An extremely personal book, this examination of anti-Semitism in all its nuances, for here Hecht, virtually thinking aloud, injecting bits of autobiography, investigates history, literature, individual experiences, revealing the stupidity, cruelty and murder behind the prejudices against his race. Consciousness of being Jewish is of recent sensation to him so there is a freshness in his approach to this controversial subject, an unquestionable honesty in his opinions, and a crusading quality to his writing of the complex forces at work, in the past and present. As always in Hecht's writing there is vitality in his invetive, iconclean in his ideas rebellion against narrowness, dislike of , so that in viewing the upholders of race hatred, discrimination, distrust, he is articulate to the point of vitriol. Fighting wards -- not only against , but against all who by any persecute, to the point of hysteria, the Jewish race warning words of the dangers of anti-Semitism. The publishers are backing this with substantial advertising and promotion which may take it over the hump of being too violent a book for general consumption.