Jay Geller
@jaygeller.bsky.social
Professor of History, scholar of the German-Jewish experience, biographer of Gershom Scholem and family, and devotee of modernist architecture and design.
UK edition: "Dame und Herr im Restaurant" by Lesser Ury
Spanish edition: a photograph by Alfred Eisenstaedt
Italian edition: "Kaffeehausszene Paris" by Lesser Ury
French edition: "Strassenszene Mit Frau, Berlin" by Lesser Ury
5/5
Spanish edition: a photograph by Alfred Eisenstaedt
Italian edition: "Kaffeehausszene Paris" by Lesser Ury
French edition: "Strassenszene Mit Frau, Berlin" by Lesser Ury
5/5
November 11, 2025 at 1:34 PM
UK edition: "Dame und Herr im Restaurant" by Lesser Ury
Spanish edition: a photograph by Alfred Eisenstaedt
Italian edition: "Kaffeehausszene Paris" by Lesser Ury
French edition: "Strassenszene Mit Frau, Berlin" by Lesser Ury
5/5
Spanish edition: a photograph by Alfred Eisenstaedt
Italian edition: "Kaffeehausszene Paris" by Lesser Ury
French edition: "Strassenszene Mit Frau, Berlin" by Lesser Ury
5/5
I'm also fascinated by the choice of cover art, which is about representing the book's content and having appealing marketing.
German edition: "Berliner Straße im Regen" by German-Jewish artist Lesser Ury (1925)
US edition: "Hochbahnhof Bülowstraße bei Nacht" by Lesser Ury (1922)
4/5
German edition: "Berliner Straße im Regen" by German-Jewish artist Lesser Ury (1925)
US edition: "Hochbahnhof Bülowstraße bei Nacht" by Lesser Ury (1922)
4/5
November 11, 2025 at 1:25 PM
I'm also fascinated by the choice of cover art, which is about representing the book's content and having appealing marketing.
German edition: "Berliner Straße im Regen" by German-Jewish artist Lesser Ury (1925)
US edition: "Hochbahnhof Bülowstraße bei Nacht" by Lesser Ury (1922)
4/5
German edition: "Berliner Straße im Regen" by German-Jewish artist Lesser Ury (1925)
US edition: "Hochbahnhof Bülowstraße bei Nacht" by Lesser Ury (1922)
4/5
In the British English, Italian, Spanish, and French translations, the title is provided as "Effingers: A Berlin Saga."
Perhaps the original title wasn't descriptive enough for readers in London, Rome, Madrid, and Paris. Perhaps including "A Berlin Saga" was good marketing.
3/5
Perhaps the original title wasn't descriptive enough for readers in London, Rome, Madrid, and Paris. Perhaps including "A Berlin Saga" was good marketing.
3/5
November 11, 2025 at 1:11 PM
In the British English, Italian, Spanish, and French translations, the title is provided as "Effingers: A Berlin Saga."
Perhaps the original title wasn't descriptive enough for readers in London, Rome, Madrid, and Paris. Perhaps including "A Berlin Saga" was good marketing.
3/5
Perhaps the original title wasn't descriptive enough for readers in London, Rome, Madrid, and Paris. Perhaps including "A Berlin Saga" was good marketing.
3/5
One thing I find interesting, however, is the representation of the title. In the original German and in the American English translation, the title is simply "Effingers."
2/5
2/5
November 11, 2025 at 1:10 PM
One thing I find interesting, however, is the representation of the title. In the original German and in the American English translation, the title is simply "Effingers."
2/5
2/5
Hang on, when did reading become so performative?
November 10, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Hang on, when did reading become so performative?
Der Kommentar der Tagesschau beeindruckt mich: „Heute geht es [...] um eines: Das Leben in Freiheit und deren unschätzbarer Wert. Eine Freiheit, die im Osten von Mödlareuth fehlte.“
Dennoch stimmten 2/3 der lokalen Wähler für Parteien, die möglicherweise nicht vollständig demokratisch sind.
Dennoch stimmten 2/3 der lokalen Wähler für Parteien, die möglicherweise nicht vollständig demokratisch sind.
