Reflections of a Veteran Pessimist: Contemplating Modern Europe, Russia, and Jewish History

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Having been exposed early in life to the dangers of extreme nationalism, journalist and historian Walter Laqueur chose to align his thinking with Victor Hugo’s ideal of a “European Brotherhood” where the European nations would merge into a “superior unit” overcoming war and strife. However, as time wore on and consolidating national solidarities seemed ever more impossible, Laqueur became more of a pessimist. Today, he still hopes for unity, but doubts that it will ever come to pass. This volume represents the culmination of thought of a most noteworthy, contemporary historian. Reflections of a Veteran Pessimist is divided into four sections: Europe in Decline, Jews in the Twentieth Century, Russia after the Soviet Union, and Observations. Having lived under the Nazi regime, Laqueur is keenly aware of the dangers posed by strident nationalism in Europe and rampant religious zealotry in the Middle East. Reflecting on the lingering financial crisis in Europe, Laqueur observes its serious consequences―populist movements and growing opposition to European integration. He notes that the influx of refugees resulting from Middle Eastern instability have sharpened the challenges facing Europe and weakened its unity. Laqueur also examines the growth of authoritarian nationalism in Russia and the de facto renewal of the Cold War with the West. Offering fascinating insights into a range of themes across the period, this book is valuable reading for all those interested in twentieth-century European, Russian and Jewish history. Cover Half Title Title Copyright Contents Preface Acknowledgments Chapter 1: Europe in Decline (But Not Yet Finished) Europe—Th e Years Ahead Better Fifty Years of Europe than a Cycle of Cathay (Locksley Hall) No Abyss, No Apocalypse Islamic Fascism, Islamophobia, Anti-Semitism: A Postscript Lessons from Oslo The Refugees are Coming Muslims in Europe “An Anxious Continent” Spiegel Interview, July 26, 2013 Chapter 2: Jews in the Twentieth Century Degenerate Art and the Jewish Grandmother The Terrible Secret: A Second Look Love in the Shadow of Death The Scholems On Russian Jewry Today Timothy Snyder: Th e Newton of the Holocaust? The Walter Benjamin Brigade Hitler’s Jews: Max von Oppenheim and the Myth of German Jewish Guilt Oppenheim Biographer Lionel Gossman Responds to Walter Laqueur’s Review Chapter 3: Russia after the Soviet Union Détente Plus? How Should the West Deal with Russia? The Russian Enigma: Is the Bear Turning East? Anti-Semitism and the New Russian Idea Confabulation? Russian Nationalism: Going Back to the Roots The Russian Party under the Soviets Central Asia—Toward 2050 Toward a New Russian Ideology Author’s Postscript Chapter 4: Observations Cyber Warfare Nazi Germany: Secret Reports? Who Needs Geography? Luethy and Brecht: Martyrdom in Hollywood Megaloglossa Old Age A Historical Education: A Wanderer between Several Worlds Notes Bibliography