If I am Not for Myself

This is an eloquent and deeply felt memoir exploring the author's complex relationship with his Jewish identity. "If I Am Not Myself" is a passionate, thought-provoking exploration of what it means to be Jewish in the twenty-first century. It traces the author's upbringing in 1960s Jewish-American suburbia, his anti-war and pro-Palestinian activism on the British Left, and life as a Jew among Muslims in Pakistan, Morocco, and Britain. Interwoven with this are the experiences of his grandfather's life in Jewish New York of the 1930s and '40s, his struggles with anti-Semitism and the twists and turns that led him from anti-Fascism to Militant Zionism. In the course of this deeply personal story, Marqusee refutes the claims of Israel and Zionism on Jewish loyalty and laments their impact on the Jewish Diaspora. Rather, he argues for a richer, more multi-dimensional understanding of Jewish history and identity, and reclaims vital political and personal space for those castigated as self-haters by the Jewish establishment.

ISBN 184467214X   Pages 256 ISBN13 9781844672141 (What's this?)   Volumes 1 Publisher Verso Books   Weight (grammes) 513 Imprint Verso Books   Published in London Format Hardback   Height (mm) 210 Publication date 01 Nov 2007   Width (mm) 140 Library of Congress DS143   Spine width (mm) 29 DEWEY 305.89240092   Academic level General DEWEY edition DC22

"A beautiful book." - Arundhati Roy Praise for Wicked Messenger. "A remarkable reflection on the culture of the sixties." - Mike Davis "An extremely entertaining and significant work that speaks to the challenges of our present tense as much as it hymns a lyric genius for all times." - Time Out "A fascinating and detailed analysis... his narrative [has] freshness, vigour and purpose." - Times Literary Supplement"

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