Rating: 
Summary: One sided view
Review: The book is fine overall. The problem that I see is that most of the information was culled from interviews with the self appointed "leaders of Chabad- Lubavitch". Someone suggested only half jokingly that the book be renamed "The Rebbe's Army According the Hierarchy! What she was told, (as is obvious to any one with intimate knowledge of this great movement) is mingled with gross exaggerations and much self promotion. Little if any in depth interviews were given to the common-man Chabadnik. Had Ms. Fishkoff spent the time talking to the average Chasid, she would have been exposed and thus presented to the outside a more accurate picture of the Rebbe's Army.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Book!
Review: The Rebbe's Army by Sue Fishkoff is an excellent exploration into the world of Hasidic Jews, specifically the Chabad Lubavitch. For over a year Fishkoff interviewed members from this group with wonderful reesults for her readers. The account she gives tells us what motivates the Chabad Lubavitch and also explains about their far reaching attempts to engage the greater population in their causes. From a somewhat small group of European Jews led by Rebbe Schneerson, today the Chabad Lubavitch are all over the world engaging and encouraging others to join with them How did they go from a rather small group to a billion dollar organization recognized by celebrities and even the White House. These and many other questions are answered in The Rebbe's Army which I found truly fascinating. If you have any interest in religions and especially this specific group, which has in the past been little understood, you owe it to yourself to read this book.
Rating:
Summary: Simply terrific and compelling
Review: The Rebbe's army is a comprehensive insider's look into the Chabad movement and their commitment to Judaism. Its also the story of what can be done when people have faith in themselves and their mission. Here, Fishkoff takes us around the world to tell the stories of schliach (the Rebbe's messengers) and how they have built synogogues, nursery schools, and run Seders, from Boston to Bangkok, against all odds. Before reading this, I didn't understand what Chabad was and why they were interested in connecting with non-observant and non-traditional Jews. Now, to be frank, I have a new found respect for there commitment and sincerity. I look at the commitment of and example that my Synogogue's Rabbi offers and I think I may need to give him a copy of this book. The individual stories are great and the saga itself is quite remarkable. This is a must read for anyone interested in Jewish renewal, Chasidisim, and Jewish continuity.
Rating:
Summary: Breaking Down The Walls
Review: The Rebbe's Army is a very good account of Judaism today. Sue Fishkoff successfully describes Chabbad's movement to involve all Jews in the aspects of their religion. Fishkoff describes how the Chabad movement has affected many communities around the United States and to some degree abroad. This book makes those of Jewish faith aware of their background and how precious the Torah is. It emphasizes that much of American Jewry is comprimised. Many of these Chabad emisssaries are doing great deeds by trying to bridge the gap between the extremely religious Jews and extremely apathetic ones. It's amazing how the Rebbe's followers aim to find shabbat dinners, mikvah's, kosher food, and sukah kits for all who desire them. There are some very interesting descriptions of the different communites where these emissaries are sent. It's amazing how isolated the Jewish population is in Alaska. More amazing is the central location of this Lubavitch movement on Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn. It's really a relatively poor area with a strong African American presence. Especially interesting was the portrayal of Rebbe Schnerson and the claims of certain followers that he might be the Messiah. It's interesting how this caused some feverish debate in the Jewish community on Eastern Parkway. The important aspect of this Chabad movement is their willingness to go many extra miles to help Jews in need. A fine account of the state of Judaism today.
Rating: 
Summary: Give a good inside the world of Chabad
Review: The Rebbe's Army is a very interesting and open look at the Chabad movement, by an outsider who spent a year on the inside. Sue Fishkoff has written a rather captivating look at the movement and details Chabad's outreach throughout the world. There is very little in the book that has not already been discussed many times. But Fishkoff's narrative is interesting indeed. While well written and engaging, the book unfortunately does not answer two of the most compelling questions: Why didn't Rabbi Schneerson do a better job of repressing the messianic amongst his group, and why didn't he leave a successor. Of course, Fishkoff never met the man so the question will forever remain unanswered.
But for anyone looking to get a look inside the world of Chabad, The Rebbe's Army makes for a very enjoyable read.
Rating:
Summary: Religious and Social Services Outreach Par Excellence
Review: This comprehensive and detailed review of the Chabad Lubavitch Movement's outreach in the United States once again reveals the secret of the success of all such social change movements: a charismatic leader whose power is so generative that it extends beyond his physical presence, and a large group of selfless, dedicated followers. We've seen this over and over again on the national and world scale, yet the present book has a great deal to add to our understanding; it presents the details and process of many of the thousands of individual emissaries of the Lubavitcher Rebbe as they move to their communities of service and reach out, at what some would call great personal sacrifice but which they regard as an inspiring lifetime committment, to perfecting the world according to the teachings of the Rebbe, Chasidism and love of one's fellow man, and the values of the Torah. These values drive and inspire each husband and wife team's actions from the first years of their marriage through the mature years of their social and spiritual services to individuals and the community. Despite the modesty of the author, she has also captured the essence of the Chabad philosophy of man's existence in a tightly-written first chapter thought worthy enough to be excerpted by the New York Times Book Review. The organization, though Jewish in philosophy and rabbinical in leadership, serves non-Jews as well with its focus on the abiding Noachide ethics given to all mankind, and with msny non-sectarian institutions, including drug treatment centers, nursery schools, and other social services. With deep insight and considerable close study, Sue Fischkoff has provided an admirable description and tour that can be a guide and inspiration to the reader. The book is both highly enjoyable and eminently readable and carries my highest recommendation.
Rating:
Summary: class act
Review: This is a well-written book about an interesting movement. Sue Fishkoff is sympathetic to Chabad-Lubavitch, but she doesn't whitewash points of conflict and controversy. She is also adding to the relatively small number of secular studies on the Haredim. Since overall Jewish demographics augur decline, while the ultra-Orthodox birth and retention rates suggest rapid growth, this book is a description of the Jewish future as much as of the Jewish present. A timely and relevant book.
Rating:
Summary: Terrific!
Review: This is a well-written book about an interesting movement. Sue Fishkoff is sympathetic to Chabad-Lubavitch, but she doesn't whitewash points of conflict and controversy. She is also adding to the relatively small number of secular studies on the Haredim. Since overall Jewish demographics augur decline, while the ultra-Orthodox birth and retention rates suggest rapid growth, this book is a description of the Jewish future as much as of the Jewish present. A timely and relevant book.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent look at the current state of the Chabad movement
Review: Through hillarious stories mixed together with explanations of Chabad mysticism, Sue Fishkoff takes the reader around the world to understand what Chabad actually does and why they do it.
From spreading Judaism in Alaska, to attending to Jewish inmates, to influencing US government policy, the reader learns about the wide reach of Chabad.
The book generally gives the reader a favorable impression of Chabad. I continually understood from all the stories and interviews that Chabadnicks genuinely want to improve the world we live in. They do this by bringing God into the public arena (with such controversial actions such as public Menorah's and advocacy for school prayer) and specifically by making Jews more aware of their heritage.
Ms Fisckoff does an excelleng job in conveying to the reader the deep and passionate drive that Chabnicks have in carrying out these missions.
Although I have my misgivings about Chabad(such as their interpretation of Judaism and messianism) I no longer feel that they have any hidden agenda. They simply want to brings Jews back to their faith and make our world more spiritual. They are not a cult but rather a truly philanthropic and loving branch of Judaism.
Rating:
Summary: class act
Review: well-written,well-balanced, and entertaining documentary of Chabad. I will recommend it to all. One cannot help but admire the good that this religious community accomplishes. One person can do much good in this world.
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