Reviews
"A masterful assessment of the relationships between African Americans and Jews in the twentieth century. Greenberg's deeply researched and well-written analysis provides new materials, fresh insights, and a keen understanding of the plight of both groups. Her book is bias-free while sympathetically presenting the perspectives of African Americans and Jews. Vastly superior to everything else that has previously been written on the topic, Troubling the Waters will become the standard by which all other works on the subject are measured." --Leonard Dinnerstein, Professor Emeritus, University of Arizona, "Cheryl Lynn Greenberg's Troubling the Waters is engaging and well researched, and the author insightful and thorough. The book fills a void in the historiography and will make a much-needed addition to courses in African American Studies, American history, and sociology. It is an invitation to explore some of the most compelling issues in race politics today." --Barbara Ransby, University of Illinois at Chicago, author of Ella Baker and the Black Freedom Movement, "The vexed topic of black-Jewish relations in 20th-century America requires a brave writer, and Greenberg confronts the issue with honesty and dedication. While she provides ample evidence that the golden age of cooperation between the two groups wasn't as harmonious as generally believed, she also provides numerous examples of cohesion during the more fraught times. Greenberg is not only adept at uncovering little-known controversies and victories; her brief exposition of the famous New York City teachers' strike in the late 1960s, an incident widely credited with bringing to a boil simmering black-Jewish tensions, is a masterpiece of compression and insight." -- Atlantic Monthly, Troubling the Watersgives textured life to more than 100 years of civil rights efforts and offers a window into the complex, political decision-making of courageous and often admirable individuals., Co-Winner of the 2006 Saul Viener Book Prize, American Jewish Historical Society One of Choice 's Outstanding Academic Titles for 2006, Troubling the Waters gives textured life to more than 100 years of civil rights efforts and offers a window into the complex, political decision-making of courageous and often admirable individuals. ---Jane Gordon, Diverse, Greenberg's history is both synthetic and original, especially in its coverage of the last thirty-five years. . . . Troubling the Waters is a painstakingly researched, impressively documented, well-written, and important contribution to the field. -- Dominic J. Capeci Jr., Journal of American History, "Greenberg's history is both synthetic and original, especially in its coverage of the last thirty-five years. . . . Troubling the Waters is a painstakingly researched, impressively documented, well-written, and important contribution to the field."-- Dominic J. Capeci Jr., Journal of American History, "Troubling the Waters is the most complete attempt to unravel the complicated history of black-Jewish relations during the 20th century." --Edward S. Shapiro, Congress Monthly, "[Greenberg's] smart and comprehensive analysis . . . is one of the best of a spate of new books on this topic, with her fine research and careful delineation of the facts."-- Publishers Weekly, Greenberg's most impressive achievement is the way she weaves the story of black-Jewish relations into the larger history of American liberalism in the twentieth century...While the likelihood of another 'golden age' of black-Jewish relations seems remote, what is certain is that Greenberg's book will be essential reading for anyone interested in this complex relationship and in the history of American liberalism more broadly. -- Eric L. Goldstein, American Historical Review, "Greenberg's is one of the best of a spate of new books on this topic, with her fine research and careful delineation of the facts."-- Press-Enterprise, "[A]n admirably balanced, fairly unsentimental account of a former entente. Greenberg . . . approaches the topic with eyes wide open in an attempt to plumb its complexities."-- Sheldon Kirschner, Canadian Jewish News, Cheryl Greenberg's book stands as an exemplar of scholarship not just in American Jewish history and in African American history, but also in the history of American liberalism which in many ways is the key force which dominates the narrative here. ---Hasia R. Diner, Modernism/Modernity, "The best-researched and most comprehensive account yet of Black-Jewish relations in the twentieth century. The messy complexities of the relationship, the insensitivities displayed on all sides, are here revealed for all to see. Sobering, realistic, and definitive." --Jonathan D. Sarna, Brandeis University, "The vexed topic of black-Jewish relations in 20th-century America requires a brave writer, and Greenberg confronts the issue with honesty and dedication. While she provides ample evidence that the golden age of cooperation between the two groups wasn't as harmonious as generally believed, she also provides numerous examples of cohesion during the more fraught times. Greenberg is not only adept at uncovering little-known controversies and victories; her brief exposition of the famous New York City teachers' strike in the late 1960s, an incident widely credited with bringing to a boil simmering black-Jewish tensions, is a masterpiece of compression and insight."