Language:
English
Pages:
XI, 473 Seiten
Year of publication:
1939
Abstract:
In 1936, Lowenthal published his most important and popular book, The Jews of Germany: A Story of Sixteen Centuries. In writing this book, he hoped to demonstrate that discrimination against Jews in Germany was not something that became commonplace once Hitler took control. Lowenthal wanted to reach out to his readers and explain that if something was not done about the treatment of Jews in Europe that Jews would be doomed. Lowenthal followed the events in Germany closely and was disturbed by the passing of the Nuremberg Laws in September 1935, which stripped Jews of their citizenship in Germany and forbade Jews to marry non-Jewish citizens. Lowenthal was appalled by the treatment of Jews in Germany; Jews were forced to sit in the back of public buses, drink from different water fountains, and not allowed to use public restrooms. The book was painstaking for Lowenthal to write because of his love for Zionism and his determination to free Jews from discrimination in Europe. The Jews of Germany left Lowenthal exhausted. His book consisted of literary fragments, essay sketches, and writing plans, but no finished product materialized. It is in this book that his craftsmanship and urbanity of style appear at their best.
