American Hebraist: Essays on Agnon and Modern Jewish Literature

Alan Mintz (19472017) was a singular figure in the American Jewish literary landscape. In addition to publishing six authoritative books and numerous journal articles on modern and contemporary Jewish culture, Mintz contributed countless reviews and essays to literary journals, including the New Republic, the New York Times Book Review, and the Jewish Review of Books. Scattered in miscellaneous volumes and publications, these writings reveal aspects of Mintzs scholarly personality that are not evident in his monographs.

American Hebraist collects fifteen of Mintzs most insightful articles and essays. The topics range from the life and work of Nobel Prize winner S. Y. Agnonincluding a chapter from Mintzs unfinished literary biography of that authorto Jewish and Israeli literature, the Holocaust, and a rare autobiographical essay. The chapters are introduced and contextualized by Mintzs longtime colleague and friend David Stern, who opens the book by tracing the arc of Mintzs intellectual career; the volume concludes with a personal essay and remembrance written by Beverly Bailis, the last student to complete a doctorate under Mintzs direction.

Brimming with erudition and intriguing biographical notes, American Hebraist provides new insights into the life and work of one of the twentieth centurys most important scholars of modern Hebrew literature. Students and scholars alike will benefit from this essential companion to Mintzs scholarship.