-- Atlantic Monthly, Cheryl Greenberg's book stands as an exemplar of scholarship not just in American Jewish history and in African American history, but also in the history of American liberalism which in many ways is the key force which dominates the narrative here. -- Hasia R. Diner, Modernism/Modernity, Troubling the Waters gives textured life to more than 100 years of civil rights efforts and offers a window into the complex, political decision-making of courageous and often admirable individuals., "[Greenberg's] book is lucid in its exposition, balanced in its tone, and generous in its sympathies. Writing from a resolutely liberal perspective, she has built upon and outclasses all previous scholarship on the history of the black-Jewish encounter in twentieth-century America."-- Stephen J. Whitfield, Jewish History, Greenberg's is one of the best of a spate of new books on this topic, with her fine research and careful delineation of the facts. -- Press-Enterprise, "For readers who puzzle about what happened to the fabled alliance between Blacks and Jews, Troubling the Waters provides the authoritative answer. It is testament to Cheryl Lynn Greenberg's discipline as a historian, as well as her personal acumen and devotion to justice, that she is able to take up so fraught a subject and to give us such an illuminating account." --Stephen Steinberg, author of Turning Back: The Retreat from Racial Justice in American Thought and Policy, "Greenberg's history is both synthetic and original, especially in its coverage of the last thirty-five years. . . . Troubling the Waters is a painstakingly researched, impressively documented, well-written, and important contribution to the field." --Dominic J. Capeci Jr., Journal of American History, "Greenberg's most impressive achievement is the way she weaves the story of black-Jewish relations into the larger history of American liberalism in the twentieth century...While the likelihood of another 'golden age' of black-Jewish relations seems remote, what is certain is that Greenberg's book will be essential reading for anyone interested in this complex relationship and in the history of American liberalism more broadly." --Eric L. Goldstein, American Historical Review, [Greenberg's] book is lucid in its exposition, balanced in its tone, and generous in its sympathies. Writing from a resolutely liberal perspective, she has built upon and outclasses all previous scholarship on the history of the black-Jewish encounter in twentieth-century America. ---Stephen J. Whitfield, Jewish History, [A]n admirably balanced, fairly unsentimental account of a former entente. Greenberg . . . approaches the topic with eyes wide open in an attempt to plumb its complexities., In Troubling the Waters: Black Jewish Relations in the American Century , Greenberg has done more than write a book that will be of interest to students of Jewish-American history or the African American experience. She has instead produced a work--ambitious in scope and thoughtful in tone--that will be of enormous value to those interested in the broader history of postwar America and the rise of modern liberalism. ---Alan Petigny, Reviews in American History, "In Troubling the Waters: Black Jewish Relations in the American Century , Greenberg has done more than write a book that will be of interest to students of Jewish-American history or the African American experience. She has instead produced a work--ambitious in scope and thoughtful in tone--that will be of enormous value to those interested in the broader history of postwar America and the rise of modern liberalism."-- Alan Petigny, Reviews in American History, [Greenberg's] book is lucid in its exposition, balanced in its tone, and generous in its sympathies. Writing from a resolutely liberal perspective, she has built upon and outclasses all previous scholarship on the history of the black-Jewish encounter in twentieth-century America., "Greenberg's is one of the best of a spate of new books on this topic, with her fine research and careful delineation of the facts." -- Press-Enterprise, Greenberg's history is both synthetic and original, especially in its coverage of the last thirty-five years. . . .Troubling the Watersis a painstakingly researched, impressively documented, well-written, and important contribution to the field. -- Dominic J. Capeci Jr., Journal of American History, "Cheryl Greenberg's book stands as an exemplar of scholarship not just in American Jewish history and in African American history, but also in the history of American liberalism which in many ways is the key force which dominates the narrative here."