Israel Zangwill / J. A. Hammerton
Originally published in 'Harper’s Magazine' in 1903 and 1904, 'Italian Fantasies' is a 1910 work by British author Israel Zangwill (1864-1926). Highly recommended for those with an interest in Italy and Italian history. Contents include: 'Of Beauty, Faith, And Death - A Rhapsody By Way Of Prelude', 'Fantasia Napolitana - Being A Reverie Of Aquariums, Museums, And Dead Christs', 'The Carpenter’s Wife - A Capriccio', 'The Earth The Centre Of The Universe - Or The Absurdity Of Astronomy', 'Of Autocosms Without Facts - Or The Emptiness Of Religions', etc. Israel Zangwill was a leading figure in cultural Zionism during the 19th century, as well as close friend of father of modern political Zionism, Theodor Herzl. In later life, he renounced the seeking of a Jewish homeland in Palestine. A notable portion of Zangwill’s work concentrated on ghetto life and earned him the nickname 'the Dickens of the Ghetto'. Other notable works by this author include: 'Dreamers of the Ghetto' (1898), 'Grandchildren of the Ghetto' (1892 ), and 'Children of the Ghetto: A Study of a Peculiar People' (1892). This classic work is being republished now in a new edition complete with an introductory chapter from 'English Humourists of To-Day' by J. A. Hammerton.