Explore the lives of radical thinkers whose ideas continue to divide and shape our world in a new mini set from the prizewinning Jewish Lives series.

Ayn Rand: Writing a Gospel of Success
By Alexandra Popoff

“Compelling” —Joshua Rubenstein
A deeply researched biography of the prominent and divisive writer Ayn Rand, whose pro-capitalist novels and nonfiction have influenced three generations of Americans

Karl Marx: Philosophy and Revolution
By Shlomo Avineri

“Former director-general of Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, paints a nuanced picture of the development of Marx’s ideas.” —The Jewish Daily Forward
A new exploration of Karl Marx's life through his intellectual contributions to modern thought

Power and piety collide in this pairing of an ancient ruler and a sage whose teachings outlasted empires. Explore how they shaped Jewish antiquity in a new mini set from the prizewinning Jewish Lives series.

Herod the Great: Jewish King in a Roman World
By Martin Goodman

“Larger than life” —Erich S. Gruen
A vivid account of the political triumphs and domestic tragedies of the Jewish king Herod the Great during the turmoil of the Roman revolution

Rabbi Akiva: Sage of the Talmud
By Barry W. Holtz

“Lively and thought-provoking”—Publishers Weekly
A compelling and lucid account of the life and teachings of a founder of rabbinic Judaism and one of the most beloved heroes of Jewish history

Three thinkers who changed how we understand the mind, the universe, and the search for meaning. Explore their extraordinary lives in a new mini set from the prizewinning Jewish Lives series.

Becoming Freud: The Making of a Psychoanalyst
By Adam Phillips

“An audacious book” —The New Yorker
From one of the world’s foremost authorities on Sigmund Freud comes a strikingly original biography of the father of psychoanalysis

Spinoza: Freedom’s Messiah
By Ian Buruma

“Splendid” —Avishai Margalit
Ian Buruma explores the life and death of Baruch Spinoza, the Enlightenment thinker whose belief in freedom of thought and speech resonates in our own time

Einstein: His Space and Times
By Steven Gimbel

“Incisive” —The Times of London
A revealing new portrait of Albert Einstein, the world’s first scientific “superstar”

Three leaders who turned an ancient dream into a modern nation. Explore their enduring legacy in a new mini set from the prizewinning Jewish Lives series.

Theodor Herzl: The Charismatic Leader
By Derek Penslar

“Excellent” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
A masterful new biography of Theodor Herzl by an eminent historian of Zionism

Ben-Gurion: Father of Modern Israel
By Anita Shapira

“A beautiful portrayal” —Shimon Peres, President of Israel (2007-2014)
An insightful study of the inner life of the Zionist leader responsible for the creation of the state of Israel

Golda Meir: Israel’s Matriarch
By Deborah E. Lipstadt

“Thoughtful” —Kirkus Review
A balanced biography of Golda Meir, who was both adored and abhorred, from award-winning author Deborah E. Lipstadt

Brilliant and boundary-breaking, these performers redefined American comedy and culture. Explore their remarkable lives in a new mini set from the prizewinning Jewish Lives series.

Mel Brooks: Disobedient Jew
By Jeremy Dauber

“Entertaining and enlightening” —Kenneth Turan
A spirited dive into the life and career of a performer, writer, and director who dominated twentieth-century American comedy

Groucho Marx: The Comedy of Existence
By Lee Siegel

“Delightfully perverse”—The New York Times Book Review
A trenchant examination of an iconic American figure that explores the cultural and psychological roots of his comic genius

Barbra Streisand: Redefining Beauty, Femininity, and Power
By Neal Gabler

“Fascinating and insightful”—The Wall Street Journal
An enthralling appreciation of the monumentally gifted popular artist and cultural icon who challenged Hollywood’s standards of beauty and glamour