Antisemitism

Here and Now

By: Deborah E. Lipstadt

Narrated by: Ellen Archer, Paul Boehmer, Phoebe Strole

Length: 7 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

***2019 NATIONAL JEWISH BOOK AWARD WINNER - Jew­ish Edu­ca­tion and Iden­ti­ty Award***

The award-winning author of The Eichmann Trial and Denial: Holocaust History on Trial gives us a penetrating and provocative analysis of the hate that will not die, focusing on its current, virulent incarnations on both the political right and left: from white supremacist demonstrators in Charlottesville, Virginia, to mainstream enablers of antisemitism such as Donald Trump and Jeremy Corbyn, to a gay pride march in Chicago that expelled a group of women for carrying a Star of David banner.

Over the last decade, there has been a noticeable uptick in antisemitic rhetoric and incidents by left-wing groups targeting Jewish students and Jewish organizations on American college campuses. The reemergence of the white nationalist movement in America, complete with Nazi slogans and imagery, has been reminiscent of the horrific fascist displays of the 1930s. Throughout Europe, Jews have been attacked by terrorists, and some have been murdered.

Where is all this hatred coming from? Is there any significant difference between left-wing and right-wing antisemitism? What role has the anti-Zionist movement played? And what can be done to combat the latest manifestations of an ancient hatred? 

In a series of letters to an imagined college student and imagined colleague, both of whom are perplexed by this resurgence, acclaimed historian Deborah Lipstadt gives us her own superbly reasoned, brilliantly argued, and certain to be controversial responses to these troubling questions.

©2019 Deborah E. Lipstadt (P)2019 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Lipstadt aims not to break new scholarly ground but to awaken her audience to the nature, persistence and scale of the threat, along with the insidious ways in which it seeks to disguise itself. She succeeds.... She has written a book that combines erudition, clarity, accessibility and passion at a moment when they could not be needed more.” (Bret Stephens, The New York Times Book Review)

“A leading scholar of Judaism explores just about every manifestation of contemporary antisemitism, with plenty of history included for context.... A tour de force approachably presented.” (Kirkus Reviews) 

“Keeping her tone measured and carefully noninflammatory, Lipstadt presents an intelligent, evenhanded explanation of why Jews come under attack today. Informed, historically sound, and deeply rational, her book offers both convincing reasons for the recent rise of antisemitism and apt advice to ‘call out and combat’ it.” (Publishers Weekly) 

“Lipstadt’s book [is] crucial for understanding the dismaying resurgence of antisemitism - on both the right and the left.” (Randy Rosenthal, The Washington Post)

A Must Read

I became interested in this subject because of the news coverage of Charlottesville and the shootings at the Pittsburgh Synagogue. Therefore, I decided to read this book.

The book is well written and researched. Professor Lipstadt explores the subject in a series of letters to fictional composites: Abigail, a Jewish student, and Joe, a non-Jewish colleague. Lipstadt examines current day antisemitism. The author also discusses the conspiracy theorists or ideologues who cannot be reasoned out of their view points. I enjoyed the discussion about how to spell antisemitism and the meanings put on words. Lipstadt skillfully examines antisemitism. In the last few years, I am surprised at how rapidly worldwide antisemitism has spread.

The book is seven hours and thirty-seven minutes. Ellen Archer, Paul Boehmer and Phoebe Strole do a good job narratoring the book.

Overly obsessed with Donald Trump..

I read this book in 2021. So Joe Biden is our President. I know Donald Trump was an idiot. His contribution to racial discord is well documented. The author devoted too much time to the Trump Presidency. So what about the Democratic Party? Switched to the Labour Party of Great Britain’s is a cop out. Louis Farakkan and Al Sharpton sat with Hillary Clinton at Aretha Franklin’s funeral. The left in America has an anti Semitic problem. In Brooklyn, Orthodox Jews are routinely assaulted . This is completely ignored in this book.

And what about Trump acknowledging Jerusalem as the capital of Israel by moving the Embassy. So even though he didn’t speak out against anti semitism, his policies were pro Israel. This book was a shallow explanation of anti semitism.

One awful book

Who the F thought of this concept? The two asking questions and the author providing answers. That’s not a book, that’s a transcript.

