Eminent Jews

In this engaging exploration, David Denby presents the lives and impact of four iconic figures—Leonard Bernstein, Mel Brooks, Betty Friedan, and Norman Mailer—who were not only profoundly influential in shaping American culture but also shared a deep Jewish identity. Working in diverse fields, they collectively transformed music, social norms, and perspectives on gender relations during a pivotal time in American history. Celebratory yet candid, Denby portrays them as complex individuals, marked by ambition and vulnerability as they navigated their newfound freedoms in post-World War II America.