Gavin I. Langmuir's work on the formation and nature of antisemitism has earned him an international reputation. In History, Religion, and Antisemitism he bravely confronts the problems that arise when historians have to describe and explain religious phenomena, as any historian of antisemitism must. How, and to what extent, can the historian be objective? Is it possible to discuss Christian attitudes toward Jews, for example, without adopting the historical explanations of those whose thoughts and actions one is discussing? What, exactly, does the historian mean by "religion" or "religious"?

Langmuir's original and stimulating responses to these questions reflect his inquiry into the approaches of anthropology, sociology, and psychology and into recent empirical research on the functioning of the mind and the nature of thought. His distinction between religiosity, a property of individuals, and religion, a social phenomenon, allows him to place unusual emphasis on the role of religious doubts and tensions and the irrationality they can produce. Defining antisemitism as irrational beliefs about Jews, he distinguishes Christian anti-Judaism from Christian antisemitism, demonstrates that antisemitism emerged in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries because of rising Christian doubts, and sketches how the revolutionary changes in religion and mentality in the modern period brought new faiths, new kinds of religious doubt, and a deadlier expression of antisemitism. Although he developed it in dealing with the difficult question of antisemitism, Langmuir's approach to religious history is important for historians in all areas.

Gavin I. Langmuir, a distinguished medievalist, is Professor of History at Stanford University and the author of Toward a Definition of Antisemitism (California, 1990).

"The learning, passion and unflinching integrity Mr. Langmuir has devoted to unraveling the history of antisemitism show why he is a teacher of legendary reputation, as well as a scholar of high distinction."—R. I. Moore, New York Times Book Review

"Langmuir shows a profound understanding of the roots of religious sensibility and of the transrational, yet not antirational, character of religious discourse. . . . A marvelously interdisciplinary work, [History, Religion, and Antisemitism] is a real tour de force."—Franklin Sherman, The Christian Century

"An ambitious, stimulating, original work that emerged out of the author's longstanding investigation of medieval anti-Semitism and grew into a fresh analysis of the most basic concepts confronting historians of religion. . . . Will have to be read with care not only by Jewish historians but by anyone with a serious interest in the history or sociology of religion and prejudice."—David Berger, American Historical Review

"Langmuir critically probes the vast literature on the nature of religion—the work of Emile Durkheim, Clifford Geertz, Robert Bellah, Mircea Eliade, William James, and others. He finds standard definitions and descriptions wanting, but his appraisals brilliantly survey the basic worlds that have shaped religious studies."—Charles H. Lippy, Church History

Winner, Scholarship Category, of the1991 National Jewish Book Award