November 10, 2025 at 1:59 AM
Der Kommentar der Tagesschau beeindruckt mich: „Heute geht es [...] um eines: Das Leben in Freiheit und deren unschätzbarer Wert. Eine Freiheit, die im Osten von Mödlareuth fehlte.“
Dennoch stimmten 2/3 der lokalen Wähler für Parteien, die möglicherweise nicht vollständig demokratisch sind.
Dennoch stimmten 2/3 der lokalen Wähler für Parteien, die möglicherweise nicht vollständig demokratisch sind.
Danke für den Hinweis.
Leider versenden viele Verkäufer keine Pakete mehr in die USA. Amerikanische Freunde von mir haben in letzter Zeit bei Amazon[.]de bestellt, aber die Pakete sind noch nicht angekommen (wahrscheinlich stecken sie im Labyrinth des amerikanischen Zolls fest).
Leider versenden viele Verkäufer keine Pakete mehr in die USA. Amerikanische Freunde von mir haben in letzter Zeit bei Amazon[.]de bestellt, aber die Pakete sind noch nicht angekommen (wahrscheinlich stecken sie im Labyrinth des amerikanischen Zolls fest).
September 26, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Danke für den Hinweis.
Leider versenden viele Verkäufer keine Pakete mehr in die USA. Amerikanische Freunde von mir haben in letzter Zeit bei Amazon[.]de bestellt, aber die Pakete sind noch nicht angekommen (wahrscheinlich stecken sie im Labyrinth des amerikanischen Zolls fest).
Leider versenden viele Verkäufer keine Pakete mehr in die USA. Amerikanische Freunde von mir haben in letzter Zeit bei Amazon[.]de bestellt, aber die Pakete sind noch nicht angekommen (wahrscheinlich stecken sie im Labyrinth des amerikanischen Zolls fest).
Question for the historians of European-US relations or historians of social movements in Europe:
At the height of the Vietnam War (c. 1968-1973), there were lots of demonstrations in Europe against America’s war. Was there a mass movement for a blanket boycott of the United States and its citizens?
At the height of the Vietnam War (c. 1968-1973), there were lots of demonstrations in Europe against America’s war. Was there a mass movement for a blanket boycott of the United States and its citizens?
September 20, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Question for the historians of European-US relations or historians of social movements in Europe:
At the height of the Vietnam War (c. 1968-1973), there were lots of demonstrations in Europe against America’s war. Was there a mass movement for a blanket boycott of the United States and its citizens?
At the height of the Vietnam War (c. 1968-1973), there were lots of demonstrations in Europe against America’s war. Was there a mass movement for a blanket boycott of the United States and its citizens?
Yes, it’s an excellent book.
August 29, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Yes, it’s an excellent book.
I should warn you that while it’s a paperback, it’s not short. It’s more than 800 pages, densely printed, with small-sized font.
However, each chapter is only 5–10 pages long. So it can be read in small segments without feeling overwhelmed or lost.
However, each chapter is only 5–10 pages long. So it can be read in small segments without feeling overwhelmed or lost.
August 29, 2025 at 3:27 PM
I should warn you that while it’s a paperback, it’s not short. It’s more than 800 pages, densely printed, with small-sized font.
However, each chapter is only 5–10 pages long. So it can be read in small segments without feeling overwhelmed or lost.
However, each chapter is only 5–10 pages long. So it can be read in small segments without feeling overwhelmed or lost.
It’s rare that I can say this, but right now, I’m reading an advance copy of a novel, and I cannot put it down. I’m completely immersed in it.
I highly recommend @nyrb-imprints.bsky.social’s English translation of Gabriele Tergit’s “Effingers,” available for purchase on November 11.
I highly recommend @nyrb-imprints.bsky.social’s English translation of Gabriele Tergit’s “Effingers,” available for purchase on November 11.
August 29, 2025 at 2:36 PM
It’s rare that I can say this, but right now, I’m reading an advance copy of a novel, and I cannot put it down. I’m completely immersed in it.
I highly recommend @nyrb-imprints.bsky.social’s English translation of Gabriele Tergit’s “Effingers,” available for purchase on November 11.
I highly recommend @nyrb-imprints.bsky.social’s English translation of Gabriele Tergit’s “Effingers,” available for purchase on November 11.
