pdotb reviewed Safety Through Solidarity by Shane Burley
I learned so much
5 stars
Content warning antisemitism
Really good introduction to antisemitism, from its origins in early Christianity through to today. Lots to think about in its coverage of antisemitism on the left (see Bebel's 'socialism of fools'), including the easy tendency to contrast financial capitalism with a more productivist capitalism. Sensitive handling of the controversy around Corbyn's Labour Party. Good coverage of links between antisemitism and anti-Communism, including how William Lind generated the spectre of 'Cultural Marxism' in 2012 to replace the defunct fear of the Soviet Union. Explains well how White Nationalism and the Christian Right use antisemitism, especially as part of conspiracy theories. Probably the most challenging part (both to read and, presumably, to write) concerns Israel/Palestine and Zionism (including the world of Christian Zionism). I think they did a good job of tackling this, and it's certainly left me with lots to think about. The remaining quarter or so of the book concerns how we fight antisemitism, especially in a way that ties it in with other battles.