Jody Myers, Ph.D. (Coordinator, Jewish Studies Program / Professor, Department of Religious Studies, California State University, Northridge):
“On the Side of the Persecuted ... is a very interesting book that will engage readers on a number of different levels. I enjoyed the book very much and I recommend it wholeheartedly.
“On the level of its story line, On the Side of the Persecuted has a plot that keeps the reader guessing. The book is set in late 14th - early 15th century Germany and Italy, and it illustrates the daily lives of the nobility, physicians, peasants, and Jews. It opens with a brief look at a few stark incidents in the childhood of Prince Leon, the protagonist, that shape him into a persecutor of Jews. We follow Leon’s personal journey - which is never predictable - as he wrestles with his sins and attempts to redeem himself as a human being. ... The personal relationships ... are sensitively developed by the author, and it is easy to be drawn into Leon’s dilemmas, losses, and victories. It is quite a moving tale.
“On the Side of the Persecuted makes history ‘come alive.’ The author sets the story into the late medieval period, with its groundbreaking political and religious changes: the growth of nation-states, schism within the Catholic church, the Black plague, expulsion of Jews, etc. She weaves together the story with just enough history to make the story line plausible and to make the history relevant. As a teacher of Jewish history, I can testify that the book is very good at driving home the influence on the Jews of medieval economic practices and political systems, the Church hierarchy, and Christian insecurities vis a vis heretics and Jews. It also enlightens the reader about the internal workings of the Jewish community.... The author describes Leon’s training and occupation as a physician and we learn fascinating tidbits about medical education, the common versus professional concepts of disease and treatment, and the many religious obstacles in the way of advancing medical knowledge. This information is conveyed in short segments or details woven into the story, so it is never boring.
”I think this book is particularly good for teaching Jewish moral and religious concepts. Without being preachy or pedantic, the reader learns about the importance of teshuva (repentance), establishing a disciplined way of life, doing deeds of loving kindness, honoring people’s privacy, and keeping one’s pride in check. The author shows that these are really quite complex and sophisticated matters. ...
“It is easy to get absorbed in On the Side of the Persecuted. The book conveys a great deal while telling a good story. Those knowledgeable about Judaism, as well as those less familiar, would find it insightful and thought-provoking. History buffs would enjoy it immensely. I would recommend it those of high school age and older. It would be an excellent choice for a book club, and it would also work well as a supplement to a history class or a course on Jewish ethics. It is obvious that Elisabeth Kesten crafted her book with a lot of care and painstaking research, and her work deserves wide recognition.”
Association of Jewish Libraries Newsletter, September/October 2001:
“Prince Leon of Germany, destined for greatness and power, creates a new path for himself, one that has been trod by few others before him. Born of Christian nobility, Prince Leon is groomed to assume his father’s post, that of a medieval prince. But Leon has other ideas. Events occur prompting the young man to make dramatic life-changing decisions. The reader travels with Leon from the days of his youth, to his awakening, and beyond. We suffer and rejoice with him along the way.
“Well-researched and packed with excellent descriptive accounts of the life and times of Jews and Christians in medieval Germany, Kesten’s book creates a picture of struggle, despair, and hope. The story centers on the life of one man, yet it provides a backdrop of medieval life that is so complete, the reader can almost taste, smell, and feel the lives of the characters portrayed.
“This novel is a stunning example of a thought-provoking, emotional journey of one man’s search for forgiveness, understanding, and peace. Our hero must contend with the ignorance of those around him, while trying to come to terms with his own inner conflicts. Highly recommended for adults and mature teens, this story is for anyone interested in a gripping allegory, while learning about European-Jewish history, the Middle Ages, spirituality, and the examined life.
“Would I have lived like Leon, knowing my birthright and the privileges entitled to me? Would I have spent so much time learning and delving so deeply into my inner self? Would I have survived? Would I have come to the same conclusions? Would I have the same fortitude and moral convictions given the same situation? These are some of the many questions that the author prompts us to ponder while reading the fictional account of this Christian knight named Prince Leon of Germany. I cried, I learned ... [sic] I still wonder.”
Sharon Argov (Treasurer, South Florida Chapter, Association of Jewish Libraries):
“This novel is a stunning example of a well researched, thoughtful and emotional journey of one man searching for forgiveness, understanding and peace. The story is set in a time and place of history which is cumbersome at best. Our hero must contend with the ignorance of those around him, while trying to come to terms with his own inner conflicts. The author has done a wonderful job of clearly and eloquently describing the life and times of Jews and Gentiles in Medieval Europe. The reader is pulled into this life, rejoicing and suffering with the characters, and along the way learns much about life in the Middle Ages. The reader is provoked by the author to look inward and review his or her own beliefs on religion/spirituality and the purpose of life. This book is recommended for adults and older teens who are interested in Jewish spirituality, European-Jewish History, the Middle Ages, and a better understanding of how anti-semitism developed and still flourishes to this day. Highly recommended.”
Ellen Weaver (New York - the above review was posted on the Renewal Rabbis e-mail discussion service):
“... THIS BOOK IS GREAT!!!
“it is an exciting, beautifully told tale about Europe in the early 1400´s---the Jewish teachings are just wonderful--the process of Prince Leon´s awakenings from persecutor to choosing to be "one of the persecuted" is very well and very believably done through recurring dreams, his medical studies and then with a few really good Rabbis. I read late into the night two nights in a row!”
On the Side of the Persecuted tells of a murderer’s search for forgiveness which leads him to abandon hi
Jody Myers, Ph.D. (Coordinator, Jewish Studies Program / Professor, Department of Religious Studies, California State University, Northridge):
“On the Side of the Persecuted ... is a very interesting book that will engage readers on a number of different levels. I enjoyed the book very much and I recommend it wholeheartedly.
