A History of the Jews in Christian Spain, Volume 1

One of the century's great classics of Jewish historiography, A History of the Jews in Christian Spain traces the economic, social, legal, and political life of the Spanish-Jewish community from the eleventh-century reconquest of Iberia from Moslem rule to the expulsion in 1492.

This is a story of heroism and opportunism, humanitarianism and selfishness -- all synthesized in an artistic work of history that has become the definitive work in its field.

Benjamin R. Gampel, in his introduction, explores Baer's historiographical accomplishment and explains the philosophy that animated his research. He describes the work of translation from the Hebrew and, utilizing the JPS archives, details a fascinating publishing history. Finally, he discusses the book's continuing influence in the teaching of Jewish history today.