Works
"A Granddaughter’s Rite of Passage brightly illuminates the dark history of the McCarthy era. Combining affecting memoir with dogged journalism, Julie Gilgoff takes the reader on a search to piece together her family history and to understand the roots for her own passion for social justice. This is a heart-felt and deeply compelling story."
- Richard D. Kahlenberg, author of Tough Liberal: Albert Shanker and the Battles over Schools, Unions, Race, and Democracy "Fifty years after the end of the McCarthy Era, the story of its impact on blacklisted families has scarcely been told. Julie Gilgoff’s poignant, well-researched memoir is both a tribute to her extraordinary grandfather – teacher, poet and community activist Max Gilgoff - and a rare insider’s view of that “Scoundrel Time.” Threatened with dismissal by the New York City Board of Education, Gilgoff died in 1952 leaving behind a pregnant wife and two young sons. The story of Julie Gilgoff’s nation-wide search for her grandfather’s colleagues, friends and other children of the blacklist, is as compelling a personal tale as it is a valuable historic record." - Lisa Rosenbaum, Author of A Day of Small Beginnings "Julie Gilgoff sets off on a personal journey to discover the contours of her grandfather’s life during the McCarthy period and in the process uncovers a network of committed activists whose children and grandchildren still bear the marks of those persecuted. This book shows us how the past is inescapable and how it shapes our present actions." - Dr. Irena Klepfisz, co-editor of The Tribe of Dina: A Jewish Women's Anthology, Professor of Women’s Studies at Barnard College "A gripping, soul-searching narrative written with passion, historical acumen, and a flair for revisionism. In masterful turns-of-phrase and insightful vignettes, Gilgoff connects strands of seemingly disparate histories; the Civil Rights saga, Communism, the Cold War, and religious intolerance. This book reminds us of the crucible that is the American experience, and speaks boldly across generational divides to achieve the ultimate accomplishment of all—connecting contemporary society to its checkered past by means of redemption. This is a “must read” for all interested in recent U.S. history." - Ben Vinson III, Professor of History and Director of the Center for Africana Studies, Johns Hopkins University The Journey of a Teacher, The Georgetown Journal of Law and Poverty
Gilgoff poignantly sheds light on the issues affecting today’s education system with charter school reform, diversity, and inadequate school funding. She clearly loves her students and her journey in classrooms around the world. Seniors doing their peace, New York Newsday
"Besides providing engaging stories of older volunteers, Gilgoff offers a useful compendium of information about the Corps, including critical concerns such as health care for volunteers." --Ron Roel, Newsday editor |
|
