"A rich and varied collection of texts with enlightening commentary."
(International Journal of Middle East Studies) "A delightful book, full of erudition and charm. . . . It captures the spirit of the time. . . . A marvelous work of tapestry."
- François Furet (Le Nouvel Observateur) "Rodrigue's book gives us a picture of the complex worlds of Sephardic Jewry. . . . [It] is unsurpassed in breadth, vividness, candor, and historical insight."
- Michael Berkowitz (History of European Ideas) "The unique contribution of Aron Rodrigue's book is that it provides contemporary images of Jewish life in the Middle Eastern and North African countries during 1860–1939. These descriptions were made by Jews who stayed with these communities for long periods of time or at least were well acquainted with them. Throughout the book Rodrigue places the changing conditions of these communities within the global framework that was instrumental in shaping this transition."
(Contemporary Jewry) "Rodrigue provides insight into the life of Jewish communities in Iraq, Iran, Morocco, Tunisia, Syria, Palestine, Algeria, Turkey, Egypt, and Greece. The letters touch upon the internal structure of these Jewish communities, their relations with their Muslim neighbors as well as the local government, their attitude towards European colonial influence, the impact of Zionism on them, and the increasing clash between Zionist and Alliance discourses. . . . Should be read by anyone with a keen interest in the history of the Middle East, Jews in the Middle East, and Orientalism."
(MESA Bulletin)
