Description

This is an auction for THE TROTSKYS, FREUDS AND WOODY ALLENS: PORTRAIT OF A CULTURE by Ivan Kalmar.

"Interesting ... startling ... entertaining. Kalmar swoops breathlessly from Christmas to Kafka, from Jewish-American Princess jokes to Jacques Derrida, from Fiddler on the Roof to Bobby Fischer. The book's charm lies in this contentiousness, in the debate it sparks." - Toronto Globe and Mail

"Brilliant. Kalmar's deep understanding of the Jew's role both within and beyond his and her community is defended with genuine courage." - Edmonton Journal

"Kalmar's nifty thesis describing the shared identity crisis of an intellectual generation of Jews is bound to make waves in Jewish circles." - NOW Magazine

Amazon.com review:

"What do Freud, Einstein, Trotsky, Woody Allen, Sarah Bernhardt, the Marx Brothers, Bobby Fisher, Noam Chomsky and Bette Midler have in common? They are all non-practising Jews, one of the most fascinating and controversial cultural groups of modern times. They win Nobel Prizes; they are prominent in the arts, visionary in the sciences, active in social causes and successful in politics, to mention but a few of the fields where they excel. Ivan Kalmar, a Professor of Anthropology at the University of Anthropology, explores this group he calls 'EJI' (pronounced 'edgy'), an acronym for Embarrassed about being a Jewish Individual. He suggests that this discomfort has propelled them to excellence in many areas. Whether or not you agree with Kalmar, this is a stimulating book which will provoke discussion and thought. It is alternately outrageous, witty, original and contentious."

More very favourable reviews on Amazon.com.