-- Hasia R. Diner, Modernism/Modernity, Cheryl Greenberg's view is that Black and Jewish interests and priorities have been fundamentally different all along but did, during a particular period, overlap sufficiently. . . . Cheryl Greenberg has certainly helped to provide . . . a clearer understanding [of the Black-Jewish relationship] with this well-written, well-researched book, which is chock full of information and sensible analysis by a thoughtful, sensitive, and sympathetic writer., Greenberg's most impressive achievement is the way she weaves the story of black-Jewish relations into the larger history of American liberalism in the twentieth century...While the likelihood of another 'golden age' of black-Jewish relations seems remote, what is certain is that Greenberg's book will be essential reading for anyone interested in this complex relationship and in the history of American liberalism more broadly., Essential reading for understanding ethnic/race relations and Jewish identity. . . . Greenberg offers the best study on black-Jewish relations and one that will stand as a classic in the field. ---Ronald H. Bayor, Southern Jewish History, "Greenbergs most impressive achievement is the way she weaves the story of black-Jewish relations into the larger history of American liberalism in the twentieth century...While the likelihood of another golden age of black-Jewish relations seems remote, what is certain is that Greenbergs book will be essential reading for anyone interested in this complex relationship and in the history of American liberalism more broadly."-- Eric L. Goldstein, American Historical Review, [Greenberg's] smart and comprehensive analysis . . . is one of the best of a spate of new books on this topic, with her fine research and careful delineation of the facts. -- Publishers Weekly, In Troubling the Waters: Black Jewish Relations in the American Century , Greenberg has done more than write a book that will be of interest to students of Jewish-American history or the African American experience. She has instead produced a work--ambitious in scope and thoughtful in tone--that will be of enormous value to those interested in the broader history of postwar America and the rise of modern liberalism., "[A]n admirably balanced, fairly unsentimental account of a former entente. Greenberg . . . approaches the topic with eyes wide open in an attempt to plumb its complexities." --Sheldon Kirschner, Canadian Jewish News, Cheryl Greenberg's view is that Black and Jewish interests and priorities have been fundamentally different all along but did, during a particular period, overlap sufficiently. . . . Cheryl Greenberg has certainly helped to provide . . . a clearer understanding [of the Black-Jewish relationship] with this well-written, well-researched book, which is chock full of information and sensible analysis by a thoughtful, sensitive, and sympathetic writer. -- Yankl Stillman, Jewish Currents, One of Choice 's Outstanding Academic Titles for 2006 Co-Winner of the 2006 Saul Viener Book Prize, American Jewish Historical Society, Greenberg's history is both synthetic and original, especially in its coverage of the last thirty-five years. . . . Troubling the Waters is a painstakingly researched, impressively documented, well-written, and important contribution to the field., "Greenberg's most impressive achievement is the way she weaves the story of black-Jewish relations into the larger history of American liberalism in the twentieth century...While the likelihood of another 'golden age' of black-Jewish relations seems remote, what is certain is that Greenberg's book will be essential reading for anyone interested in this complex relationship and in the history of American liberalism more broadly."-- Eric L. Goldstein, American Historical Review, Essential reading for understanding ethnic/race relations and Jewish identity. . . . Greenberg offers the best study on black-Jewish relations and one that will stand as a classic in the field., Troubling the Waters is the most complete attempt to unravel the complicated history of black-Jewish relations during the 20th century., Greenberg's is one of the best of a spate of new books on this topic, with her fine research and careful delineation of the facts., "[Cheryl Greenberg] provides extremely detailed histories of Jewish and African American civil rights efforts, together and as separate communities. . . . [F]or the scholar and political tactician, the volume is a goldmine of information. . . . [T]his book is likely to become one of the classic histories of black-Jewish relations in the United States." -- Jewish Book World, Cheryl Greenberg's book stands as an exemplar of scholarship not just in American Jewish history and in African American history, but also in the history of American liberalism which in many ways is the key force which dominates the narrative here., Greenberg's history is both synthetic and original, especially in its coverage of the last thirty-five years. . . . Troubling the Waters is a painstakingly researched, impressively documented, well-written, and important contribution to the field. ---Dominic J. Capeci Jr., Journal of American History, "In Troubling the Waters: Black Jewish Relations in the American Century , Greenberg