Julius Rosenwald: The Man Who Built Sears, Roebuck and Advanced the Cause of Black Education in the American South

At first glance, a reader might well ask how one tells the tale of a self-effacing philanthropist not found in today's standard history books. The author (Spertus Inst. of Jewish Studies, Chicago), a grandson of Rosenwald, makes a valiant attempt to resurrect the image of the influential individual who founded Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry, which originally bore his name. Rosenwald was a first-generation German American Jew who made a fortune developing the Sears Roebuck of catalog fame. However, he felt a greater calling in life than merely amassing money and power. This biography focuses primarily on Rosenwald's charitable endeavors and his efforts to address racial issues in America. As we associate Andrew Carnegie with libraries, we should similarly associate Rosenwald with schools in the South. He was a progressive who, among other philanthropies, helped to build 5300 schools for African American students in 15 states. This book is a great start in giving Rosenwald the attention he deserves. It would work well in libraries with large business, African American studies, and/or Jewish studies collections.-Paul Kaplan, Lake Villa Dist. Lib., IL Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information. Hardcover, 392pp, Publisher Indiana University Press ISBN: 0253347416