A starred review of Pumpkinflowers from Publishers Weekly: Friedman, an Israeli journalist and writer, recounts the history of a hilltop bunker in southern Lebanon that was held by the Israeli army during the 1990s, beginning with the biography of a young soldier stationed there and transitioning into a memoir of his own time on the hill and his post-war visit as …
The Continuing Mysteries of the Aleppo Codex (Tablet Magazine)
From Tablet, an update on developments in the story of the Aleppo Codex in the two years since the book was published: I am not sure I expected the story of the long-forgotten Aleppo Codex, the perfect copy of the Hebrew Bible, to occupy me for very long after the publication of my book on the subject in 2012. I thought I …
“Le Codex D’Alep”
The French version of “The Aleppo Codex” — “Le Codex D’Alep” — has just been published by the wonderful people at Albin Michel. (More details here.) I spotted the book myself at Gagnani Books on the Rue de Rivoli, right next to the Louvre:
To the Best of Our Knowledge
The mystery of the Aleppo Codex is featured on this week’s episode of the great US public radio show To the Best of Our Knowledge. The episode is devoted to the idea of the “magic book,” and is well worth a listen in its entirety: For the whole episode, click here. For the segment on the Aleppo Codex, click here. …
2014 Sami Rohr Prize
Some incredible news this evening (Nov. 7) from the Jewish Book Council: I have been awarded the 2014 Sami Rohr Prize for The Aleppo Codex. The Rohr Prize is the biggest Jewish literary award and one of the biggest in general. The previous winners are a distinguished group, it is a tremendous honor, and I am grateful to the judges, …
Q&A with the Jewish Book Council
The lovely folks at the Jewish Book Council are doing a Q&A with each of this year’s five Sami Rohr Prize finalists about writing nonfiction, inspiration, good reads, and other book-related things. A link to my Q&A is right here.
Religion Newswriters Association book award
The RNA — that would be the Religion Newswriters Association, not the Romantic Novelists’ Association, which I’m sure is also a wonderful organization — recently announced their annual awards, including one for the year’s best religion books. The Aleppo Codex picked up second place. It’s a pleasure to be recognized by pros, and I’m grateful to the judges for choosing my book. …
2014 Sami Rohr Prize finalists announced
The five finalists for the 2014 Sami Rohr Prize have been announced, and I was thrilled to hear that The Aleppo Codex is one of them. The Rohr Prize is the biggest in the world of Jewish literature, and one of the biggest in general. This year’s other finalists are Jews and Booze: Becoming American in the Age of Prohibition, by Marni …
2013 Canadian Jewish Book Award
I was thrilled be informed that The Aleppo Codex has been awarded the 2013 Canadian Jewish Book Award in the history category. The awards were announced in Toronto yesterday, May 2. Thanks to the judges and the folks behind the award; it’s lovely to have my work honored in my hometown. More on the award and the other winners here. …
2013 Sophie Brody Medal winner
I was thrilled to be notified today that the American Library Association has awarded The Aleppo Codex the 2013 Sophie Brody Medal for achievement in Jewish literature. It’s a unique honor to be recognized by people who love and live books. Many thanks to the ALA and the Reference and User Services Association, to the Brodart Foundation, and to the …