Read my cancer diary, now online. Featured in The Council of Dads.
The Latest Book from Bruce
Moses and the American Story
In this groundbreaking book, New York Times bestselling author Bruce Feiler reveals how Moses became America’s true founding father. Traveling through touchstones in American history, Feiler traces the biblical prophet’s influence from the Mayflower through today. Feiler visits the island where the pilgrims spent their first Sabbath, climbs the bell tower where the Liberty Bell was inscribed with a quote from Moses, retraces the Underground Railroad where “Go Down, Moses” was the national anthem of slaves, and dons the robe Charlton Heston wore in The Ten Commandments. READ MORE
My Daughters, My Illness, and the Men Who Could Be Me
When bestselling author Bruce Feiler was diagnosed with a malignant tumor in his leg, he could only imagine all the walks he might not take with his daughters, the ballet recitals he would miss, the art projects left undone, and the aisles he might not walk down. Though his daughters would have plenty of resources in their lives, they wouldn’t have their Dad. He decided to write to six men who had been with him throughout his life- men who could become his voice and his daughters’ Council of Dads. READ MORE
Read Bruce’s cancer diary.
Bruce's latest news
Listen to my 1-hour interview about Moses on NPR’s Diane Rehm Show.
The Atlanta History Center has posted a video of my talk about AMERICA’S PROPHET. It lasts about an hour.
America’s Prophet
Moses and the American Story
Whenever the USA has experienced hard times it has turned to the Exodus story for direction, inspiration and hope. The Pilgrims quoted his story. Franklin and Jefferson proposed he appear on the U.S. seal. Washington and Lincoln were called his incarnation. The Statue of Liberty was molded on his image. Martin Luther King invoked him the night before he died. Barack Obama casts his presidency in his image. As they face another moment of national anxiety – and ask, What is the meaning of America? What are our values? Will we rise again? Moses once more holds the clues and points the way. In his boldest book to date, Bruce Feiler visits the island where the Pilgrims spent their first Sabbath, climbs the bell tower where the Liberty Bell was inscribed with a quote from Moses, retraces the Underground Railroad where Go Down, Moses was the national anthem of slaves, and dons the robe Charlton Heston wore in The Ten Commandments. Meticulously researched and highly readable, “America’s Prophet” is a thrilling, entirely original work of history that will forever change how we view America, faith and the future.
Critical Praise
“This is one of the most original, intelligent and endlessly fascinating books I have read in years: it should become a set book for anyone wanting to know what truly makes America tick”—Simon Winchester
“With a journalist eye and an adventurers spirit, Bruce Feiler brings his prodigious gifts of biblical analysis to a reconsideration of Moses as the essential prophet of the American Experience. This is an accessible and engaging book of indispensible insight.”—Tony Horwitz
“What a smart, original, and deeply intriguing reflection on the role Moses played – yes, Moses – U.S. history. America’s Prophet is Bruce Feiler at his innovative best: compelling, sweeping and engaging. Highly recommended!”—Douglas Brinkley
“Feiler confidently concludes that the major themes of Moses’ story continue to shape America and affect the lives of countless Americans, such as Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. Fascinating and thought provoking.”—Booklist, starred review