The Butcher's Tale - Murder and Anti-Semitism in a German Town (Paperback)

One of the most dramatic explorations of a German town in the grip of anti-Semitic passion ever written.

In 1900, in a small Prussian town, a young boy was found murdered, his body dismembered, the blood drained from his limbs. The Christians of the town quickly rose up in violent riots to accuse the Jews of ritual murder—the infamous blood-libel charge that has haunted Jews for centuries. In an absorbing narrative, Helmut Walser Smith reconstructs the murder and the ensuing storm of anti-Semitism that engulfed this otherwise peaceful town. Offering an instructive examination of hatred, bigotry, and mass hysteria, The Butcher's Tale is a modern parable that will be a classic for years to come. Winner of the Fraenkel Award. A Los Angeles Times Best Book of 2002. 4 pages of illustrations.

"[B]rilliantly brings this collective madness to life...a lucid exemplar of social and cultural history at its best."—Peter Gay

"An illuminating microhistory of a chilling event: a gruesome murder in a small German town."—Stephen Greenblatt, Cogan University Professor of the Humanities, Harvard University

"An extremely significant study that will have a very big impact."—Cynthia Ozick

"Masterful...a powerful volume."—Publishers Weekly

"Chilling...reads like a thrilling true-crime story."—The Forward

"Smith's crisp writing, his analytical mind and his skill as a storyteller make his book as absorbing as a mystery novel...a stimulating, thoughtfully argued, informative and eye-opening book...[that] combine[s] sound research with pellucid prose and a spellbinding story."—Merle Rubin, Los Angeles Times

General

Imprint:	W W Norton & Co Inc
Country of origin:	United States
Release date:	December 2003
First published:	November 2003
Authors:	Helmut Walser Smith
Dimensions:	209 x 138 x 17mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Paperback
Pages:	270
ISBN-13:	978-0-393-32505-8
Categories:	Books > Humanities > History > European history > General Books > Humanities > History > History of specific subjects > Social & cultural history Books > Social sciences > Sociology, social studies > Ethnic studies > Jewish studies Books > Humanities > History > World history > From 1900 > General Books > History > European history > General Books > History > History of specific subjects > Social & cultural history Books > History > World history > From 1900 > General Promotions
LSN:	0-393-32505-9
Barcode:	9780393325058

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