Jews in American Politics: Essays

By L. Sandy Maisel and Ira N. Forman

Book Overview

Joseph Lieberman's Vice Presidential nomination was neither the first nor last word on signal Jewish achievements in American politics. Jews have played an important role in American government since the early 1800s at least, and in view of the 2000 election, there is no political office outside the reach of Jewish American citizens.
For the first time, Jews in American Politics brings together a complete picture of the past, present, and future of Jewish political participation. Years in the making, this monumental work includes thoughtful and original chapters by leading journalists, scholars, and practitioners. Topics range from Jewish leadership and identity; to Jews in Congress, on the Supreme Court, and in presidential administrations; and on to Jewish influence in the media, the lobbies, and in other arenas in which American government operates powerfully, if informally.
In addition to the thematic chapters, Jews in American Politics includes over 400 biographical profiles of prominent Jews throughout American political history, and concludes with an invaluable roster of Jews in key governmental positions from Ambassadorships and Cabinet posts to federal judges, state governors, and mayors of major cities.
Part reference and part reflection, Jews in American Politics offers deep insight into serious questions about the dilemmas that Jews in public service face, as well as humorous sidelights and authoritative reference materials never before collected in one source. The story of the rich tradition of Jewish participation in American political life provides at once the perfect gift for every Jewish home as well as an indispensable resource for any serious follower of American politics.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0742501817
• ISBN13: 9780742501812
• Release Date: September 2001
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
• Length: 512 Pages
• Weight: 2.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.5" x 7.4" x 10.3"

Customer Reviews

Full of interesting information

No one interested in American politics could fail to find this an interesting and informative volume. The essays are perceptive, tho some are repetitous. The listing of all the Jewish Senators, Representatives, Federal judges, and governors is valuable. I found it amazing that apparently there was no Jew appointed a Federal judge till Wilson appointed Brandeis to the Supreme Court in 1916 and then thereafter there was no Jew appointed to the Federal judiciary till Hoover appointed Cardozo to the Supreme Court in 1931, and not till FDR was any Jew appointed a lesser Federal judge! An excellent reference book.

valuable reference

This book does something extraordinary. It presents a vast array of information while at the same time including a number general essays on Jews in American politics. No person seriously interested in ethnic politics and Jews particularly should be without this book.Clearly edited and turned by the press. There is no political slant--all positions represented.

Very handy book

" Jews in American Politics" should be in the the library of every person interested in the Jewish American experience. It contains not only a group of impressive essays but also an amazing assemblage of facts and statistics on things such as The Jewish vote and other political matters. The essays make for great reading and the statistical section make the book a very useful reference work.There really is nothing like the book available to people thinking and writing and teaching about Jews in America.

A marvelous book

Senator Joseph Lieberman. Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis. Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board Alan Greenspan. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. Host of Nightline Ted Koppel. Senator Carl Levin. Secretary of the Treasury Robert Rubin.What do these distinguished people have in common? All have left an indelible mark on American Politics and all are Jewish. These are just some of the many names that grace the pages of "Jews in American Politics." Editors L. Sandy Maisel and Ira N. Forman have done a masterful job collecting accounts from leading experts on the past, present, and future role of Jews in American politics. Topics range from Jews' role in presidential administrations and Congress to their influence in the media and elections.This book does an excellent job pulling together a great deal of information into a fluid narrative that inspires the reader to learn of Jews' valuable role in American politics.