A fascinating book, both in form and subject. As I began reading the first part, which details the beginnings of Zionism and the eventual creation of the Galveston Movement, I found myself forgetting that this was a family memoir. It was, by far, the most interesting and successful section of the book. I also really enjoyed the focus on Israel Zangwill. However, I remain torn about the author's decision to depend solely on quotes from primary sources to create the narrative. Parts were immensely readable, particularly when I was able to skim over the provenance of source material. Yet, at times, I found myself wondering: what else did this newspaper article say? How would I understand this quote differently if it hadn't been taken out of its original context and placed alongside other, contemporary newspaper articles/letters/diary entries? What does it mean to pull a quote from a newspaper published in Hull, England, for example, and place it alongside something excerpted from Kansas City paper? Surely, no one would have read those two papers together at the time. I appreciate the questions the author raises about how we write history in using this form, but I also think I would have enjoyed hearing more from her about her experiences—this is, after all, her family's story. Still, the history told here is important, and I think, presented in a way that is accessible and interesting for the lay reader. 4 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

An excellent read for any and all readers! Author comes at you with both barrels and knocks you out of your shoes! Great job fleshing out all the characters. I give this book FIVE stars! Definitely recommend!