Avengers and Defenders

“Meticulous research brings alive in equal measure some of the best-known and least remembered, but fascinating, episodes in Chicago Jewish history.” —Michael Feldberg, Executive Director, American Jewish Historical Society

Walter Roth delves deep into the archives of Chicago’s Jewish past in this collection of illuminating essays. The presence of Jews in Chicago goes back to 1841 and, Roth, a scholar of Jewish history in the city, looks at the more colorful and little-known aspects of Jewish involvement in all aspects of city life. He reveals Jewish connections to such tragedies as the Haymarket affair, the Peoria Street Riots of November 1949, the Memorial Day Massacre of 1937, the Iroquois Theater fire, and the murder of Jake Lingle. He also explores the Jewish community’s impact on business life, with discussions of Albert Lasker, the father of modern advertising, Ernest Byfield, founder of the Pump Room, William Paley, the head of CBS, Benjamin Rosenthal and the Chicago Mail Order Company, and the demise of the Foreman State Bank. There are sections on culture in the city (Meyer Levin and Isaac Rosenfeld), and science in the city (Leo Strauss, Martin D Kamen and Gunther Stent). These are only a sampling of the influential people and events Roth covers in this engaging collection.

“[Roth’s] essays sparkle with gems that will interest scholars, researchers, and casual readers alike.” —Mark A. Raider, Chair, Judaic Studies Dept., SUNY, Albany

“Readers . . . will find themselves enthralled by Walter Roth’s indispensable exploration of the intriguing role that one talented minority played . . . in the evolution of one of the world’s greatest cities.” —Steven J. Whitfield, Max Richter Professor of American Civilization, Brandeis University