Until 2004 and the publication of "A Short History of Boston;" there was no good short history of the city of Boston; not in print anyway. With economy and style; Dr. Robert Allison brings Boston history alive; from the Puritan theocracy of the seventeenth century to the Big Dig of the twenty-first. His book includes a wealth of illustrations; a lengthy chronology of the key events in four centuries of Boston history; and twenty short profiles of exceptional Bostonians; from founder John Winthrop to heavyweight champion John L. Sullivan; from "heretic" Anne Hutchinson to Russian-American author Mary Antin. Says the Provincetown Arts; "A first-rate short history of the city; lavishly illustrated; lovingly written; and instantly the best book of its kind."
#7471803 in Books 2002-04Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.25 x 5.50 x .75l; #File Name: 1883925355223 pages
Review
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Good for understanding the Holocaust and good for Jewish-Christian dialogueBy CustomerThe Holocaust is a very important topic to Jews and Christians; not only because of the important historical and spiritual implications; but also because it in some ways epitomizes the relationship between them. Jacques Doukhan has assembled a list of interesting essays on the topic of the holocaust in a variety of categories: (a) The roots of the Holocaust; (b) Theology after Auschwitz; (c) To be a religious person after Auschwitz; and (d) Jewish-Christian relations after Auschwitz. Each section is addressed by a balance of both Jewish and Christian writers.This book is a good example of what Jewish-Christian dialogue should be; discussions centered upon a common heritage. This is not to say that all differences are ignored; but rather the authors have tried to build upon what is common first.In general the chapters are well written and informative. The open chapter on the roots of the Holocaust is one of the book's highlights. The summary of the Church's position on the Jews and how this has influenced the people behind the Holocaust is not original; but it is one of the best concise summaries you are going to find on the topic.The biggest disappointment with the book was that the theology section was a little weak. I was really looking forward to the section on Jewish thought after the holocaust; but this was by far the weakest cheaper of the book. Some of the other chapters in the section; including one on why we should remember the Holocaust by well the -known author of "Our Father Abraham" Marvin Wilson; were helpful. I enjoyed the section by the editor; Doukhan on the; Seventh Day Adventist Church during the Holocaust; primarily because I didn't realize the horrible position that some Adventists took towards Hitler. Granted; Rome looked the other way; and the Protestants apparently never organized serious protest; but given the Messianic Jewish flavor of Adventists; one would have expected something very different. Another section on the Aqedah (the sacrifice of Isaac) was brief to the point of being cryptic. I was disappointed with it because the Aqedah is an essential topic for both Jews and Christians but it is hard to take home anything from the essay.In all this is a good book to read; particularly for Messianic preparing for events like Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance). On that note; I think Christians in general would benefit from reading this as well to see the extent of how some bad ideas from long ago were twisted and morphed into what we now call Anti-Semitism. Jews may also benefit from this book to see that the workings of lunatics like Hitler are far from Christian; and that Christianity is indeed concerned with their relationship with Judaism. There is something for everyone in this book; and if that leads people to understand the roots of Christianity better then all the more impressive this book becomes.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Remember the HorrorBy A CustomerThis book looks back at the Holocaust; urging us ever to remember and learn from it so that such an act of horror will never be repeated. It begins with a poignant comment by Jewish theologian Irving Greenberg: "We must not say anything theologically . . . that we could not say in the presence of the one million children who died." Essays by various authors are organized under four main categories: (1) The Roots of the Holocaust; (2) Theology after Auschwitz; (3) To Be a Religious Person after Auschwitz; and (4) Jewish-Christian Relations after Auschwitz. In addition to editor Jacques B. Doukhan; professor of Hebrew Language; Exegesis; and Jewish Studies at Andrews University; contributors include such people as Margarete Myers Feinstein; who teaches European and world history at Indiana University; South Bend; Gershon Greenberg; professor of philosophy and religion at American University in Washington; DC; and Marvin R. Wilson; professor of biblical and theological studies at Gordon College in Wenham; Massachusetts. Perhaps my favorite essay is that by Marvin Wilson: "Should We Put the Past Behind Us?" He recalls Steven Spielberg's plea that memory of the Holocaust not end with Schindler's List but that we continue to teach and learn from it. Other questions are also raised: "How could a plan for the destruction of the Jewish people have developed in Germany?" How do we "overcome apathy in the face of evil"? What does it mean to "love your neighbor as yourself"? Throughout the book; the reader is repeatedly asked to wrestle with many other questions; difficult memories; and challenges to act. The book is certainly worth a read.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Sobering!By Andris PeselisMany Christians aren't aware that roots for Holocaust are grown in the soil of Christian Church. Hitler alone wouldn't have been able to carry out Holocaust. History brings evidence that Church shaped hate for Jews; and provided moral justification for antisemitism.Bernhard E. Olson said: "Hitler's pogrom was but the crown and pinnacle of a ling history of hatred toward the Jew; participated in (if not initiated) by those whose duty it was to teach their children the truth of Christianity!".Holocaust made dialogue between the Jews and the Christians next to impossible. Much antisemitical rubbish in the Christian Church is still to be cleared before.This book contains an wittness of Holocaust survivor Isaac Kleimanis. He lost all his relatives in Holocaust. He survived because he was saved during II World War by two adventist women in Riga; Latvia. This practical side of Christianity left a deep impression on him and gave him hope for the future. This was the beginning of his conversion to Christianity. Now he is a retired pastor of the Seventh-day adventist church. I am familiar with him.Recommendations for this book. Five stars.
