Moses Mendelssohn;: A biographical study - Hardcover

Altmann, Alexander

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0817368604 ISBN 13: 9780817368609

Publisher: University of Alabama Press, 1973

Synopsis

Moses Mendelssohn, one of the most celebrated figures of the German Enlightenment, is best known for the far-reaching influence he had on the Jewish community throughout the world. Drawing widely on personal letters and documents, including a substantial amount of material previously unavailable in any language, this definitive biography casts new light on this great rationalist and champion of intellectual liberty.

About this title

About the Author:

Alexander Altmann (1906-87) was born in Hungary and educated at the Rabbinical Seminary, Berlin, and at the University of Berlin. In 1938 he left Germany for Manchester, England, where he was appointed communal rabbi. While in Manchester he founded the Institute of Jewish Studies that later moved to University College, London. In 1959 he was appointed Professor of Jewish Philosophy at Brandeis University, Massachusetts, and Director of its Lown Institute of Advanced Judaic Studies.

Review:

`Generally, Judaica books published by university presses are definitive studies certain to be "classics" a hundred years from now. Among these is Alexander Altmann's biography... This is a definitive biography... it is written in a beautiful style... I predict that one hundred years from now... Moses Mendelssohn will be read and studied in new and reprinted editions.' Jewish Spectator `This monumental work is now required reading for everyone interested in Jewish intellectual history and in the spiritual, cultural, and religious development of the Jewish people in modern times.' Moshe Pelli, Jewish Quarterly Review 'There is an overpowering effect on the reader in studying the results of Professor Altmann's facts compiled as a biography and emerging as so much more: as history, as a record of controversies over religious adherence and strict and faithful Jewish observance, as theological disputation, as remarkable reporting on the philosophic discourses with noted Christians as well as Jews, as commentary on Jewish laws by the hero of the book whose piety and Jewish devotions are respected to this day... Altmann's creative work excels in many respects. It is history par excellence. It is thorough research. It is unsparing in criticism and it recognizes the merits of controversy. It will rank as an indestructible work and will be among the classics in biographic literature.' Detroit Jewish News 'The definitive biography of Mendelssohn.' Salo W. Baron, Jerusalem Post Magazine 'Alexander Altmann's monumental new biography not only supersedes the Kayserling study but should also serve as a turning point in the historical re-evaluation of Mendelssohn's role in the process of Jewish emancipation ... The happy combination of all these qualities in Professor Altmann makes his work a major achievement of scholarship.' Jacob Katz, Commentary

About this edition

• Publisher: University of Alabama Press
• Publication date: 1973
• ISBN 10: 0817368604
• ISBN 13: 9780817368609
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 900