The Grandees: America's Sephardic Elite

by Stephen Birmingham

Book Overview

Tracing their origins to medieval Portugal and Spain, the Sephardic Jews consider themselves 'the nobility of Jewry, ' in contrast to their pushier and more aggressive German counterparts. They were... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0000E9UZ3
• ISBN13: 8601420831520
• Release Date: January 1971
• Publisher: Harper & Row, Publishers
• Weight: 1.16 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Brought a whole history of people to vivid life

I didn't know much about the Sephardim, though I have am descended from some. I was fascinated about the Jewish-Moorish links and also, the prominence of so many Jews in Spain, Italy, Portugal, before the Inquisition. The characters virtually sprang off the page, though of course the details available for those of later date were more available than for the Dark Ages. I would have been fascinated to know more about that... It was also interesting to learn about the entangled family trees. To the other reviewer, I'd note that people always want to read about scandal and actions outside the ordinary. And it is certainly true that like any other preeminent members of society, they were exclusive in nature rather than inclusive. I bought this book originally as a souvenir at the State Museum of Virginia in Richmond over a year ago and it's remarkable how many details I still remember. The book really sticks to you! Plus, it really adds to other areas of study that you may follow -- whether you are into Medieval era, Dark Ages, weaponry/torture, the Diaspora, Colonial Era, Jewish-Arab relations, the Catholic Church.

fascinating picture of a closed society

This book does what good histories should do, open up doors to inaccessible places. Well written and incisive, it tracks a part of our history not well known. Especially fascinating were the accounts of how the first 44 came to America, and the story of the Civil War admiral. I'll read more of his books.