Rating: Summary: Seven Score and Three Years Ago Review: First, I commend Robert Rosen for his dedication to this subject and for publishing this work. I am sure that it ought to be as controversial as recent books (and film) showing dedication of Blacks to the Southern Cause for Independence. I recall as a child watching the march on Montgomery, the seat of the first Confederate Capitol, before it was moved to Richmond. And had it remained in Montgomery, what then?Mr. Rosen, an attorney, is clear with his research. Anyone who might wonder why Jews would fight for the Confederacy, or Blacks for that matter, will find this fascinating. Jews from South Carolina, from Louisiana, many of German or Spanish (Sephardic) heritage, were there. I hope that more books, and personal accounts, will follow, from groups whose support for the rights of the States to determine their destinies will be forthcoming. We must learn from history. Anyone who would hope to understand what it means to be an American should have this book on the shelf, and read it. To paraphrase Shelby Foote, before this war, the United States could only be conceived of as a plurality, after, a singularity. Yet today, we are no doubt in danger of falling into an abyss of pluralism that threatens any kind of national identity. Yet Irishmen fought one another--at Fredericksburg, and elsewhere--as did Jews, and Blacks, and Hispanics--across stone walls at point-blank range, leaving a legacy of maiming of soul and flesh. We have only to look back 3 score years to the bloodbath of Europe to see we are not yet free. Jews fought for home and hearth, "Pro Aris et Pro Focis"--a common Latin phrase embroidered on flags North and South. In the American South, many Jews found that was worth fighting for against an invasion from afar. That experience unites them with us, today. Most highly recommended for scholarship and readability!
Rating: Summary: Seven Score and Three Years Ago Review: First, I commend Robert Rosen for his dedication to this subject and for publishing this work. I am sure that it ought to be as controversial as recent books (and film) showing dedication of Blacks to the Southern Cause for Independence. I recall as a child watching the march on Montgomery, the seat of the first Confederate Capitol, before it was moved to Richmond. And had it remained in Montgomery, what then? Mr. Rosen, an attorney, is clear with his research. Anyone who might wonder why Jews would fight for the Confederacy, or Blacks for that matter, will find this fascinating. Jews from South Carolina, from Louisiana, many of German or Spanish (Sephardic) heritage, were there. I hope that more books, and personal accounts, will follow, from groups whose support for the rights of the States to determine their destinies will be forthcoming. We must learn from history. Anyone who would hope to understand what it means to be an American should have this book on the shelf, and read it. To paraphrase Shelby Foote, before this war, the United States could only be conceived of as a plurality, after, a singularity. Yet today, we are no doubt in danger of falling into an abyss of pluralism that threatens any kind of national identity. Yet Irishmen fought one another--at Fredericksburg, and elsewhere--as did Jews, and Blacks, and Hispanics--across stone walls at point-blank range, leaving a legacy of maiming of soul and flesh. We have only to look back 3 score years to the bloodbath of Europe to see we are not yet free. Jews fought for home and hearth, "Pro Aris et Pro Focis"--a common Latin phrase embroidered on flags North and South. In the American South, many Jews found that was worth fighting for against an invasion from afar. That experience unites them with us, today. Most highly recommended for scholarship and readability!
Rating: Summary: Civil War History One Doesn't Normally Think Of. Review: I grew up, a Jew in the Northeast. I lived in a small Southern town for four years, working as a librarian. I became fascinated by what I read about Jews serving the Confederate cause. I read whatever I could get on Confederate Sec. of State Judah Benjamin. I wish Mr. Rosen had written this book 15 years ago. It is never too late, though. This book should be in every Civil War collection, Southern Genealogy and University collections, and educated American. Another look at a tragic war that nearly tore this nation apart.
Rating: Summary: Wonderful Review: In Mongtomery Alabama, the spot were Jefferson Davis took the oath of Office as President of the Conferatate States of America is marked by a star of david. This is said to reflect the mark that J.P. Benjamian made on the Confederary. Although small in numbers the Jewish poplulation of the Confederacy seems to have fully invoved in the war effor. I guess when your flighting a war of national survival you do not have any time to be anti semantic. This book is just the type of new scholarship that is needed if we are to rescue Conferate history from the P.C. types that see the Union Amry as some sort of very well armed civil right protest movment, and the nuts that march with Nazi and Confederate Battle Flags
Rating: Summary: Jam-Packed with information, but tough to read. Review: Robert N. Rosen's "The Jewish Confederates" is jam-packed with fascinating information that can't be found anywhere else, but unfortunately it is presented as an "info dump" -- a tidal wave of names and dates written with all the page-turning excitement of an accountant's spreadsheet. Rosen's lack of familiarity with some of the more basic Civil War literature also leads him to repeat, at face value, some Civil War "urban legends" as fact.
