The History of Anti-Semitism 2: From Mohammed to the Marranos

The History of Anti-Semitism #2

by Léon Poliakov

Covering the story of prejudice against Jews from the time of Christ through the rise of Nazi Germany, The History of Anti-Semitism presents in elegant and thoughtful language a balanced, careful assessment of this egregious human failing that is nearly ubiquitous in the history of Europe. From Mohammed to the Marranos focuses on the Sephardim, the Jews of North Africa and Iberia. Poliakov relates the great achievements of Spanish Jewry under the Muslim Caliphs followed by their gradual and painful decline during and after the Christian reconquest. The author explains the emergence of the Marrano culture, Jews who converted to Christianity, and the dispersion of those Jews who refused to convert in the face of expulsion and death.

Genres: Judaism, History, Antisemitism, Israel, Islam

416 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1961

About the author

Léon Poliakov (Russian: Лев Поляков) was a French historian, cofounder of the Center of Contemporary Jewish Documentation, and director of research at the National Centre for Scientific Research (Centre national de la recherche scientifique).

Reviews

[Shane Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent read that largely focuses on antisemitism under early Islam and the Spanish inquisition!