THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF NAHUM GOLDMANN

by Nahum Goldmann ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 13, 1969

Nahum Goldmann has been deeply involved and highly influential in every aspect of Jewish life for the greater part of this century--Jewish scholarship, world Jewry and Zionism. Born in Eastern Europe but educated in Germany (he is proud of that country's cultural heritage) Goldmann was a skilled orator with a quick and fertile mind who rose swiftly to a position of great eminence. Perhaps he is too close to the subject to write objectively of the events in which he played such an important role. Much of the book is taken up with self-righteous defense of his own actions as they related to specific events. Unfortunately he also writes in an uninspiring fashion. This is a great pity for many intriguing facets of his career (his interview with Mussolini; dealings with Sumner Welles and Cordell Hull; contacts with brilliant Hebraists) fail to be as interesting as they no doubt were. One wishes that Dr. Goldmann could have made up his mind between writing a passionate autobiography and an objective history of Judaism in the twentieth century. The unresolved conflict weakens the book, however edifying and basically important it is.

Pub Date: Oct. 13, 1969

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Holt, Rinehart & Winston

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 1969

Categories: NONFICTION