By
– March 30, 2012
The eminent Jewish historian Howard M. Sachar has returned to his roots for his seventeenth book: a comprehensive survey of modern Jewish history. The book is both less and more than what it appears to be. At its core it is a thoroughly rewritten version of Sachar’s earlier The Course of Modern Jewish History (which first appeared in the late 1950’s). Sachar has not only added sections that bring Jewish history to the end of the 20th century, but he has revised much of his previous text in light of new scholarship. Particularly impressive is Sachar’s attempt to reintegrate the modern history of Sephardi and Latin American Jewry into the mainstream of his narrative. This is a useful book, encyclopedic in scope but easily read.
Abraham J. Edelheit is an associate professor of history at Kingsborough Community College (CUNY) and the author, co-author, or editor of eleven books on the Holocaust, Zionism, Jewish and European history, and Military affairs. His most recent publication appeared in Armor magazine, the official journal of the US Army Armor and Cavalry Command.
