People Love Dead Jews: Reports from a Haunted Present

I loved this book for the scholarly research and dynamic style the author brings to this subject. She tells us little known variants into the long tale.of aggression against the Jews. At the same time I marvel.that she can spend so.much energy studying the sad history of repeated attacks on her people. Human nature is basically awful.

Although title not really about topic, excellent writing and narrative. Worth your time.

Intense, informative, and wide-ranging in scope, Dara Horn writes of the evils, dangers, and horrific reality of anti-Semitism using various examples in Jewish history. Whether in China, Russia, Europe, or the US, anti-Semitism thrives, post Holocaust. The author examines the essence and virulent hatred of anti-Semitism.Referencing incidents from Simon of Trent in Italy, 1475, to the 1581 vicious murder of Roderigo Lopez under Elizabeth I, (whose predecessors conjured the Blood Libel upon the death of William of Norwich 1144, and in the next century, Edward I would participate in one of the first expulsions of Jews in Europe. Jews would not return to England until 1650 under Cromwell). From Shakespearean plays to Anne Frank’s book, to the burnings of Jewish Sacred Books, Horn shows a pattern of hatred and perceived wickedness of Jews.Rendered from age-old tropes propagated by Christian works and beliefs over centuries led to the unmitigated murder of two million Jewish children in last century, and to extend to murders of Jews in the recent years. Further, in mirror image, Dara Horn reveals the absence of genuine respect for Jews while laying claim of adoration, sympathy or ridiculous expectations.Furthermore, and much appreciated, is the mention of the new genre of Holocaust material produced by non-Jews (or even pretend Jews whose work is patently not Jewish).In these popular works, non-Jews are often the saviors of the Jews, when in reality, the situation was very rare (though when, recognized and treasured). The Holocaust is not about racism. The Holocaust is not universal.Through Jewish identity, the author relates differences in varied cultures and morals from behavior towards animals to political/religious oppression.The author speaks specifically to the uniqueness of Judaism and to the uniqueness of anti-Semitism.For Some Reviewers: What the book is Not about:Donald Trump or other contemporary political leaders. The book Is about Obsession and Irrational Hatred. Equally, the book was not about the glory of rebuilding Jewish Heritage Sites to benefit for profit on the backs of Dead Jews but the abject loss of the Jews murdered or discarded.Whom we must never forget are men like Varian Fry, the Righteous of the World.Perhaps not much new for Jews in the know, however, the book, so cleverly written makes it so worth reading.As succinctly stated by the author: Anti Semitism is a conspiracy of hate against Jews/Judaism.

This is a very difficult book to review. Dara Horn gets right at the heart of the conundrums, fears, and anxieties of Jews in America in the age of Trump and post-Trump. And why not? The rise of anti-Antisemitism and the violence it has spawned is deeply concerning. American sense looming danger.As a Jew, it is nearly impossible to read Horn’s book, People Love Dead Jews: Reports from a Haunted Present, without the baggage we haul along as the topics she explores hit right at an existential Jewish dichotomy: we are not in existential danger, the place we live is safe or we are in existential danger (or soon will be) and the place we live is dangerous (or soon will be).Shaul Magid has written, as of this moment, one of the few largely negative reviews of this book. He thinks that seeing Jewish history as a series of catastrophes warps our sense of Jewish history. As a Jew influenced by Bratslav, I understand his concerns; the Jewish life we live should be approached b’simcha, with joy. Otherwise, Judaism becomes a nihilistic entity, enshrining victim-hood, and instilling a dangerous sense of entitlement to our own sufferings (after all, many other peoples have suffered catastrophes). Why can't we Jews just deal if it?I think we fail to because Horn’s sense of Jewish history, across a certain spectrum, is just as correct as Magid’s. It is prudent, even wise, to enjoy our lives as Jews to the hilt, while at the same time realizing that our history has given us ample reason to be afraid of certain trends, and plan to protect ourselves.There is nothing inherently contradictory in holding these two views at once. This is not an all or nothing proposition. After all, this is how we approach life. Every day we wake up, and we know, at least in the back of our mind, that something terrible might happen today. This may be our last day in a job, a marriage, or as living beings. But we get out of our beds and we move on and live with as much joy as possible. We live the most we can in the face of existential uncertainty; but we also plan for the worst.

This book is sort of all over the place. Is it about dead jews or anti-Semitism or Jewish traditions and beliefs or righteous gentiles....not sure. Some of it is really gripping, and I learned about Varian Fry of whom I'd never heard. But I'm still not sure what Dr. Horn was really trying to tell me. As I said, not sure.

This is a really great book. Horn writes with a unique voice and draws the reader into story, history, religion, and current events like a weaver. She covers huge issues in creative ways and has a delightfully sarcastic streak to some of her points which aids the discussion rather than detracting. This is also an important book, about the recent rise in anti-Semitism and how we may all navigate it, stand against it and find hope in ancient paths.

I should probably stop highlighting lengthy quotes from this book, because if I go on, I'll have to highlight entire chapters, at least those dealing with the Jewish community of Harbin, and Varian Fry with everything around him.I don't know how good Dara Horn's fiction novels are - the reviews are mixed. But this book is downright brilliant. She doesn't leave a stone unturned, and let me tell you, I had quite a few myths busted. Buy and read it, if you're interested in the subject, or get it at your local library.

This book says it all and more. I have felt haunted my whole life. I even went through a phase where I was obsessed with photographing ruins and derelict buildings- truly haunted places. And now I have a far deeper understanding of why this and other obsessions that haunt me beyond the weight of being the daughter of a Holocaust survivor

Found this book simultaneously uplifting and depressing. To look through the lens of how Jews should be perceived as living beings - as a living community - rather than a commodity of victims. Really enjoyed the narrative.