From ancient times to modernity, antisemitism has endured as one of the most persistent forms of hatred. For thousands of years, as society embraced new ideas and discoveries - including the birth of Christianity and Islam, the enlightenment, the rise of nationalism and globalism, and great leaps of technology - the Jewish people served as a dark mirror on which fears, anxieties and hatreds have been reflected. Why? In this crucial and unflinching history, Sir Simon Schama, the acclaimed British historian, examines the forces that have enabled this old hatred to surface, adapt and thrive, even in the age of liberal democracy. With his characteristic blend of clarity, erudition and curiosity, Schama looks at the recurring beliefs and imagery that have coursed through the variants of antisemitism, including the latest outbreaks since the October 7 attacks and the war in Gaza. The Shortest History of Antisemitism is a compelling and revealing exploration of the stains of the past and their echoes today.