Theodor Herzl: From Assimilation to Zionism (Jewish Literature and Culture) [first edition]

An original and brilliant thesis, exposing a long misunderstood figure. A great book." ―Bernard AvishaiExcellent... a highly revealing portrait that demolishes Herzl-the-icon." ―Michael MarrusOther biographers... have illuminated aspects of [Herzl’s] life, but none has been able to produce the kind of intellectual biography that we have here. Jacques Kornberg has done an admirable job of plumbing the depths of Herzl’s mind to try to come to an understanding of just why he became a Zionist and why he was literally consumed with promoting Zionist goals." ―CitharaWith compassion and critical balance, placing his subject well within his Austrian milieu, Kornberg analyzes Herzl’s rhetoric, tergiversations, and profound ambivalence over his politics and identity."―Choice... a masterful display of the sources... " ―American Historical Review... stimulating, provocative and agreeably iconoclastic... powerful and compelling." ―German HistoryA novel and provocative explanation of Theodor Herzl’s founding of Zionism as a way of resolving his personal crisis over his Jewish identity.