I don’t always have the chance to review each book, so I’ll list the books that I receive. Some of them will be quoted or reviewed in future posts. Here are the books I’ve received recently:
Finkelman’s book has the potential to seriously impact the conversation about chareidim in america. He argues that that in their vert efforts to resist mainstream american culture, American chareidim are quintessentially American.
I haven’t read the book. However, from the description on Amazon, I don’t understand the chiddush. As a charedi, I understand perfectly well what is going on: you co-opt things like novels, music, other literature, newspapers, etc. so that chareidim in North America have a “kosher” outlet to enjoy these things. Otherwise, they may turn to secular sources and outlets, with all of its anti-Torah messages and content.
Did Mr. Finkleman have to write a whole book about that?
From his articles, I see two chiddushim. The first is informing outsiders of the developments. The second is his analysis and comparisons to other communities.
Thanks for the mention, Gil. You can learn a bit more about the book and download the preface and TOC at strictlykosherreading.blogspot.com . Readers interested in discount copies can e-mail me at [email protected].
Rafael, I have no problem with having written a book that is correct, but not so new. However, if the book has what to add to the conversation, it has to do with uncovering some of the paradoxes, tensions, and internal contradictions that are built into the attempt to borrow his genres and styles from outside the tradition.
I tend to agree with Rafael-The Charedi media ( Yated, HaModia, Mishpacha, ArtScroll, Feldheim, etc) publish novels, self-help related works, etc, all of which coopt secular the structure of secular literature in a “kosher” style for the American Charedi reading public. In a similar manner, take a look at how ArtScroll packages and advertises all of its publications- in a reader free manner and in a web friendly manner.
I am curious if the author has any research on who are the biggest consumers re ArtScroll’s works on Tefilah, Tanach and Shas or has any research re the same.
Finkelman’s book has the potential to seriously impact the conversation about chareidim in america. He argues that that in their vert efforts to resist mainstream american culture, American chareidim are quintessentially American.
I haven’t read the book. However, from the description on Amazon, I don’t understand the chiddush. As a charedi, I understand perfectly well what is going on: you co-opt things like novels, music, other literature, newspapers, etc. so that chareidim in North America have a “kosher” outlet to enjoy these things. Otherwise, they may turn to secular sources and outlets, with all of its anti-Torah messages and content.
Did Mr. Finkleman have to write a whole book about that?
From his articles, I see two chiddushim. The first is informing outsiders of the developments. The second is his analysis and comparisons to other communities.
Thanks for the mention, Gil. You can learn a bit more about the book and download the preface and TOC at strictlykosherreading.blogspot.com . Readers interested in discount copies can e-mail me at [email protected].
Rafael, I have no problem with having written a book that is correct, but not so new. However, if the book has what to add to the conversation, it has to do with uncovering some of the paradoxes, tensions, and internal contradictions that are built into the attempt to borrow his genres and styles from outside the tradition.
I tend to agree with Rafael-The Charedi media ( Yated, HaModia, Mishpacha, ArtScroll, Feldheim, etc) publish novels, self-help related works, etc, all of which coopt secular the structure of secular literature in a “kosher” style for the American Charedi reading public. In a similar manner, take a look at how ArtScroll packages and advertises all of its publications- in a reader free manner and in a web friendly manner.
I am curious if the author has any research on who are the biggest consumers re ArtScroll’s works on Tefilah, Tanach and Shas or has any research re the same.