The Star and the Stripes

Compelling. . . . An astute study that should provoke productive conversations.--Kirkus [A]n important book that shows how American Jews struggle with and express their identities on a global scale.--Publishers Weekly [The Star and Stripes] supplies much-needed coherence to the topic.--Choice Through a wide-ranging survey of history, Michael Barnett examines key concepts--internationalism, particularism, and cosmopolitanism--for understanding how Jews worked to tame and shape the world around them. His beautifully written book uses these ideas to unravel the ways Jews endeavored to alleviate Jewish suffering and guard their identity in the world. --Joel S. Migdal, University of Washington It is rare to find a work that succeeds so well at every level--analytical, historical, and personal. In The Star and the Stripes, renowned political scientist Michael Barnett defines his approach rigorously, making the historical survey that follows even more enlightening. Not only Jews but also any Americans interested in the fate of cosmopolitan ideals during a difficult age should ponder Barnett's conclusions. --Samuel Moyn, author of The Last Utopia The Star and the Stripes is a highly readable and provocative account of the role that American Jews play in the world. Synthesizing a huge amount of literature, it challenges many of the myths perpetrated about U.S.-Israel relations. This book will attract significant attention. --Stephen Hopgood, SOAS, University of London At this turning point for the future of Israel, Michael Barnett has written the most fair-minded and lively history of how American Jews have imagined themselves as a people with universal aspirations. The Star and the Stripes could not be more timely. --Alan Wolfe, Boston College A timely meditation on issues of universalism and particularism in American Jewish life. --Jonathan D. Sarna, author of American Judaism: A History An astute study that should provoke productive conversations.---Stephen Darori, Israel Book Review Barnett's useful, original book puts contemporary American Jewish attitudes toward foreign policy in historical context.---Walter Russell Mead, Foreign Affairs Distressing. . . . [The Star and the Stripes] deserves attention because the issues it raises should not be ignored.---Libby K. White, Jewish Book Council [This book] usefully brings together important episodes in American Jewish history.---Jonathan Neumann, Standpoint