A Promised Land

Rezensionen / Stimmen

Jortner's research is unquestionably exhaustive, and the text occasionally overflows with biographical vignettes, which will appeal to readers with an interest in Jewish studies and early American history. * Kirkus * Jortner's research is unquestionably exhaustive, and the text occasionally overflows with biographical vignettes, which will appeal to readers with an interest in Jewish studies and early American history. * Kirkus * A great historian-and storyteller-of American religion has now brought his considerable talents to bear on the intersecting histories of Jews and the American founding. The result is a lively book filled to the brim with fascinating details and insightful interpretations. Adam Jortner offers his readers an authoritative account of early American Jews as well as a provocative challenge to some of our most persistent national myths. * Shari Rabin, Author of Jews on the Frontier: Religion and Mobility in Nineteenth-century America * This smart, well-written, and comprehensively researched history refutes 'Christian America' claims that Protestants alone founded the United States, and shows how Jews participated in the birth of American freedom, and freedom reshaped the lives of America's Jews. A timely and valuable contribution. * Jonathan D. Sarna, University Professor and Joseph H. & Belle R. Braun Professor of American Jewish History, Brandeis University * A Promised Land is now the definitive history of Jews and the American Revolution. Brimming with new insights about the meaning of the Revolution and the relationship between church and state in the early Republic, Adam Jortner's brilliant historical scholarship will change the way I teach and write about this era. * John Fea, Messiah University, author of Was America Founded as a Christian Nation? * Adam Jortner gracefully delves into the complicated history of Jews in the era of the American Revolution. With deft storytelling and a keen eye on how Jews responded to both challenges and opportunities, Jortner argues that the American Revolution ushered in a new era of religious freedom--not as a matter of course, but because Jews and other religious minorities demanded that it be so. This is a must-read for those interested in the birth of American religious liberty. * Kate Carte, Southern Methodist University, author of Religion and the American Revolution: An Imperial History * Readers of all backgrounds dedicated to the success of the American experiment will no doubt gain great understanding and insight by reading Jortner's wonderful volume. * Stuart Halpern, Jewish Book Council * A rich, absorbing, meticulously researched book. * RICHARD KREITNER, JEWISH REVIEW OF BOOKS * A rich, absorbing, meticulously researched book. * RICHARD KREITNER, JEWISH REVIEW OF BOOKS * Jortner's A Promised Land is wide-ranging, boldly argued, and exhaustively researched, not to mention enormously entertaining. * Peter W. Walker, William and Mary Quarterly * A Promised Land is deeply researched, clearly written, and even contains some welcome dashes of humor. It is necessary reading for scholars of both the American Revolution and early republic. It should immediately go onto the reading lists for graduate seminars on the period. * Jonathan Den Hartog, American Historical Review *