THE JEWISH PEOPLE

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 196, 16 May 1936, Page 25

THE JEWISH PEOPLE

Three New Works on a Complex Problem "A Short History of the Jewish People.” by Cecil Roth (London: Macmillan) : “I'lio Yellow Spot,” the extermination of I lie Jews in Germany, with an introduction by the Bishop of Durham (London: Gollancz) ; “Anti-Semitism Historically and Critically Examined,” by Professor Hugo Valentin (London: Gollancz). From the pen of Cecil Roth, "A Short History of the Jewish People” adds another volume to the ever-growing list of works on the Jewish race. It is a learned and comprehensive study, which gives to the reader a coherent and intelligible idea of .Jewish origins and progress through the ages from 1900 B.C. up to last year. At the present time it has an appeal that is universal.

The book is written in a narrative style, refreshing to a degree, that makes it attractive to a wide circle of the reading public. The traditional story of the Jews is told In an interesting manner so as to indicate clearly the immense part that it has played in the development of the Hebrew nation. Beside this, however, the writer has set forth the qjost assured results of modern historical and .archaeological research, and in this aspect of his work has provided an entirely new approach to his subject. Mr. Roth has endeavoured to make the story something more than a record of persecution, suffering and scholarship, and he has succeeded to a commendable degree. The book is really a social history. The Jew, as he was, is shown in an enlightening way. Care has been taken to reveal how he was embarked on his distinctive career, what he achieved, his occupations and reasons for adopting them, the reasons why his present distribution and activities were brought about, and how those characteristics generally associated with him came about. A traditional tale of woe has been established in Jewish historiography in the past, but Mr. Roth has relegated to the background many points and aspects and characters which have since time immemorial been ever-stressed.

An answer to the question of the position of the Jews in Germany to-day is given in “The Yellow Spot,” which is given an introduction by the Bishop of Durham. The book is a collection of facts and documents relating to three years’ persecution of German Jews, derived chiefly from National Socialist sources, and carefully assembled by a group of investigators. An examination of every side of life in Germany to-day is made in the book, which is claimed to be the first authoritative and complete documentary study of its subject. The book makes painful reading, but nevertheless, it is well worth attention by anyone with a desire to know the truth. The many and sombre records which form the basis of this work tell of a period of terrible persecution of the Jews in Germany. Professor Hugo Valentin, lecturer in history at the University of Uppsala, in hid book. “Anti-Semitism Historically and Critically Examined,” seeks to explain the causes of auti-seniitism and to throw light on the charges most commonly levelled against, the Jews. After prolonged study of Jewish history apd the problems of the race the author describes in forceful style the past and present hatred of the Jews, but other sides of the important complex of problems are also afforded treatment. The book is not wholly devoted to anti-semitism in Germany; it deals with the problem generally, but special reference is made to Germany because the symptoms of anti-semitism to-day are specially apparent in Germany, just as the Germans are mainly responsible for the ideology of modern anti-semitism. BOOKS .RECEIVED Books as listed hereunder have been received from the following publishers :— . GENERAL. Allen and Unwin: “Friendship—Love in Adolescence,” by N. M. Toretz-Tereshchenko. “The Home Market,” by Major G. Harrison and F. C. Mitchell. Angus and Robertson: “The Substance of the Christian Faith,” by Ronald G. Maclntyre. Bell: “Highland Homespun,” by Margaret Mary Leigh. Bodley Head: “A Short History of tlie World,” by IL G. Wells (Penguin Book). Chatto and Windus: “Tlie Art of Chess Combination,” by Eugene Znosko-Borovsky. Deane and Sons: “The Public and Preparatory Schools Year Book, 1936.” Gollancz: “As I Remember,” by E. E. Kellett. H.M. Stationery Office: “British Documents on the Origin of the War,” by Gooch and Temperley. Harrap: “Molly Lepett (Lady Hervey),” by Dorothy Margaret Stuart. Hodder and Stoughton: “The ,Way of the Cross, by Frank Brangwyn. Longmans: “Hedge Folk in Twilight,” by Phyllis Kelway. Macmillan: “The Future of Marriage in Western Civilisation,” by Edward Westermarck. FICTION. Bodley Head: “The Return,” by Walter de la Mare; “The Rocklitz,” by George I’reedy; “Mr. Fortune Please,” by H. C. Bailey; “The Pilgrim of a Smile,” by Norman Davey; “Almayer’s Folly,” by Joseph Conrad; “The Wallet of Kai Lung,” by Ernest Bramah (Penguin Books). Chatto and Windus: “Judas,” by Paul Gurk. Dent: “A Tale of Two Cities,” by Charles Dickens (film edition). Duckworth: “Lucasta’s Wedding,” by Hans Duffy. Gollancz: “Sic Transit Gloria,” by Milward Kennedy. “German Spy,” by Bernard Newman. Hamish Hamilton: “Sanfelige,” by Vincent Sbeeau. Harrap: "What Price Gloria,” by Geoffrey Clayton. ' Heinemann: “Cosmopolitans,” by W. Somerset Maughan. Macmillan: “Sparkenbroke,” by Charles Morgan. Methuen: “Pride in the Valley,” by lan Macpherson. Mils and Boon: “Tangled Harmonies,” by Eleanor Fames. “All This I Gave,” by Jan Tempest. “African Orchestra,” by Olive Leth- . bridge.