When Lytton Strachey wrote his Eminent Victorians in 1918, the Victorian period was clearly finished. Queen Victoria herself had died in 1901 and when one looked back at her reign from beyond World War I’s killing fields of Ypres and the Somme, the distinguishing features of the 19th century already felt like history. The four folks he wrote about were long dead. The era was gone.

If the title of David Denby’s book, “Eminent Jews,” seems familiar, it should. It’s a deliberate shout-out by the author to Lytton Strachey’s famous 2017 work, “Eminent Victorians.” Like Strachey a century earlier, Denby examines the life of four well-known figures in “Eminent Jews,” However, unlike Strachey, who viewed most of his subjects critically, Denby finds much to admire in Leonard Bernstein, Mel Brooks, Betty Friedan, and Norman Mailer, whom he discusses at length in the four mini-biographies that comprise “Eminent Jews.” As 100-page biographical essays, these sections are entertaining and informative. However, when Denby tries to tie his subjects’ accomplishments to their religion, he is less successful.

In “Eminent Jews,” Denby selected well-known celebrities in what may be broadly categorized as the “Arts and Entertainment” fields. He doesn’t include those who became prominent in more academic (and less visible to the public) occupations, such as judges or scientists. Denby adds a brief introductory chapter and a slightly longer concluding chapter, where he attempts to demonstrate that his subjects’ undeniable impact on American life was tied to their Jewishness. The author acknowledges their relatively non-religious lives and the lack of overt Jewish themes in much of their work. However, he also notes: “Their relation to Judaism was less formal than emotional and temperamental, and, as they made art, advanced their ideas, they jumped away from elements in Jewish cultural tradition even as they gained strength from it. They were free in ways that Jews had never been free in any society of the past.”

The author’s last sentence is undeniably correct. Post-World War II America was the first place where referring to someone as a Jew was no longer an automatic slur. Mel Brooks clothed himself in his religion in every script he wrote or routine he performed (although he largely avoided stereotypical themes like Jews’ supposed cheapness). Leonard Bernstein went to great lengths to stage performances in Israel and other venues of religious significance for Jews. However, people rarely thought of Betty Friedan as a Jewish feminist. (The author notes that many of her fellow feminists of the era were also Jewish.) Also, while Norman Mailer’s best novel, “The Naked and the Dead” (1948), contains two significant Jewish characters, the book adopts the typical view of its era that World War II combat units were “melting pots,” composed of men from all segments of American society.

Although each of Denby’s subjects could easily support a full-length biography, he packs a lot of content (much of which will be new to most readers) into these 100-page chapters. He is especially interested in the business end of his subject’s careers—how they got in front of the public. Betty Friedan’s seminal work, “The Feminine Mystique,” was rejected by several magazine publishers before she expanded it into what became a runaway best-selling book. After 1960, Norman Mailer’s success was predicated mainly on works commissioned by periodicals, such as his report on the 1967 anti-Vietnam War march on the Pentagon, which became his Pulitzer Prize-winning “Armies of the Night.” Leonard Bernstein collaborated with various artists over a decade to bring his theatrical works, such as “West Side Story,” to Broadway. Mel Brooks first caught the public’s attention when he made a series of best-selling comedy albums about the 2,000-Year-Old Man with co-creator Carl Reiner.

The author also devotes considerable attention to the upbringings of his eminences, mostly in middle-class households of the 1920s and 1930s. They were all the objects of anti-Semitism to some degree, especially in college, but the author can’t tie those experiences specifically to their later lives. Denby’s material on his subjects’ romantic lives will be far more interesting for most people. Only Mel Brooks had a long, successful marriage (to actress Anne Bancroft). Betty Friedan’s husband, Carl Friedan, consistently abused her while she was researching and writing “The Feminine Mystique.” Norman Mailer had six wives (one of whom he stabbed after an argument, which resulted in his being charged with assault) and many mistresses and one-night stands. Leonard Bernstein had an outwardly perfect family life with his wife and children, while he had several gay affairs and casual encounters.

