“A rich gift to history—and not just Jewish history—for its account not just of what Moses Montefiore did or did not do, but also of what he was.” —New Republic
Humanitarian, philanthropist, and campaigner for Jewish emancipation on a grand scale, Sir Moses Montefiore (1784–1885) was the preeminent Jewish figure of the nineteenth century. His story, told here in full for the first time, is a remarkable and illuminating tale of diplomacy and adventure. Abigail Green’s sweeping biography follows Montefiore through the realms of court and ghetto, tsar and sultan, synagogue and stock exchange.
Interweaving the public triumph of Montefiore’s foreign missions with the private tragedy of his childless marriage, this book brings the diversity of nineteenth-century Jewry brilliantly to life. Here we see the origins of Zionism and the rise of international Jewish consciousness, the faltering birth of international human rights, and the making of the modern Middle East.
Mining materials from eleven countries in nine languages, Green’s masterly biography bridges the East-West divide in modern Jewish history, presenting the transformation of Jewish life in Europe, the Middle East, and the New World as part of a single global phenomenon. As it reestablishes Montefiore’s status as a major historical player, it also restores a significant chapter to the history of our modern world.
“A masterpiece of scholarship and historical imagination.” —Niall Ferguson, New York Times bestselling author of The Square and the Tower
“Entertaining.” —The Economist
“A perceptive, solidly researched biography with expressive period illustrations attesting to Montefiore's global celebrity.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Deeply impressive. . . . One of the essential works on modern Jewish history.” —Tablet Magazine
“Fair and illuminating.” —The Wall Street Journal
"1101976515"
Moses Montefiore: Jewish Liberator, Imperial Hero
“A rich gift to history—and not just Jewish history—for its account not just of what Moses Montefiore did or did not do, but also of what he was.” —New Republic
Humanitarian, philanthropist, and campaigner for Jewish emancipation on a grand scale, Sir Moses Montefiore (1784–1885) was the preeminent Jewish figure of the nineteenth century. His story, told here in full for the first time, is a remarkable and illuminating tale of diplomacy and adventure. Abigail Green’s sweeping biography follows Montefiore through the realms of court and ghetto, tsar and sultan, synagogue and stock exchange.
Interweaving the public triumph of Montefiore’s foreign missions with the private tragedy of his childless marriage, this book brings the diversity of nineteenth-century Jewry brilliantly to life. Here we see the origins of Zionism and the rise of international Jewish consciousness, the faltering birth of international human rights, and the making of the modern Middle East.
Mining materials from eleven countries in nine languages, Green’s masterly biography bridges the East-West divide in modern Jewish history, presenting the transformation of Jewish life in Europe, the Middle East, and the New World as part of a single global phenomenon. As it reestablishes Montefiore’s status as a major historical player, it also restores a significant chapter to the history of our modern world.
“A masterpiece of scholarship and historical imagination.” —Niall Ferguson, New York Times bestselling author of The Square and the Tower
“Entertaining.” —The Economist
“A perceptive, solidly researched biography with expressive period illustrations attesting to Montefiore's global celebrity.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Deeply impressive. . . . One of the essential works on modern Jewish history.” —Tablet Magazine
“A rich gift to history—and not just Jewish history—for its account not just of what Moses Montefiore did or did not do, but also of what he was.” —New Republic
Humanitarian, philanthropist, and campaigner for Jewish emancipation on a grand scale, Sir Moses Montefiore (1784–1885) was the preeminent Jewish figure of the nineteenth century. His story, told here in full for the first time, is a remarkable and illuminating tale of diplomacy and adventure. Abigail Green’s sweeping biography follows Montefiore through the realms of court and ghetto, tsar and sultan, synagogue and stock exchange.
Interweaving the public triumph of Montefiore’s foreign missions with the private tragedy of his childless marriage, this book brings the diversity of nineteenth-century Jewry brilliantly to life. Here we see the origins of Zionism and the rise of international Jewish consciousness, the faltering birth of international human rights, and the making of the modern Middle East.
Mining materials from eleven countries in nine languages, Green’s masterly biography bridges the East-West divide in modern Jewish history, presenting the transformation of Jewish life in Europe, the Middle East, and the New World as part of a single global phenomenon. As it reestablishes Montefiore’s status as a major historical player, it also restores a significant chapter to the history of our modern world.
“A masterpiece of scholarship and historical imagination.” —Niall Ferguson, New York Times bestselling author of The Square and the Tower
“Entertaining.” —The Economist
“A perceptive, solidly researched biography with expressive period illustrations attesting to Montefiore's global celebrity.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Deeply impressive. . . . One of the essential works on modern Jewish history.” —Tablet Magazine
Abigail Green is Tutor and Fellow in History, Brasenose College, University of Oxford.
Table of Contents
Contents List of Maps List of Illustrations Preface Note to Readers Introduction Chapter 1. Livorno and London Chapter 2. Making a Fortune Chapter 3. A World beyond Business Chapter 4. The Road to Jerusalem Chapter 5. Rise, Sir Moses Chapter 6. The Land of Milk and Honey Chapter 7. The Damascus Affair Chapter 8. Unity and Dissent Chapter 9. Winds of Change in Russia Chapter 10. Trial and Error Chapter 11. The Crimean War and After Chapter 12. The Mortara Affair Chapter 13. Grief and Sore Troubles Chapter 14. Mission to Marrakesh Chapter 15. Building Jerusalem Chapter 16. Crisis in Romania Chapter 17. Fading Glory Chapter 18. The Final Pilgrimage Chapter 19. End of an Era Conclusion Appendix A. Barent-Cohen Family Tree, Showing Judith’s Cohen and Rothschild Relatives Appendix B. Montefiore Family Tree Notes Archives Consulted Index
What People are Saying About This
David Feldman
An elegant, accessible, and intellectually impressive book. Sir Moses Montefiore was a dominant presence in Anglo-Jewish society, a towering figure pressing Jewish interests on the international stage. Green explores Montefiore's public work as well as his family life and religious beliefs, and provides an innovative account of Jewish politics in nineteenth-century Europe. — David Feldman, author of Englishmen and Jews
Todd Endelman
An absolutely first-rate biography of the nineteenth-century champion of imperiled Jews. Green's account of Montefiore's faith and his attachment to the land of Israel is especially compelling. Written in a lively manner, this book will have broad appeal. — Todd Endelman, author of The Jews of Britain, 1656-2000
Derek Penslar
This magisterial biography illuminates the life of one of the most important, yet least understood, figures in modern Jewish history. Green shows that European religious sensibility, liberal humanitarianism, and Great Power politics were indispensable preconditions for Jewish emancipation and twentieth-century Jewish politics. Gracefully written, yet supported by massive erudition, Green's book deserves a wide readership. — Derek Penslar, author of Shylock's Children
Niall Ferguson
Abigail Green is without doubt the most brilliant rising star in modern European Jewish history. Her biography of Moses Montefiore, one of the great torch-bearers of Jewish emancipation, redefines the role played by Jews in the prehistory of globalization, as well as the history of philanthropy. She is a profound historical thinker and a marvelous writer into the bargain. This is a masterpiece of scholarship and historical imagination.