The Japanese writer Masashi Matsuie called the 19th century "the age of iron and glass."
August 12, 2025 at 10:51 PM
The Japanese writer Masashi Matsuie called the 19th century "the age of iron and glass."
The Indian writer Amit Chaudhuri, writing of Berlin, called department stores “the [20th] century’s cathedrals.”
July 1, 2025 at 2:09 AM
The Indian writer Amit Chaudhuri, writing of Berlin, called department stores “the [20th] century’s cathedrals.”
“'Etz chayim hi,' Dude, as the ex used to say.”
Can anyone recommend (scholarly?) readings on Jewish identity in modern America through the lens of Coen Brothers films?
(I already know the special issue of _AJS Review_ on "A Serious Man.")
Can anyone recommend (scholarly?) readings on Jewish identity in modern America through the lens of Coen Brothers films?
(I already know the special issue of _AJS Review_ on "A Serious Man.")
February 3, 2025 at 12:29 AM
“'Etz chayim hi,' Dude, as the ex used to say.”
Can anyone recommend (scholarly?) readings on Jewish identity in modern America through the lens of Coen Brothers films?
(I already know the special issue of _AJS Review_ on "A Serious Man.")
Can anyone recommend (scholarly?) readings on Jewish identity in modern America through the lens of Coen Brothers films?
(I already know the special issue of _AJS Review_ on "A Serious Man.")
It is extraordinary that same man who coined the expression "the International Style" (for modern architecture in the style of the Neues Bauen) also coined the phrase "cathedrals of the nineteenth century."
January 18, 2025 at 4:27 AM
It is extraordinary that same man who coined the expression "the International Style" (for modern architecture in the style of the Neues Bauen) also coined the phrase "cathedrals of the nineteenth century."
When later scholars use the expression with quotation marks and expressly cite _The Building News_, they are almost certainly relying on Henry-Russell and assuming that his use of the expression is a quotation from _The Building News_, without bothering to check for themselves.
January 18, 2025 at 4:22 AM
When later scholars use the expression with quotation marks and expressly cite _The Building News_, they are almost certainly relying on Henry-Russell and assuming that his use of the expression is a quotation from _The Building News_, without bothering to check for themselves.
I think I have an answer.
The CONCEPT was first proposed in 1875 in the journal _The Building News_. However, the EXACT EXPRESSION was first used in 1951 by Hitchcock Henry-Russell in the journal _The Architectural Review_.
The CONCEPT was first proposed in 1875 in the journal _The Building News_. However, the EXACT EXPRESSION was first used in 1951 by Hitchcock Henry-Russell in the journal _The Architectural Review_.
January 18, 2025 at 4:13 AM
I think I have an answer.
The CONCEPT was first proposed in 1875 in the journal _The Building News_. However, the EXACT EXPRESSION was first used in 1951 by Hitchcock Henry-Russell in the journal _The Architectural Review_.
The CONCEPT was first proposed in 1875 in the journal _The Building News_. However, the EXACT EXPRESSION was first used in 1951 by Hitchcock Henry-Russell in the journal _The Architectural Review_.
Interesting. I also found that the the French writer Théophile Gautier called train stations "the cathedrals of the new humanity."
January 16, 2025 at 12:59 AM
Interesting. I also found that the the French writer Théophile Gautier called train stations "the cathedrals of the new humanity."
If you're looking for a book to assign in a course on the Holocaust, I strongly recommend Oberbrechen: A German Village Confronts its Nazi Past.
Done as a graphic history, it tells the story of the Holocaust/NS years, Holocaust memory, and Vergangenheitsaufarbeitung in one West German village.
Done as a graphic history, it tells the story of the Holocaust/NS years, Holocaust memory, and Vergangenheitsaufarbeitung in one West German village.
December 11, 2024 at 1:16 AM
If you're looking for a book to assign in a course on the Holocaust, I strongly recommend Oberbrechen: A German Village Confronts its Nazi Past.
Done as a graphic history, it tells the story of the Holocaust/NS years, Holocaust memory, and Vergangenheitsaufarbeitung in one West German village.
Done as a graphic history, it tells the story of the Holocaust/NS years, Holocaust memory, and Vergangenheitsaufarbeitung in one West German village.