Hans-Joachim Hahn

Scott Ury und Guy Miron, Hg. Antisemitism and the Politics of History. Waltham, Massachusetts: Brandeis University Press, 2024

Introduction

Scott ury und guy miron, hg. Antisemitism and the politics of history. Waltham, massachusetts: brandeis university press, 2024. Explore the complex relationship between antisemitism and the politics of history in this critical 2024 book edited by Scott Ury and Guy Miron.

Abstract

Review

Scott Ury and Guy Miron's edited volume, *Antisemitism and the Politics of History*, published by Brandeis University Press, addresses an exceptionally timely and critical intersection within contemporary historical studies and public discourse. The title alone signals a scholarly undertaking of significant relevance, focusing on two profoundly impactful areas: the enduring and evolving manifestations of antisemitism, and the contentious ways in which historical narratives are constructed, interpreted, and often weaponized in the present. Coming from Brandeis University Press, a publisher renowned for its strong contributions to Jewish studies and related fields, this volume enters the academic arena with an inherent expectation of rigorous scholarship on a sensitive and vital subject. The conjunction of "Antisemitism" with "Politics of History" is particularly evocative, suggesting a multifaceted examination that extends beyond mere historical chronology of antisemitic thought or action. It points to a critical inquiry into how the past—specifically, the history of antisemitism—is remembered, forgotten, distorted, or instrumentalized within various political and social contexts. One anticipates the collection might explore diverse themes such as historical revisionism, Holocaust denial and distortion, the role of memory institutions and public education, and how national narratives grapple with or obfuscate histories of antisemitism. Such a volume promises to shed light on the complex interplay between academic scholarship, political exigencies, cultural memory, and the ongoing struggle against prejudice and hate. Given the crucial nature of its subject matter, *Antisemitism and the Politics of History* holds significant promise as a scholarly contribution to a highly pertinent field. However, without an accompanying abstract to detail the volume's specific methodologies, the geographical or chronological scope of its essays, the range of its contributors, or its key arguments and findings, a comprehensive assessment of its ultimate achievement remains impossible. A full evaluation would necessarily involve engaging with the individual chapters and the editors' overarching framework to determine the coherence, originality, and depth of its insights. Nevertheless, the titular promise alone positions this edited volume as a potentially essential resource for scholars, students, and policymakers grappling with the complex legacies and current manifestations of antisemitism.

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