Concerning the Jews

by Mark Twain

{ 15.34 x 23.59 cms} Leather Binding on Spine and Corners with Golden Leaf Printing on round Spine (extra customization on request like complete leather, Golden Screen printing in Front, Color Leather, Colored book etc.) Reprinted in 2013 with the help of original edition published long back [1934]. This book is printed in black & white, sewing binding for longer life, printed on high quality Paper, re-sized as per Current standards, professionally processed without changing its contents. As these are old books, we processed each page manually and make them readable but in some cases some pages which are blur or missing or black spots. If it is multi volume set, then it is only single volume, if you wish to order a specific or all the volumes you may contact us. We expect that you will understand our compulsion in these books. We found this book important for the readers who want to know more about our old treasure so we brought it back to the shelves. Hope you will like it and give your comments and suggestions. - English, Pages 30. EXTRA 10 DAYS APART FROM THE NORMAL SHIPPING PERIOD WILL BE REQUIRED FOR LEATHER BOUND BOOKS. COMPLETE LEATHER WILL COST YOU EXTRA US$ 25 APART FROM THE LEATHER BOUND BOOKS. {FOLIO EDITION IS ALSO AVAILABLE.}

Genres: Jewish, History, Essays, Nonfiction, Judaism, American

48 pages, Paperback

Published January 18, 2016

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Samuel Langhorne Clemens, known by the pen name Mark Twain, was an American writer, humorist and essayist. He was praised as the "greatest humorist the United States has produced," with William Faulkner calling him "the father of American literature." His novels include The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876) and its sequel, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1884), with the latter often called the "Great American Novel." Twain also wrote A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court (1889) and Pudd'nhead Wilson (1894), and co-wrote The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today (1873) with Charles Dudley Warner.

Reviews

[Derek · Rating 4 out of 5]

I downloaded the complete Mark Twain from Project Gutenberg today, and my eye was caught by this essay (from Harper's Magazine, March 1898).

It's stunning how timelessly he writes, and this piece should still be considered required reading. I'm only sorry that I believe he's not entirely correct:

Point No. 5.—'Will the per­se­cu­tion of the Jews ever come to an end?'
On the score of re­li­gion, I think it has al­ready come to an end. On the score of race prej­u­dice and trade, I have the idea that it will con­tinue.

Twain's argument is that anti-Semitism has always been based on envy of the Jews business acumen (a generalization that he is entirely aware is such, but for which he makes a good case). Unfortunately, purely religious hatred continually flares, and those who hate Jews for their religion are more than happy to use others' envy to forward their own ends.

It's particular pleasing to see such a balanced and clearly unprejudiced article from the man who's been called a racist, and had his books banned, purely because characters use the language of the time and refer to "niggers".

[K. Anna Kraft · Rating 3 out of 5]

I arranged my thoughts on this essay into a haiku:

"An ambitious try,
Distilling cause from issue
In something so old."

[Clay Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This could be the most important work by Mark Twain.

[Анђела Бурсаћ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wonder what Twain would think today.

Certainly, the Jews have always been the scapegoat for many countries for centuries. That is a fact no one can deny. In this essay, Twain explains his reasons why he thinks that's the case. He also adds various cases where Jews have been discriminated against. I don't think this work is anti-Semitic, quite contrary...

Why is this important to me as a non-Jewish person:

This current war in Palestine, I have found myself struggling... Seeing all the brutality against the Palestinians made me angry. These things we are seeing today... I never thought I would witness something like this. On the other hand, Israelis are throwing the word "antisemitism" so much, it has lost it's meaning... Over time, people have desensitized to that word and to the Jewish suffering. And that is posing a great danger to Jews all around the world.

I understand. Jews have been discriminated against for many, many centuries. I understand why that would prompt them to try and make their own country, where they could feel safe. But burning the house of other is not going to help you build your own. Setting fields on fire will not make your crops blossom and grow.

Lack of understanding can lead to hate... That's what makes books so great. They can provide that understanding.

[Ben McGinnis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a really interesting piece. Especially amongst the WWII reading that I have been doing of late. This short volume puts out a decent case against antisemitism and prejudice in general. The issue I see is that what Twain seems to praise are also reasons used to hate Jews. As a Jew, I find the book an interesting jaunt into the mind of an outsider concerned by the world he observes. It is also alarming prescient given the subject and when it was published.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twain's contention is that anti-Semitism existed before Christ and that the main source of criticism of Jews is the fact that they do better in business than others. He proposes that they take a greater part in politics to protect themselves. The French revolution opened opportunities for Jews to participate as citizens.

[Gr1972 · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 out of 5

[Xavier Alexandre · Rating 1 out of 5]

Clearly antisemitic - nothing else to say.