This attractive, profusely illustrated volume provides the reader with fascinating glimpses of Jewish history and culture through the millenia. The emphasis, though, is on the modern period, with more than half of the book devoted to the 20th century. Each brief feature article is arranged on facing pages and is surrounded by related paintings, maps, photographs, woodcuts, and artifacts. The more than 200 topics include historic events, social issues, economic conditions, and cultural contributions. The expansive appendixes contain sections on Hebrew script, symbols used in Jewish art, costume, and a chronological history table. The book is eminently suitable for pleasurable browsing. Jewish Book Club main selection; Judaica Book Club alternate. Carol R.
