Alphonse Toussenel - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Somonini meets him half way through the novel in a Paris bookstore. I have no idea yet whether he plays any part in the story. In spite of some familiarity with 19th century European political writing, i am continually surprised by the frequency and ease with which anti-Semitic and other ethnocentric ideas roll of the lips and pentips of otherwise seemingly rational and intelligent people. Yes, Western Europe had abolished slavery and admitted Jews to citizenship, but ethnocentrism was as ugly in Europe as in the United States, and as stupid. The "enlightened" minds could still not consider social structure. history. culture and socialization as primary causes