Denby’s discussion of his four eminences extends to various acquaintances, with two- to three-page biographical sketches of several of them, mostly those who were Jewish. The gay Jewish composer Aaron Copland became Bernstein’s mentor while the latter was in college. Betty Friedan worked and later clashed with Jewish feminists like Bella Abzug and Gloria Steinem. Mel Brooks’ big break came when he was hired as a writer on Sid Caesar’s television show. Occasionally, however, the author’s diversions become distractions. He devotes several pages to the career of Austrian conductor Herbert von Karajan, whose life and career roughly parallel Bernstein’s. His “feud” with Bernstein was well-publicized in classical music circles. Still, that rivalry gets much less attention than the several mentions of von Karajan’s career before he ever met Bernstein.

David Denby brings a unique, valuable perspective to “Eminent Jews.” He conducted many interviews with Brooks and Mailer. As a journalist and film critic, he is highly familiar with the book’s subject matter. He also conducted exhaustive research on his subjects. However, the book sometimes becomes more about Denby than his eminences. His efforts to tie their careers to their religion are occasionally dense and boring. He also seemed to lose interest in the later stages of Friedan and Mailer’s careers, giving the last decades of their lives short shrift. Still, the book contains an abundance of fascinating content about four celebrities with whom I had a generally superficial prior knowledge. That information is more than enough to make “Eminent Jews” eminently worthwhile.

NOTE: The publisher graciously provided me with a copy of this book through NetGalley. However, the decision to review the book and the contents of this review are entirely my own.

Thank you to NetGalley for this e-copy of Eminent Jews by David Denny in exchange for a honest review.This is an interesting, well-researched book about many famous Jewish-Americans and the mark they made on American culture.From composers like Leonard Bernstein to author Betty Friedan and filmmaker Mel Brooks these are some of the players discussed in this book.Lots of amusing antidotes about how these famous Americans achieved success while overcoming anti-semitism .

The author explores the evolution of the American Jew in a post-war world via four eminent figures; Mel Brooks, Betty Freidan, Norman Mailer, and Leonard Bernstein. In the chapters devoted to each icon, he explore their lives and their genius. Starting with early childhood and their immigrant parents background, the author explores how being Jewish shaped who they are and how they navigated the world. The relentless drive to work, to teach, to have families, to make a difference, underline all four subjects. The author weaves their Jewish identity into their relationships, their work, and their impact on American society. Mel made us laugh, Betty made us question, Norman made us mad, and Leonard made us feel.

My gratitude to NetGalley and Henry Holt & Company for this pre-published book. All opinions expressed are my own.

A deep dive into some eminent Jews. I immediately turned to the section on Betty Friedan and was totally captivated. Very readable and informative!

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. Very timely!

A finely-wrought and deeply felt dive into four "Eminent Jews" who left an enduring footprint not only on American society. This is exactly what I expected from one of my favorite film critics turned cultural historian/biographer. Eminently readable!

Eminent Jews; Bernstein free Dan Brooks and Mailer by David Denby, I rated this book 3 stars despite the fact that had five star material what I didn’t like about the book is there were things in it that were either repeated, pointless and or made the book just too long. Although I learned a lot about those I knew like Mel Brooks and Norman Mailer I also became familiar with David Bernstein who I had heard of but didn’t know quite what he did and Betty free Dan who I had never heard of. The only thing that connects them is their religion Judaism and the fact they all were in or adjacent to entertainment. These books could’ve been released as standalone and although I am glad I read it I think with a little editing this really could be a five star read. since the beginning of time Jewish people have been scapegoat for many things and so these people in the midst of the hatred became popular despite it. I love Mel Brooks and have read Norman Mailer’s books and now getting to know Bernstein and free Dan I can honestly say I admire what they’ve done.#NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview, #DavidDenby, #EminentJews,#HenryHoltAndCompany,

David Denby's basic thesis is that in the first half of the century Jewish Americans tended to lay low while often downplaying their Jewishness, but that their children flourished in the second half of the century as they more blatantly challenged norms of culture and propriety and became major influences on American society. The four mini-biographies he offers - Mel Brooks, Betty Friedan, Norman Mailer, and Leonard Bernstein - are prime examples of eminent Jews who were (in Denby's words) 100% American and 100% Jewish.