One has to totally agree to the topic to listen to this book. It has very little exploration of the root cause

There are many, hundreds, of examples of Anti-Semitism in every single chapter. Very over illustrated. I found it hard to continue listening at times. Basically, facts stated and points taken, Needed to move on.
This book does not satisfy my purpose. There are only a few minutes stating the causes of Anti-Semitism. No exploration. Basically accept it and move onto hearing hundreds of cases reports.
This books does not stimulate a curious mind. It is a history book with too little mental exercises. Evoking but not stimulating.

Depressing

I wanted a way to respond to antisemotism but found none. it didn't fit my wishes.

Perfect for the College Student or Professor

I was disappointed this wasn't in the same genre I had hoped, as the author's other book "Denial" had left me unable to put the book down, as I devoured it in one sitting. This book is positively perfect for the college student or professor who is in the current on campus setting vividly described in the entirety of the book; however this isn't a good book for a mom's coffee club or book club. As usual, Lipstadt is on point in her narrative, however I was hoping for more every day familial instances. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.

It really is all around

(As posted in GoodReads)
This book was so full of information! Yes, I am a Zionist, and I am a Jew, so I suppose that these facts could possibly flavor my review, but I still try to look at things from an unbiased perspective. The overall format was surprisingly effective; the questions from a Jewish student and the non-Jewish professor addressing the question of antisemitism seems to cover the question fairly well.
The fact that antisemitism continues to raise its ugly head (cliché, I know…) Is pointed out and explained fairly thoroughly and frighteningly. Whether this defines an and to Judaism is also addressed! But the fact that certain stereotypes and preconceptions are just let go is telling about antisemitism overall what IS antisemitism in the end? It can be far less obvious and more insidious than we would like to believe. And yes, EVERYONE, Jewish or not, has to deal with it. Is it as bad as overall racism? It's DIFFERENT, but in many ways YES, it is as bad.

Never become complacent!

Powerful. So glad I read/listened to this book now. The set up was different as the conversation goes in the form of letters but every single issue was addressed. Should be required reading….

A book with little substance on Antisemitism

An uninspiring book which does nothing to explain the root cause of Antisemitism in the United States. The only reason I finished this book is because I finish what I start. I seek to understand the underpinnings or root cause of Antisemitsm in the United States. Deborah Lipstadt was my Jewish History professor at UCLA in about 1983. I remembered little of her but thought the film of her trial against David Irving was compelling and a good way to bring history alive.

There is nothing compelling about this book. I learned nothing except how to spelll Antisemitism. This book at its outset is a diatribe against Trump. She gives him too much power and the charges ring hollow. Stylistically, he uses words like Islamaphobic, Homophobic and blood libel in an adoslescent type of way. "Buzzwords" but lacking in analysis.

After this book I question her bonafides as the United States envoy to combat Antismetism and have no idea why she serves in this post.

The book is undiplomatic and self-serving but more then anything misrably fails in its attempt to educate the audience on the causes of Antisemitism in the United States. The reading of her book was grating and unispiring and for me to a degree a member of a captive audience. Ofcourse I did not have to listen to the book but being the optimist that I am, I kept on hoping there wouid be an evolution in style, knowledge, and educational value.

I was hoping to learn about the underpinnings of Antisemitism in the United States such as why Jews were not allowed to serve on the United States Supreme Court, why Jewish doctors were precluded from practicing at certain hospitals, and why Jews were excluded from law-schools and law firms and what the root cause(s) of this history is.

There is a plethora of material to work with. As a matter of style, the letters to the characters, Abigail (a student) and Joe (a non Jewish colleague) is banal, condesceniding and trite. For an educator on Jewish History this book deserves a zero. I cannot fathom how 118 raters gave this book 4.5 stars. The ratings are probably members of her family and faculty at Emory.

Jewish History is remarkably interesting and full of scholars who seek to explore and explain. From scholars like Maimonides, Spinoza, to Justice Ginsberg. There are wonderful history writers who educate beautifully, like Walter Isaacson and Philp Roth, who bring the characters to life and make the topics ripe and inspiring. Alan Dershowitz is able to bring any topic alive and is articulate-he can turn a piece of paper into a three diementional piece of art.

Please don't waste your time on this book. As to substance, the book is devoid of the rich history Jews have. As to form it is like chalk screeching on a blackboard.

Fascinating read

I highly recommend this book, everyone can learn something from this book. I enjoyed the letter format and her ability to relate to the students and help them understand their experiences.