Johannes Reuchlin and the Campaign to Destroy Jewish Books

Throughout early sixteenth century Germany, attempts were made to confiscate and destroy Jewish books, in order to end the practice of Judaism throughout the empire. An unlikely champion emerged in Johannes Reuchlin, who wrote a passionate defense of Jewish writings and legal rights in 1510. Now commonly called "Germany's first humanist," Reuchlin laid the foundation for the first Christian study of Jewish history and theology, and for Luther's nascent Reformation movement. David H. Price offers a compelling study of Reuchlin's writings and their enduring impact on Jewish-Christian relations.