This work investigates the phenomenon of Jewish self-hatred and the historical tendency of certain Jewish intellectuals to align with movements or ideologies hostile to Jewish survival. Edward Alexander, a scholar of Jewish literature and history, utilizes a series of biographical and critical case studies to examine how specific figures have historically distanced themselves from their heritage. The book argues that this internal opposition serves as a recurring pattern in modern intellectual history, often resulting in the promotion of ideas that undermine the security and identity of the Jewish people.

Scholars and critics often note the polemical nature of Alexander's prose, which challenges prevailing academic trends regarding Jewish identity. The text is frequently cited as a provocative contribution to the study of modern Jewish political thought and the complexities of internal communal dissent.