C-SPAN Book Discussion on The Elected and the Chosen
I recently gave a brief description of 13 of the 44 presidents I discuss in The Elected and the Chosen.
Here is the first ten minutes on youtube.com
Here is the full talk on C-SPAN.org
The Elected and the Chosen: Why American Presidents Have Supported Jews and Israel
"Fascinating"- Dr. Daniel Pipes, Publisher of the Middle East Quarterly
"A splendid book"- Professor Bernard Lewis, A Leading Expert on Islam and the Middle East
"I was shocked when I read this book to find out how much I didn't know... It is a must read for all who care about maintaining a critical alliance so important to the United States and to Israel."- Harvard Professor Alan M. Dershowitz
The Elected and the Chosen: Why American Presidents Have Supported Jews and Israel This book reveals how and why, almost without exception, American presidents sought to protect Jews at home and abroad from their often deadly enemies. It explains why American presidents have admired and befriended Jews, appointed them to powerful positions, and eventually helped them achieve their greatest dream: a return to the country of their forebears and the establishment of a Jewish state in which they were masters of their destiny. Based on once-secret documents and little-known diaries, The Elected and the Chosen discloses, for the first time, the close ties that have bound American presidents and the Jews from the dawn of American history.
Professor Alan M. Dershowitz wrote, "This book reveals how and why, almost without exception, American presidents sought to protect Jews at home and abroad from their often deadly enemies. It explains why American presidents have admired and befriended Jews, appointed them to powerful positions, and eventually helped them achieve their greatest dream: a return to the country of their forebears and the establishment of a Jewish state in which they were masters of their destiny. Based on once-secret documents and little-known diaries, The Elected and the Chosen discloses, for the first time, the close ties that have bound American presidents and the Jews from the dawn of American history."
You can find it on amazon.com now.
"A splendid book"- Professor Bernard Lewis, A Leading Expert on Islam and the Middle East
"I was shocked when I read this book to find out how much I didn't know... It is a must read for all who care about maintaining a critical alliance so important to the United States and to Israel."- Harvard Professor Alan M. Dershowitz
The Elected and the Chosen: Why American Presidents Have Supported Jews and Israel This book reveals how and why, almost without exception, American presidents sought to protect Jews at home and abroad from their often deadly enemies. It explains why American presidents have admired and befriended Jews, appointed them to powerful positions, and eventually helped them achieve their greatest dream: a return to the country of their forebears and the establishment of a Jewish state in which they were masters of their destiny. Based on once-secret documents and little-known diaries, The Elected and the Chosen discloses, for the first time, the close ties that have bound American presidents and the Jews from the dawn of American history.
Professor Alan M. Dershowitz wrote, "This book reveals how and why, almost without exception, American presidents sought to protect Jews at home and abroad from their often deadly enemies. It explains why American presidents have admired and befriended Jews, appointed them to powerful positions, and eventually helped them achieve their greatest dream: a return to the country of their forebears and the establishment of a Jewish state in which they were masters of their destiny. Based on once-secret documents and little-known diaries, The Elected and the Chosen discloses, for the first time, the close ties that have bound American presidents and the Jews from the dawn of American history."
You can find it on amazon.com now.
Memo to Book Publishers
I have completed two novels, not yet published. Here are the first four chapters of the first one, The Writer.
The Seven Lives of Colonel Patterson: How an Irish Lion hunter Led the Jewish Legion to victory
Brian's latest book is, The Seven Lives of Colonel Patterson: How an Irish Lion hunter Led the Jewish Legion to victory. (Syracuse University Press, 2008).
In this biography of Colonel John Henry Patterson, Denis Brian reveals his subject to be a composite of diverse identities. An Irish-born soldier, lion hunter, bridge builder, East African game warden, author, man-about-town, and Zionist, Patterson's life is a fascinating story, and Brian's well-researched account gives a revealing look into the ebb and flow of circumstances that produced such a colorful character.
Brian begins the narrative with Patterson's assignment in East Africa, where lion attacks were terrorizing workers on a railroad project. With the sure hand of the storyteller, Brian details accounts of Patterson quelling the rebellion and killing the lions himself. The colonel's indomitable energy and courage become a consistent theme in the book as the author traces Patterson's life from his days as a British socialite to his command of the Jewish Legion of volunteers who helped drive the Turks out of Palestine.
Patterson spent most of his later years as an ardent Zionist, working for the creation of a Jewish homeland until his death in 1947, a year before the birth of the state of Israel. Drawing on an impressive range of sources, Brian's biography of this "Righteous Gentile" is an incisive portrait of a key figure in both Israeli and colonial British history.
