The Hebrew Impact on Western Civilization

By Dagobert D. Runes

An eye-opening classic volume on the enduring cultural impact of the Jewish people

This authoritative work considers the creative and cultural influence of the Jews throughout our time. At more than 800 pages, D. D. Runes has complied a mid-twentieth century account of the various contributions in many spheres in which the Jews have had an impact on western civilization. Eminent scholars consider the ways in which the Jews contributed toward the making of modern society and helped in raising human standards and values.
 
Richard Van Dyck, in “The Jewish Influence on Journalism,” observes that the preponderance of Jewish newspapermen disproves the commonly held belief that Jewish journalism is “necessarily subversive.” William B. Ziff’s “The Jew as Soldier, Strategist and Military Adviser” delineates the successes of Jewish military forces throughout history. Dr. Abraham I. Katsh discusses “The Hebraic Foundations of American Democracy,” noting the influence of Hebrew Scriptures on standards of conduct in western civilization. Curtis Lubinski’s “The Jew in Drama, Theatre, and Film” traces the success of Jewish performers and dramatists. The essays compiled in this volume are a fascinating and expansive look at the far-reaching impact Jews have had on Western life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: May 26, 2015
• ISBN: 9781504012966

Dagobert D. Runes

Dagobert D. Runes was born in Zastavna, Bukovina, Austria-Hungary (now in Ukraine), and received a doctorate in philosophy from the University of Vienna in 1924. In 1926 he emigrated to the United States, where he became editor of the Modern Thinker and later Current Digest. From 1931 to 1934 he was director of the Institute for Advanced Education in New York City, and in 1941 he founded the Philosophical Library, a spiritual organization and publishing house. Runes published an English translation of Karl Marx’s On the Jewish Question under the title A World Without Jews, featuring an introduction that was clearly antagonistic to extreme Marxism and “its materialism,” yet he did not entirely negate Marxist theory. He also edited several works presenting the ideas and history of philosophy to a general audience, including his Dictionary of Philosophy.