The book is an intriguing book, detailing so many events and issues that are relevant to the Jewish body. By body, I mean the physical and spiritual body of an individual, and the body of a people, within the all-encompassing aspects of a group of individuals.

From Jewish holidays and celebrations to birth and circumcision, menstruation, death and burial, Jewish boxers, and Jews obsessed with the idea of changing their physical appearance, The Jewish Body holds a wealth of theories and thought-provoking content. Some of it isn’t necessarily what readers might want to see, such as how Konner includes those Jews who were thugs, street smart Jews, those who ran prostitution rings, etc. It is all there, enhanced within the pages of the book. The social, the genetic, the psychological, the flavors and tastes of the Jewish body in all its formats is explored. The details are amazing, and Konner’s thoughts on how the environment they were surrounded by influenced the Jews, and how the Jews influenced their environment is sagacious in many aspects. Konner’s writing is smart, precise, thought-rendering, and a powerful compilation and study on the Jewish people.

Physical appearance and strength are major issues within the pages. Konner addresses the holidays and celebrations, the drinking and festivities. Konner gives the reader a lot to ponder, as they read the pages. He touches on genetics (similarities between Jews and non-Jews in certain areas of the world), habits, fertility, and sex.

He writes in depth about fertility and man’s perception of women. He elaborates as to why men prefer women who don’t necessarily look Jewish. Those women have smaller noses, might have blond hair, might look more youthful, etc. Konner sees this as being intertwined with the issue of fertility. It is an ideal, a dream of Jewish men. The younger the woman, the more she is able to conceive and bear children. Many women had nose surgery in order to alter their appearance, and had surgery because smaller noses were more appealing to men. The way others view Jews has had an effect on the way some women (and men, too) want to present themselves to the world, in Konner’s view. They desire to affect attention through fitting in, and not through their Jewish features.

Konner believes that the Holocaust did a lot for the resulting identity crisis and the physical assimilation of Jews. From his perspective, Jews wanted to change their physical appearance in order to blend in and fit better with their environment. This is especially true of Jews who emigrated to America. Once in America, many Jews wanted to forget their Jewish identities, forget the familial and environmental tapestry of their lives.

There is a chronology at the back of the book that is informative. The book is infused with illustrations, pen and ink examples and photographs. Much of the text is written from a philosophical perspective, with scientific examples included. From head to toe, the external Jewish body is verbally examined in minute detail. The internal body is examined as far as the organs go. The soul is illuminated, and the contrasts of the physical Jewish body with the spiritual body is compared.

I like Konner’s biblical references to the Jewish body, and the pride the Jews have in their bodies and in their faith. He compares the respect they had for “physical prowess” to that of the Greeks. From Abraham to David, etc., he infuses the strength of the Jews within the book, but also the pitfalls of strength and power. He also mentions that some diseases are unique to a certain sector of the Jewish people, such as Ashkenazi Jews (Tay-Sachs, etc.).

The Jewish Body is a fantastic in glimpse into the physical aspect of Jews. The Jewish body of one individual, and the Jewish body of a group of people is written about with extreme clarity. The book delves into the relationship between strength and the people (both as individuals and as a historical group of people) and the fortitude and ideals that were necessary in order to create a homeland for Jewish people.

Konner is an anthropologist, and it shows in his writing, and in the word imagery he presents the reader in order to support his theories. His presentations are detailed in every aspect. His thoughts on genetics are fascinating, although he doesn’t necessarily have definitive or affirmative answers to the subject discussed. He is articulate, precise and vivid in his details. The Jewish Body is an extremely intriguing book, giving the reader a look at Jewish individuals from a unique perspective. It left this reader thinking on various subjects due to the compelling subject matter. The book enthralled me, held me from the first page. I could go on and on with my thoughts, but I will stop here, other than to say this: I recommend The Jewish Body, by Melvin Konner to everyone.

I want to thank Shocken Books for the review copy. I am glad to have been given the opportunity to read and review this book.
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Tuesday September 1, 2009 – 12th of Elul, 5769