of 1812. Once you get to the War of 1812; the book takes off; and the characters that pepper the history of this period come to life.Although the flyleaf compares Wilentz to Hofstadter; Wilentz lacks Hofstadter's interpretive flair and breadth of vision. He sticks to his narrative and to a handful and relatively simple but important themes. Also; Wilentz is not quite the narrative historian that David Potter and James McPherson are. Potter's "The Impending Crisis" is still the great history of the immediate antebellum era (1848-61) and James McPherson's "Battle Cry of Freedom"; which also runs from 1848 but through the end of the Civil War; is also a leading work of the period. Wilentz; however; ties the period into the context of the first half of the 18th century. His contribution in that regard is invaluable.Stick with this book despite its slow beginning and great length. It's definitely worth the effort.
