Humanite

1939 — 231, [1] pages. 9.2" x 6.3". Waton (1871-1959) was a Jewish philosopher keenly interested in the works of Marx and Spinoza. In the Foreword, dated 1939, he states "I convinced myself that human society is irresistibly and inevitably moving towards state capitalism and fascism. Further reflection also convinced me that this social transformation would inevitably bring upon the Jews great suffering. How could the Jews face this world situation? This question occupied my mind for the last twelve years. At last I reached the conclusion which I embodied in a program for the Jews. When the Jews declared war against Nazi Germany and fascism (in 1933), I saw that as a suicidal policy. Thus passed more than five years of ever-increasing suffering for the Jews. When the situation became so grave that the Jews themselves began to realize the gravity of the situation, the Spinoza Institute of America asked me to formulate my program." On page 199 he adds "We have to face the fact that the Leader of the German people has no doubt in his mind that the Jewish problem is the centre of all problems, not merely in Germany, but in the world. It is useless to dismiss this as an illusion, because if it is, it demands explanation. But it is no illusion." Brilliant gilt lettering upon front board. Light external wear. Binding tight. Faint patches of soiling to boards. Occasional light pencil marginalia and underlining until page 21. Moderate age-toning to contents. It is left to readers to ponder the impact Waton's program could have had upon twentieth-century history. Book