Finding Ruby: The Bright and Dark Sides of a Family’s Fervent Idealism - Couverture souple

Rothman, Richard

Couverture souple

ISBN 10 : 1916797628 ISBN 13 : 9781916797628

Editeur : Whitefox Publishing, 2024

Synopsis

Richard Rothman never knew his grandfather, who left behind a wife and young daughter to fight—and die—in the Spanish Civil War. What drove a young, idealistic New Yorker with everything to live for to leave it all behind? This lucid investigation into a family history will explore the social idealism and selfless passions that drew the author’s grandfather into the Communist Party and, in 1937, onto the bloody front lines in Spain. But his search will also reveal the darker truths behind treasured family lore, as Rothman discovers how fervent idealism blinded not only his grandfather, but also other family members to ugly realities of the movement to which they devoted their lives.

Written with compassion and insight, Finding Ruby takes the reader on a journey from the trenches in the Spanish Civil War to the courtrooms of the segregated South in the epic case of the Scottsboro Boys, which helped launch the Civil Rights movement.

This deeply personal story sheds light on not only one family, but an entire swathe of American history.

“A thoroughly engrossing, sweeping detective story. Rothman deftly takes the reader on a page-turning journey of discovery, through the Spanish Civil War, the Communist Party, obscene poetry, the trial of the Scottsboro Boys, with cameos from Jimi Hendrix and Joe Cocker. At once an exploration of one family's unique history, and a reflection on what moves any of us to pursue our passions-for better or worse.” David Cole, Legal Director, ACLU, author of Engines of Liberty

“In this touching and beautifully written memoir, we accompany Rich Rothman on a bold exploration of his family's past, as he tries to understand why both his grandfathers, first-generation Jewish immigrants in the United States, enlisted as volunteers to fight fascism in Spain. Finding Ruby grants us a revealing glimpse into a forgotten chapter of U.S. history whose relevance is arguably greater today than it has been in a long time.” Sebastiaan Faber, author of Exhuming Franco: Spain's Second Transition

“In Finding Ruby Rich Rothman weaves together the intersecting threads of his family history, the Spanish Civil War, the American Communist Party and the U.S. Civil Rights Movement into a compelling fabric that is part carefully researched history and part pure literary enchantment.” Tom Glocer, former CEO of ThomsonReuters

Détails de l'édition

• Éditeur: Whitefox Publishing
• Date d'édition: 2024
• Langue: anglais
• ISBN 10: 1916797628
• ISBN 13: 9781916797628
• Reliure: Broché
• Nombre de pages: 308
• Coordonnées du fabricant: Manufactured by Amazon on behalf of the author; https://www.amazon.fr/hz/contact-us; ; c/o Amazon Media EU S.à.r.l., 38 Avenue John F. Kennedy; Luxembourg; L-1855; Luxembourg