Unholy War

Description

In this powerful investigation, Kertzer argues that the Roman Catholic Church's role in the historical hatred and persecution of Jews in Europe helped make the Holocaust possible. Focusing on the popes, cardinals, bishops, priests and the laity, who were convinced that they were doing God's work, his dispassionate narrative reveals how traditional Catholic forms of dealing with Jews were transformed into modern anti-Semitism. Unholy War strongly contradicts the Vatican's own account of its history. Compellingly written, it sheds light on a remarkable and disturbing story that until now has remained hidden. 'The material is dynamite' THE TIMES 'Riveting' NEW YORK TIMES 'Powerful and shocking' TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT 'Devastating' SCOTSMAN

David Kertzer is Paul Dupee University Professor of Social Science at Brown University, where he is also professor of anthropology and Italian studies. His book Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara was a finalist for the National Book Award in the U.S. in 1997, and he has twice received the Marraro Prize from the Society for Italian Historical Studies for the best work on Italian history. His 2001 book, The Popes Against the Jews, a look at the Vatican's role in the rise of modern anti-Semitism, has been published in several languages. He is also the author of Unholy War. He is co-founder former co-editor of the Journal of Modern Italian Studies. In 2005 Kertzer was elected a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. From 2006 to 2011 he was the Provost of Brown University.