Mendoza the Jew

About the Author(s)

Ronald Schechter is Associate Professor of History at the College of William and Mary. His book Obstinate Hebrews: Representations of Jews in France, 1715-1815 (2003) won awards from the American Historical Association and the Society for French Historical Studies. Schechter is also the editor of The French Revolution: The Essential Readings (2001) and the translator/editor of Nathan the Wise by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing with Related Documents (2004).

Liz Clarke is a professional artist and illustrator based in Cape Town, South Africa.

Reviews

"As a class- or seminar-room text that can offer students an inspiring introduction to the art and craft of history and act as a demystifier of the discipline, this volumeâs worth is inestimable. Yet, the authorâs frank discussions of the frustrations, complications, revelations, and collaborations inherent in the crafting of this work of history are also likely to resonate with historians of all levels of experience." -- David Dee, Jewish Historical Studies

"Engagingly written and beautifully illustrated, Mendoza the Jew packs a powerful punch. It will engage students while teaching them much about eighteenth-century British society. Graphic history is here to stay."--Mark Kishlansky, Harvard University

"This is an innovative, imaginative, and exciting book about a fascinating, but largely forgotten figure: the eighteenth-century Jewish boxer Daniel Mendoza. Students and general readers alike will find in it a splendid introduction to the history of eighteenth-century Britain, the history of the Jews in Britain, the history of sport culture, and also to the ways that historians work. Scholars will find in it a superb document collection, accompanied by a cogent, concise analysis of Mendoza's life and career. And everyone will find in it a marvelously entertaining and brilliantly drawn story."--David A. Bell, Princeton University

"The English boxer Daniel Mendoza's triumphs and setbacks are grippingly described by Ronald Schechter and boldly illustrated by Liz Clarke. Readers will be drawn in by the taut narrative, which is supported by thoughtful analysis of pugilism, the Jewish community, and national identity during the age of the French Revolution. The book's generous selection of primary sources lets readers investigate the materials with which Schechter has built his narrative. The accompanying essays (and suggested assignments) invite students to think critically about how historians build their historical accounts. Mendoza the Jew will be welcomed by students, professors, and readers alike."--Stuart Semmel, Yale University

"This vivid portrayal of Daniel Mendoza's life is full of emotion and history. It instructs us in sports, Jewish, gender, and political history even as it captures the reader's interest through engaging dialogue and graphics. The author's discussion of his method and his offering of primary documents ensures the place of Mendoza's story in the classroom."--Bonnie Smith, Rutgers University

"This is an engaging yet sophisticated exploration of issues of ethnicity, nationalism, and manliness in modern Europe through the story of Britain's first minority sports star. Mendoza has it all--beautiful illustrations, a compelling narrative, a diverse selection of gripping documents, and great writing questions."--Rafe Blaufarb, Florida State University

"Mendoza the Jew is an exciting and innovative way of introducing students to history that prompts them to think historically."--Lynn Hunt, University of California, Los Angeles