A new book explores the American Jewish experience through the lens of the Boorstin family. The story begins with Benjamin Boorstin, who arrived in America penniless and without speaking English, but managed to build a life as a peddler and store owner in the South.
His son Samuel became a successful lawyer, and Samuel's son Daniel grew up to be a renowned historian. The book, written by Daniel's son Jon, describes the family's evolution over the 20th century, capturing the American Jewish experience in a unique and personal way.
The book is part biography, part family history, and offers a vivid picture of the Boorstin family's journey. It starts with Benjamin's experiences as a peddler in the late 19th century South, where he encountered friendly gentiles and wary African Americans.
The story then follows Samuel, who became a lawyer despite the family's limited budget, and his involvement in the case of Leo Frank, a man wrongly convicted of murder. Daniel Boorstin emerges as a prominent figure in the book, known for his Pulitzer Prize-winning trilogy The Americans and his work as librarian of Congress.
His son Jon provides a personal and intimate look at his father's life and career, offering insights into the American Jewish experience and the country's cultural and political history. The book offers a fascinating look at the Boorstin family's story, which reflects the broader American Jewish experience.