has done more than write a book that will be of interest to students of Jewish-American history or the African American experience. She has instead produced a work--ambitious in scope and thoughtful in tone--that will be of enormous value to those interested in the broader history of postwar America and the rise of modern liberalism." --Alan Petigny, Reviews in American History, [Greenberg's] book is lucid in its exposition, balanced in its tone, and generous in its sympathies. Writing from a resolutely liberal perspective, she has built upon and outclasses all previous scholarship on the history of the black-Jewish encounter in twentieth-century America. -- Stephen J. Whitfield, Jewish History, "Cheryl Greenberg's view is that Black and Jewish interests and priorities have been fundamentally different all along but did, during a particular period, overlap sufficiently. . . . Cheryl Greenberg has certainly helped to provide . . . a clearer understanding [of the Black-Jewish relationship] with this well-written, well-researched book, which is chock full of information and sensible analysis by a thoughtful, sensitive, and sympathetic writer." --Yankl Stillman, Jewish Currents, Greenberg's history is both synthetic and original, especially in its coverage of the last thirty-five years. . . . "Troubling the Waters" is a painstakingly researched, impressively documented, well-written, and important contribution to the field., "Essential reading for understanding ethnic/race relations and Jewish identity. . . . Greenberg offers the best study on black-Jewish relations and one that will stand as a classic in the field." --Ronald H. Bayor, Southern Jewish History, " Troubling the Waters gives textured life to more than 100 years of civil rights efforts and offers a window into the complex, political decision-making of courageous and often admirable individuals." --Jane Gordon, Diverse, " Troubling the Waters gives textured life to more than 100 years of civil rights efforts and offers a window into the complex, political decision-making of courageous and often admirable individuals."-- Jane Gordon, Diverse, "Troubling the Waters is the most complete attempt to unravel the complicated history of black-Jewish relations during the 20th century."-- Edward S. Shapiro, Congress Monthly, Troubling the Watersgives textured life to more than 100 years of civil rights efforts and offers a window into the complex, political decision-making of courageous and often admirable individuals. -- Jane Gordon, Diverse, [A]n admirably balanced, fairly unsentimental account of a former entente. Greenberg . . . approaches the topic with eyes wide open in an attempt to plumb its complexities. -- Sheldon Kirschner, Canadian Jewish News, [Cheryl Greenberg] provides extremely detailed histories of Jewish and African American civil rights efforts, together and as separate communities. . . . [F]or the scholar and political tactician, the volume is a goldmine of information. . . . [T]his book is likely to become one of the classic histories of black-Jewish relations in the United States., Troubling the Waters gives textured life to more than 100 years of civil rights efforts and offers a window into the complex, political decision-making of courageous and often admirable individuals. -- Jane Gordon, Diverse, [Greenberg's] smart and comprehensive analysis . . . is one of the best of a spate of new books on this topic, with her fine research and careful delineation of the facts., InTroubling the Waters: Black Jewish Relations in the American Century, Greenberg has done more than write a book that will be of interest to students of Jewish-American history or the African American experience. She has instead produced a work--ambitious in scope and thoughtful in tone--that will be of enormous value to those interested in the broader history of postwar America and the rise of modern liberalism., Troubling the Waters is the most complete attempt to unravel the complicated history of black-Jewish relations during the 20th century. -- Edward S. Shapiro, Congress Monthly, [Cheryl Greenberg] provides extremely detailed histories of Jewish and African American civil rights efforts, together and as separate communities. . . . [F]or the scholar and political tactician, the volume is a goldmine of information. . . . [T]his book is likely to become one of the classic histories of black-Jewish relations in the United States. -- Jewish Book World, The vexed topic of black-Jewish relations in 20th-century America requires a brave writer, and Greenberg confronts the issue with honesty and dedication. While she provides ample evidence that the golden age of cooperation between the two groups wasn't as harmonious as generally believed, she also provides numerous examples of cohesion during the more fraught times. Greenberg is not only adept at uncovering little-known controversies and victories; her brief exposition of the famous New York City teachers' strike in the late 1960s, an incident widely credited with bringing to a boil simmering black-Jewish tensions, is a masterpiece of compression and insight., "Essential reading for understanding ethnic/race relations and Jewish identity. . . . Greenberg offers the best study on black-Jewish relations and one that will stand as a classic in the field."