Books: Jewish Tragedy

JOSEPHUS AND THE EMPEROR-Lion Feuchtwanger-Viking ($2.75).

In the guise of a series of historical novels, Novelist Lion Feuchtwanger has for years been discussing one of the touchiest of age-old issues-the Jewish problem. The nub of this problem is the never-ending tug-of-war in the Semitic mind between nationalism (atavistic) and internationalism (idealistic)-a nub made spiny with the misunderstandings that this cryptic conflict causes in whatever alien community it takes place. Author Feuchtwanger has embodied this struggle in the character of First-Century Jewish Historian Flavius Josephus (The Jewish War), historical hero of the fictional...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!