Well-documented but slow-moving second volume in Reinharz's monumental three-volume biography of Israel's first president (Chaim Weizmann: The Making of a Zionist Leader, 1985). Here, Reinharz (Modern Jewish History/Brandeis Univ.) recounts the years and negotiations that led to the Balfour Declaration of 1917 and the 1922 ratification of the British Mandate for Palestine—initial steps in the creation of Israel. Reinharz covers Weizmann's career from the beginning of WW I- -when the Zionist, an ÇmigrÇ Russian Jew then residing in Great Britain, gained considerable political influence by using his scientific expertise to invent a cheap method of making acetone for explosives—through the victorious Balfour Declaration, difficult times in settling Palestine, and the ensuing British Mandate. The author seemingly has sought out every letter, diary entry, memorandum, newspaper clipping, and speech that Weizmann wrote, received, or was mentioned in—or that pertained to a Jewish homeland—during those years. Reinharz also has assembled a vivid and historical gallery comprised of the many figures of the Zionist movement, the British government, and others who dealt with Weizmann—including British Prime Minister David Lloyd George, French Baron James de Rothschild and his wife Dorothy, and American jurist Louis Brandeis. But in his earlier pages, the author sheds little light on Weizmann's personality, other than emphasizing his perseverance; it's only in later, livelier passages describing Weizmann's travels to Israel in 1918 that the statesman's leadership, energy, eloquence, diplomacy, and affection for his wife and children become apparent. Reinharz's writing again becomes pedestrian, though, when he retells the events leading up to Weizmann's triumph in the British Mandate. Not so much compelling as admirably—perhaps definitively- -detailed. (Photographs.)
Pub Date: Jan. 1, 1993
ISBN: 0-19-507215-4
Page Count: 576
Publisher: Oxford Univ.
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 1992
BOOK REVIEW
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.
A compendium of charts, time lines, lists and illustrations to accompany study of the Bible.
This visually appealing resource provides a wide array of illustrative and textually concise references, beginning with three sets of charts covering the Bible as a whole, the Old Testament and the New Testament. These charts cover such topics as biblical weights and measures, feasts and holidays and the 12 disciples. Most of the charts use a variety of illustrative techniques to convey lessons and provide visual interest. A worthwhile example is “How We Got the Bible,” which provides a time line of translation history, comparisons of canons among faiths and portraits of important figures in biblical translation, such as Jerome and John Wycliffe. The book then presents a section of maps, followed by diagrams to conceptualize such structures as Noah’s Ark and Solomon’s Temple. Finally, a section on Christianity, cults and other religions describes key aspects of history and doctrine for certain Christian sects and other faith traditions. Overall, the authors take a traditionalist, conservative approach. For instance, they list Moses as the author of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) without making mention of claims to the contrary. When comparing various Christian sects and world religions, the emphasis is on doctrine and orthodox theology. Some chapters, however, may not completely align with the needs of Catholic and Orthodox churches. But the authors’ leanings are muted enough and do not detract from the work’s usefulness. As a resource, it’s well organized, inviting and visually stimulating. Even the most seasoned reader will learn something while browsing.
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2005
ISBN: 978-1-5963-6022-8
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
This a book of earlier, philosophical essays concerned with the essential "absurdity" of life and the concept that- to overcome the strong tendency to suicide in every thoughtful man-one must accept life on its own terms with its values of revolt, liberty and passion. A dreary thesis- derived from and distorting the beliefs of the founders of existentialism, Jaspers, Heldegger and Kierkegaard, etc., the point of view seems peculiarly outmoded. It is based on the experience of war and the resistance, liberally laced with Andre Gide's excessive intellectualism. The younger existentialists such as Sartre and Camus, with their gift for the terse novel or intense drama, seem to have omitted from their philosophy all the deep religiosity which permeates the work of the great existentialist thinkers. This contributes to a basic lack of vitality in themselves, in these essays, and ten years after the war Camus seems unaware that the life force has healed old wounds... Largely for avant garde aesthetes and his special coterie.
Pub Date: Sept. 26, 1955
ISBN: 0679733736
Page Count: 228
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: Sept. 19, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1955
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