"This book of essays offers a significant reappraisal of discussions of antisemitism and philosemitism, shedding light on the historical and cultural meanings of philosemitism, a topic too often ignored. An outstanding group of contributors demonstrates that analysis of philosemitic attitudes is as crucial to the history of representations of Jews and Jewish culture as are investigations of antisemitism. They show that, like antisemitism itself, philosemitism has highly complex ideological and political underpinnings, assumes myriad forms of representation, serves a variety of social and cultural purposes, and is disseminated in a multitude of ways. In the process, they significantly complicate fee presumption that ambivalence toward Jews by non-Jews and outright hatred are the principle sentiments shaping modern representations of Jews and Jewish culture."--BOOK JACKET.