"Brian delivers a charming biography of a modern Irish hunter and hero Patterson by highlighting his whole range of achievements: from hunter to war hero to family man. Patterson is portrayed as a most ambitious adventurer, risking his life during multiple African safaris--during an East African hunt in which he bested the man-eating lions terrorizing railroad workers-- as a commander in World War 1, and a fierce unlikely warrior for Zionism. Brian offers personal letters between Patterson and his wife, Frances, which show the lighthearted, expressive side of this otherwise tenacious man. Coupled with Brian's extensive research, it is difficult not to be drawn into this multi-faceted account of a driven hero and his time. Chapters are chronological but also topical, making his long and varied career easy to index, The first full-length biography of Patterson's lifre, it is also provocative, insightful and thorough." Publishers Weekly, 7/28/2008 .
You can find it on amazon.com now.
In this biography of Colonel John Henry Patterson, Denis Brian reveals his subject to be a composite of diverse identities. An Irish-born soldier, lion hunter, bridge builder, East African game warden, author, man-about-town, and Zionist, Patterson's life is a fascinating story, and Brian's well-researched account gives a revealing look into the ebb and flow of circumstances that produced such a colorful character.
Brian begins the narrative with Patterson's assignment in East Africa, where lion attacks were terrorizing workers on a railroad project. With the sure hand of the storyteller, Brian details accounts of Patterson quelling the rebellion and killing the lions himself. The colonel's indomitable energy and courage become a consistent theme in the book as the author traces Patterson's life from his days as a British socialite to his command of the Jewish Legion of volunteers who helped drive the Turks out of Palestine.
Patterson spent most of his later years as an ardent Zionist, working for the creation of a Jewish homeland until his death in 1947, a year before the birth of the state of Israel. Drawing on an impressive range of sources, Brian's biography of this "Righteous Gentile" is an incisive portrait of a key figure in both Israeli and colonial British history.
"Brian delivers a charming biography of a modern Irish hunter and hero Patterson by highlighting his whole range of achievements: from hunter to war hero to family man. Patterson is portrayed as a most ambitious adventurer, risking his life during multiple African safaris--during an East African hunt in which he bested the man-eating lions terrorizing railroad workers-- as a commander in World War 1, and a fierce unlikely warrior for Zionism. Brian offers personal letters between Patterson and his wife, Frances, which show the lighthearted, expressive side of this otherwise tenacious man. Coupled with Brian's extensive research, it is difficult not to be drawn into this multi-faceted account of a driven hero and his time. Chapters are chronological but also topical, making his long and varied career easy to index, The first full-length biography of Patterson's lifre, it is also provocative, insightful and thorough." Publishers Weekly, 7/28/2008 .
You can find it on amazon.com now.
Einstein: A Life
His non-fiction includes a biography of Einstein titled Einstein: A Life, (Wiley, 1997), of which Nobel prize winner George Wald wrote,” A delightful and captivating account of one whom I had the joy of knowing and loving,” and the Times of London judged “The best account” and praised it for “superb insight.” This book can be purchased online at amazon.com.
Here is a brief interview I gave on the subject for BookTV
Here is a brief interview I gave on the subject for BookTV
The Curies: A Biography of the Most Controversial Family in Science
Brian’s most recent biography, The Curies: A Biography of the Most Controversial Family in Science (Wiley, 2005), received starred reviews from both Publishers Weekly and Booklist. Publishers Weekly stated “Brian’s book illuminates 100 years of scientific history in its political and social context through the lives of this remarkable family. Extremely well done and highly recommended.” Booklist said “The second daughter, Eve, won plaudits for her brilliant biography of her mother, Madame Curie (1937). This composite study belongs on the same shelf as that acclaimed work.” The book can be found online at amazon.com.
Sing Sing: The Inside Story of a Notorious Prison
Brian’s history, Sing Sing: The Inside Story of a Notorious Prison,(Prometheus, Books, 2005), according to Sister Helen Prejean, author of Dead Man Walking, “provides a penetrating, unforgettable look into the horrors as well as the acts of kindness and generosity that make the true story of Sing Sing so compelling.” This book can be purchased at amazon.com.
The True Gen: An Intimate Portrait of Hemingway by Those Who Knew Him
Of his Hemingway biography, The True Gen: An Intimate Portrait of Hemingway by Those Who Knew Him, (Grove, 1988), Elmore Leonard wrote, “Some time ago I stopped reading Hemingway not wanting the man’s persona ,true or false, to influence the respect I had for his prose. Then along came The True Gen, and it’s irresistible.” George Seldes called it was the best biography of Hemingway he’d ever read, and he’d read plenty. This book can be purchased at amazon.com.
Genius Talk: Conversations With Nobel Scientists and Other Luminaries
Of Brian’s Genius Talk: Conversations With Nobel Scientists and Other Luminaries, Science Teacher wrote, “Provocative at times, frequently amusing, and always insightful,” and Kirkus Reviews wrote: “Well written, provocative and full of interesting portraits of the leading thinkers of our age.” This book can be purchased at amazon.com.
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