To Jerusalem and Back: A Personal Account.

BELLOW, Saul.

$550.00

Item Number: 86448

New York: The Viking Press, 1976.

First edition of the Nobel Prize-winning author’s account of his journey to Jerusalem. Octavo, original half cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper in the year of publication, “To Mr. Bergstrom, who asks excellent questions Chicago, Nov 1, 76 Saul Bellow.” The recipient was journalist Goran Bergstrom. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Photographs by Albert Margolies.

This extraordinary book is the result of Saul Bellow's sojourn in Israel in 1975. A personal record of his stay-his experiences and impressions-as well as a meditation, it crackles with wit and controversy on America's relationship with this embattled country. Using quick sketches and vignettes, Bellow captures the personal opinions, passions, and dreams of several Israelis, and he also adds to these his own reflections on being Jewish in the 20th century. The varying viewpoints of those he encounters and interviews offer a revealing look at the history and challenges of Israel, and Bellow's passionate storytelling draws listeners in to share in his experience.