Rating: Summary: An illuminating book Review: Robert Rosen has put together a masterfully written book about a generally unknown element of Jewish and Southern history. He provides and indepth account of the contributions of Jewish soldiers and citizens to the Conferedate war effort, as well as a look into the life of Judah P. Benjamin, a Jewish senetor from Lousianna who went on to become Jefferson Davis' right hand man. Rosen also provides a description of Jewish settlement and life in the Old South, as well as a look into the relationship between Jewish and Christian Southerners. A must read for those who are interested in Jewish or Southern history.
Rating: Summary: The Jewish Confederates Review: The world is full of people who just don't get it, thanks to the ultra-leftist American media. They consider South "the land of bigotry" and portray the War Between the States, as some sort of referendum on slavery and bigotry. In their minds, the thought a Jew in a Confederate uniform is an oxymoron. Of course, the historical record is as clear as a bell-the so-called "Civil War" was a result of high tariffs and the average Southerner's fear of a new political party that sought even more "tax and spend" polices. During the antebellum times, Jews were an integral part of the South. A substantial amount of their contribution to the region is still part of the Southern landscape. When a Jewish friend of mine from the north side of Chicago recently had an opportunity to travel in the South, he was amazed to learn that the South was not the land of anti-Semitism, as the media-dominated northern urban culture had led him to believe. He was also surprised to discover how much evidence of early Jewish influence in the South still remains. Of course, I recommended that he read The Jewish Confederates to help him put it all into perspective. It really shows that many Jewish men and women were proud citizens of the Confederacy. Some of the details presented make it clear that many of these brave soldiers of the Confederacy were very serious about their faith and culture. A portion of the book that detail the way the Jewish soldiers were allowed the opportunity to celebrate their holidays was especially enlightening. It took a lot of courage on the part of Robert N. Rosen to write such a book. In a day and age when many people arrogantly display their ignorance by equating the Confederate flag with racism, Rosen should be considered national hero for having the guts to bring the world the truth. If it were up to me, Rosen's The Jewish Confederates would be required reading for any program on "multiculturalism." It would also be required reading for every liberal history professor who teaches the era of the War Between the States.
Rating: Summary: The Jewish Confederates Review: The world is full of people who just don't get it, thanks to the ultra-leftist American media. They consider South "the land of bigotry" and portray the War Between the States, as some sort of referendum on slavery and bigotry. In their minds, the thought a Jew in a Confederate uniform is an oxymoron. Of course, the historical record is as clear as a bell-the so-called "Civil War" was a result of high tariffs and the average Southerner's fear of a new political party that sought even more "tax and spend" polices. During the antebellum times, Jews were an integral part of the South. A substantial amount of their contribution to the region is still part of the Southern landscape. When a Jewish friend of mine from the north side of Chicago recently had an opportunity to travel in the South, he was amazed to learn that the South was not the land of anti-Semitism, as the media-dominated northern urban culture had led him to believe. He was also surprised to discover how much evidence of early Jewish influence in the South still remains. Of course, I recommended that he read The Jewish Confederates to help him put it all into perspective. It really shows that many Jewish men and women were proud citizens of the Confederacy. Some of the details presented make it clear that many of these brave soldiers of the Confederacy were very serious about their faith and culture. A portion of the book that detail the way the Jewish soldiers were allowed the opportunity to celebrate their holidays was especially enlightening. It took a lot of courage on the part of Robert N. Rosen to write such a book. In a day and age when many people arrogantly display their ignorance by equating the Confederate flag with racism, Rosen should be considered national hero for having the guts to bring the world the truth. If it were up to me, Rosen's The Jewish Confederates would be required reading for any program on "multiculturalism." It would also be required reading for every liberal history professor who teaches the era of the War Between the States.
Rating: Summary: A Cornerstone Book for Future Studies in this Area Review: This outstanding work is highly recommended. It shatters previous myths and misunderstandings about Jewish life in the old South and during the War for Southern Independence commonly called the "Civil War" by northern historians. Rosen has exhaustively covered the source material and brought to light information and facts that have been buried with the passage of time. This book will be the foundation starting point for any legitimate historical inquiry into this area for decades to come. The book is well printed, well illustrated, and a pleasure to behold and would make an outstanding addition to any library.
Rating: Summary: It's About Time Review: Wonderful! I'm a Southern Jewish man who's very proud of his heritage, and I used this book when I was doing research for a paper I presented in October. First, the word needs to be spread that there was a Jewish Confederacy. (When I presented, my audience seemed amazed about this. And I might add that the paper was well-received.) Second, overall, Southern Jews were not that much different from other Rebels. No, they weren't all rich boys who could buy their way out of fighting. Third, it's too bad that certain Southern Jews have been omitted in U.S. history classes. I can't remember reading about or hearing about Judah Benjamin in high school or in college. This is a fascinating work for both Jews and non-Jews, and it's a beautiful book as well.
|