“On the level of its story line, On the Side of the Persecuted has a plot that keeps the reader guessing. The book is set in late 14th - early 15th century Germany and Italy, and it illustrates the daily lives of the nobility, physicians, peasants, and Jews. It opens with a brief look at a few stark incidents in the childhood of Prince Leon, the protagonist, that shape him into a persecutor of Jews. We follow Leon’s personal journey - which is never predictable - as he wrestles with his sins and attempts to redeem himself as a human being. ... The personal relationships ... are sensitively developed by the author, and it is easy to be drawn into Leon’s dilemmas, losses, and victories. It is quite a moving tale.
“On the Side of the Persecuted makes history ‘come alive.’ The author sets the story into the late medieval period, with its groundbreaking political and religious changes: the growth of nation-states, schism within the Catholic church, the Black plague, expulsion of Jews, etc. She weaves together the story with just enough history to make the story line plausible and to make the history relevant. As a teacher of Jewish history, I can testify that the book is very good at driving home the influence on the Jews of medieval economic practices and political systems, the Church hierarchy, and Christian insecurities vis a vis heretics and Jews. It also enlightens the reader about the internal workings of the Jewish community.... The author describes Leon’s training and occupation as a physician and we learn fascinating tidbits about medical education, the common versus professional concepts of disease and treatment, and the many religious obstacles in the way of advancing medical knowledge. This information is conveyed in short segments or details woven into the story, so it is never boring.
”I think this book is particularly good for teaching Jewish moral and religious concepts. Without being preachy or pedantic, the reader learns about the importance of teshuva (repentance), establishing a disciplined way of life, doing deeds of loving kindness, honoring people’s privacy, and keeping one’s pride in check. The author shows that these are really quite complex and sophisticated matters. ...
“It is easy to get absorbed in On the Side of the Persecuted. The book conveys a great deal while telling a good story. Those knowledgeable about Judaism, as well as those less familiar, would find it insightful and thought-provoking. History buffs would enjoy it immensely. I would recommend it those of high school age and older. It would be an excellent choice for a book club, and it would also work well as a supplement to a history class or a course on Jewish ethics. It is obvious that Elisabeth Kesten crafted her book with a lot of care and painstaking research, and her work deserves wide recognition.”
Association of Jewish Libraries Newsletter, September/October 2001:
“Prince Leon of Germany, destined for greatness and power, creates a new path for himself, one that has been trod by few others before him. Born of Christian nobility, Prince Leon is groomed to assume his father’s post, that of a medieval prince. But Leon has other ideas. Events occur prompting the young man to make dramatic life-changing decisions. The reader travels with Leon from the days of his youth, to his awakening, and beyond. We suffer and rejoice with him along the way.
“Well-researched and packed with excellent descriptive accounts of the life and times of Jews and Christians in medieval Germany, Kesten’s book creates a picture of struggle, despair, and hope. The story centers on the life of one man, yet it provides a backdrop of medieval life that is so complete, the reader can almost taste, smell, and feel the lives of the characters portrayed.
“This novel is a stunning example of a thought-provoking, emotional journey of one man’s search for forgiveness, understanding, and peace. Our hero must contend with the ignorance of those around him, while trying to come to terms with his own inner conflicts. Highly recommended for adults and mature teens, this story is for anyone interested in a gripping allegory, while learning about European-Jewish history, the Middle Ages, spirituality, and the examined life.
“Would I have lived like Leon, knowing my birthright and the privileges entitled to me? Would I have spent so much time learning and delving so deeply into my inner self? Would I have survived? Would I have come to the same conclusions? Would I have the same fortitude and moral convictions given the same situation? These are some of the many questions that the author prompts us to ponder while reading the fictional account of this Christian knight named Prince Leon of Germany. I cried, I learned ... [sic] I still wonder.”
Sharon Argov (Treasurer, South Florida Chapter, Association of Jewish Libraries):
“This novel is a stunning example of a well researched, thoughtful and emotional journey of one man searching for forgiveness, understanding and peace. The story is set in a time and place of history which is cumbersome at best. Our hero must contend with the ignorance of those around him, while trying to come to terms with his own inner conflicts. The author has done a wonderful job of clearly and eloquently describing the life and times of Jews and Gentiles in Medieval Europe. The reader is pulled into this life, rejoicing and suffering with the characters, and along the way learns much about life in the Middle Ages. The reader is provoked by the author to look inward and review his or her own beliefs on religion/spirituality and the purpose of life. This book is recommended for adults and older teens who are interested in Jewish spirituality, European-Jewish History, the Middle Ages, and a better understanding of how anti-semitism developed and still flourishes to this day. Highly recommended.”
Ellen Weaver (New York - the above review was posted on the Renewal Rabbis e-mail discussion service):
“... THIS BOOK IS GREAT!!!
“it is an exciting, beautifully told tale about Europe in the early 1400´s---the Jewish teachings are just wonderful--the process of Prince Leon´s awakenings from persecutor to choosing to be "one of the persecuted" is very well and very believably done through recurring dreams, his medical studies and then with a few really good Rabbis. I read late into the night two nights in a row!”
On the Side of the Persecuted tells of a murderer’s search for forgiveness which leads him to abandon hi
On the Side of the Persecuted
On the Side of the Persecuted
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781469118147 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Xlibris Corporation |
| Publication date: | 08/29/2000 |
| Sold by: | Barnes & Noble |
| Format: | eBook |
| File size: | 316 KB |