The Jewish Problem

by Louis Golding

Published in 1938, Louis Golding's The Jewish Problem traces the history of antisemitism, positing that Christianity was responsible for enduring anti-Jewish prejudice, which stemmed from the charge of deicide, and was expressed in anti-Jewish legislation and attempts at forced conversion.

Golding goes on to describe the pre-WW II Nazi persecution of Jews, such as economic boycotts and expulsions from schools and the professions, with the result of thousands of Jews dying by suicide.

Golding discusses Nazi propaganda in Britain, Eastern Europe, North America, and Italy, highlighting fascism in England, as well as in Romania and Hungary.

Golding hoped, but did not expect, that Germany would rescind its anti-Semitic policies, and called for the British to reject anti-Semitic prejudice.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, History

Paperback

First published November 1, 1938

About the author

Louis Golding was a British novelist, poet, short-story, and travel writer. Born into a Jewish-Ukrainian family, Golding wrote about his native Manchester - the setting for his bestselling novel Magnolia Street - but also published a number of fantasies. Magnolia Street and Mr Emmanuel were both made into films.

Reviews

[Apoorva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strange title, I first thought. I realized once I started reading the book that the title referred to the problem that the Jews have faced down the ages rather than to the suggestion that the Jews were a problem! In fact, at one point, the author does suggest an alternate title for the book - The Gentile Problem. The book is a concise history of how and why the Jews have been ostracized and persecuted throughout time. The author tries to explain every Jewish stereotype and rationally addresses all myths associated with the Jews. Good going so far. But why am I talking about the book if I haven't finished reading it? Here's why. As I glanced through the chapter on 'The Nazi Horror' I realized that while there's a long list of various atrocities, there's absolutely no mention of the Holocaust. I thought that was very strange! I then checked the publication date. November 1938! I am still in shock. What would this book read like if it was written six years later!?! I'll start reading the book again after I have recovered!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to flip back to the copyright page more than once to confirm that this book was published at the *start* of WW2, before most of what is now known was known. It's a slim volume, and the earlier chapters by necessity fairly skim the top of what there is to know about the history of antisemitism in Europe pre-20th ct, but the second half, which deals with the "current" situation, is chilling in it's prescience and equally saddening when you read it with the total knowledge of what happened next.

[Patricia Roberts-Miller]

This is a really painful book to read. Published in 1938, it clearly warns people about just how bad the situation was for Jews in Germany, and it's a clear and cogent dismantling of all the arguments for various levels of antisemitism. Knowing what comes after, and how effective Nazi propaganda was, it's just tough.

[Joanna Krashniker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. So well written, and I learnt so much. The date of this book is actually 1938, before WWII, yet amongst other things and a look at 2000 years of antisemitism, it proves that the world knew what Hitler was doing way before the actual war started. Anyone who really wants some insight about how old anti-semitism really is, and how much Nazi Germany spread it around the world pre WWII, must read this. Modern day Israel is most definitely just a convenient excuse for the world's oldest and most acceptable form of racism. Very very sad, but very important to read.

[Adam Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

A chilling book to read, knowing what happened in the next 7 years.

"Life for the German Jew has become an agony: it is becoming, in the exact sense, unlivable."

[Sandradeeelite]

Fascinating little find from a Sydney used bookshop, published 1938