I really loved this book even if the discussions of Mel Brooks (presumably chosen over Woody Allen) and Betty Friedan (perhaps the most influential of those profiled) were merely sufficient. Denby really shines when covering the incredibly lively, prolific and scandalous careers of Mailer (I would have chosen Philip Roth, but that's a matter of personal taste) and Bernstein. The two of them simply come alive - warts and all. While all of the biographies required research, it seemed that the Mailer and Bernstein sections were supplemented by a lifetime of fandom.

The entire book is worth your time, but I certainly wouldn't judge you if you jumped straight to the Mailer and Bernstein chapters.

Thanks to Macmillan and Netgalley for providing a copy for early review.

This book examines in detail the lives of four Jewish individuals and their effect on society and Jewish culture. Each of them represents specific areas of the arts and culture. This contribution to the body of knowledge about Jewish people seems particularly applicable to American society at this time. Historical information is also provided, as well as resources for further research and reading. The book would be of particular interest to readers who seek to learn more about history and contributions of Jewish people in America.

I received this book from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

I would like to thank Net Galley and Henry Holt for the opportunity to read this book as an ARC. This book is a discussion of 4 prominent people, Mel Brooks, Betty Friedan, Leonard Bernstein and Norman Mailer. It is a discussion of their lives, their careers and the their Jewishness. The writing on this book strikes an odd tone, part biography, part lecture, part criticism. I am not sure just what the author was intending, but at times it was hard to follow. If you do not know much about these 4 , you might want to read it to get a better image of them and their work. I have read several books about each one, and did not get a lot of new information.I am also curious as to how he picked these 4, the preface and notes do not give many clues. Again, thanks for the opportunity.

Leonard Bernstein, Mel Brooks, Betty Friedan, and Norman Mailer. Brilliant, brash, yet soulful, they were 100 percent Jewish and 100 percent American. They upended the restrained culture of their forebears and changed American life. Important story about Jews, the blessed race from God.

A book that’s equal parts biography as well as a cultural and sociological examination of four Jewish American trailblazers.

These are historical figures I’ve heard of but did not really know. Sure, some of their stories have made it to the big screen. While others’ creativity are featured on bookshelves or discussed on college campuses. Still others, have graced the stages of NYC.

What influenced their work, their childhoods and their Jewish cultural identity is explored in detail. The author does not flinch from sharing their flaws. And that makes their stories even that more interesting.

This took much longer to read given the amount of detail the author expended but the reader will only leave the read with more knowledge of these extraordinary individuals when that last page is turned.

This ARC was provided by the publisher, Henry Holt and Company via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I did not realize that there were only 4 profiles that were going to be examined, but nevertheless, I did enjoy learning how Judaism impacted each one’s life and careers.

American Liberty Unlocked Jewish Genius
I could list pages andAm pages of Jewish contributions to medicine, music, politics and more contributions. David Denby chose four famous American Jews: Mel Brooks (comedy including significant satire); Leonard Bernstein, (music original composer and teacher); Betty Friedan, (politics and opening America to the role of women), and Norman Mailer, (literature and philosophy).

They are 100% Jewish and 100% American. The Jews have sometimes survived significant anti-Semitism in this country and the rest of the world. Denby’s writing is clear and honest. He was writing about intellectuals and impacted the reader and American culture.

Despite the raw talent and outrage of Denby’s master changers of American life, it is shocking to know that there are a total of less than 16 million Jews in the world, 7.3 million live in Israel, 8.5 millions outside of Israel, and only 6.3 million in the United States. And yet these small group of people has made your laugh, listen to remarkable music, and enjoy having Novocain at the dentist, using digitalis for your heart and keeping your children alive with the Salk vaccine.

Denby writes with candor and does not omit their impact on American culture.

My gratitude to NetGalley and Henry Holt & Company for this pre-published book. All opinions expressed are my own.

First off, I'd like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read the ARC of this book.

This book was fun! As a Jewish person myself, I loved a fun read through some of the famous Jews throughout history. It's such an enjoyable read, light-hearted, with a nice cover and illustrations. I especially enjoyed the focus on non-pop culture people, like Betty Friedan. This would make a great gift for Jewish folks in your life, friends who love trivia or celebrities, or who are interested in history.