-- Ronald H. Bayor, Southern Jewish History, Essential reading for understanding ethnic/race relations and Jewish identity. . . . Greenberg offers the best study on black-Jewish relations and one that will stand as a classic in the field. -- Ronald H. Bayor, Southern Jewish History, "[Cheryl Greenberg] provides extremely detailed histories of Jewish and African American civil rights efforts, together and as separate communities. . . . [F]or the scholar and political tactician, the volume is a goldmine of information. . . . [T]his book is likely to become one of the classic histories of black-Jewish relations in the United States."-- Jewish Book World, The vexed topic of black-Jewish relations in 20th-century America requires a brave writer, and Greenberg confronts the issue with honesty and dedication. While she provides ample evidence that the golden age of cooperation between the two groups wasn't as harmonious as generally believed, she also provides numerous examples of cohesion during the more fraught times. Greenberg is not only adept at uncovering little-known controversies and victories; her brief exposition of the famous New York City teachers' strike in the late 1960s, an incident widely credited with bringing to a boil simmering black-Jewish tensions, is a masterpiece of compression and insight. -- Atlantic Monthly, Greenberg's most impressive achievement is the way she weaves the story of black-Jewish relations into the larger history of American liberalism in the twentieth century...While the likelihood of another 'golden age' of black-Jewish relations seems remote, what is certain is that Greenberg's book will be essential reading for anyone interested in this complex relationship and in the history of American liberalism more broadly. ---Eric L. Goldstein, American Historical Review, InTroubling the Waters: Black Jewish Relations in the American Century, Greenberg has done more than write a book that will be of interest to students of Jewish-American history or the African American experience. She has instead produced a work--ambitious in scope and thoughtful in tone--that will be of enormous value to those interested in the broader history of postwar America and the rise of modern liberalism. -- Alan Petigny, Reviews in American History, In Troubling the Waters: Black Jewish Relations in the American Century , Greenberg has done more than write a book that will be of interest to students of Jewish-American history or the African American experience. She has instead produced a work--ambitious in scope and thoughtful in tone--that will be of enormous value to those interested in the broader history of postwar America and the rise of modern liberalism. -- Alan Petigny, Reviews in American History, Cheryl Greenberg's view is that Black and Jewish interests and priorities have been fundamentally different all along but did, during a particular period, overlap sufficiently. . . . Cheryl Greenberg has certainly helped to provide . . . a clearer understanding [of the Black-Jewish relationship] with this well-written, well-researched book, which is chock full of information and sensible analysis by a thoughtful, sensitive, and sympathetic writer. ---Yankl Stillman, Jewish Currents, Troubling the Waters is the most complete attempt to unravel the complicated history of black-Jewish relations during the 20th century. ---Edward S. Shapiro, Congress Monthly, "[Greenberg's] book is lucid in its exposition, balanced in its tone, and generous in its sympathies. Writing from a resolutely liberal perspective, she has built upon and outclasses all previous scholarship on the history of the black-Jewish encounter in twentieth-century America." --Stephen J. Whitfield, Jewish History, [A]n admirably balanced, fairly unsentimental account of a former entente. Greenberg . . . approaches the topic with eyes wide open in an attempt to plumb its complexities. ---Sheldon Kirschner, Canadian Jewish News, "Cheryl Greenberg's view is that Black and Jewish interests and priorities have been fundamentally different all along but did, during a particular period, overlap sufficiently. . . . Cheryl Greenberg has certainly helped to provide . . . a clearer understanding [of the Black-Jewish relationship] with this well-written, well-researched book, which is chock full of information and sensible analysis by a thoughtful, sensitive, and sympathetic writer."-- Yankl Stillman, Jewish Currents, "Cheryl Greenberg's book stands as an exemplar of scholarship not just in American Jewish history and in African American history, but also in the history of American liberalism which in many ways is the key force which dominates the narrative here." --Hasia R. Diner, Modernism/Modernity, "[Greenberg's] smart and comprehensive analysis . . . is one of the best of a spate of new books on this topic, with her fine research and careful delineation of the facts." -- Publishers Weekly
