The Literary Mafia

“Lambert explores the intertwining of Jewishness, nepotism and publishing through the prism of key literary relationships, including those between editors and authors, professors and protégés, and celebrated writers and their children. He dissects in painstaking detail their letters, diaries, reviews, blurbs and general correspondence from the 1940s until the early millennium.”—Guilia Mille, Times Literary Supplement

“Lambert’s conclusion—that today’s culturally disenfranchised groups could glean novel strategies from the triumph of the Jews—is both timely and original in an industry embroiled in a permanent revolution over inclusiveness.”—Paul Goldberg, Jerusalem Post

“Readers with an interest in the industry will find plenty of insights.”—Publishers Weekly

“Essential for readers interested in the history of 20th-century U.S. literature.”—Library Journal

Finalist for the 72nd National Jewish Book Award, American Jewish Studies category

“The Literary Mafia is a thorough, unflaggingly intelligent, and original study of Jewish presence in American literary institutions during the twentieth century and after. A pleasure to read.”—Evan Brier, author of A Novel Marketplace

“At every turn, The Literary Mafia looks forward by looking backward. Josh Lambert’s shrewd, astringent account of Jews as novelists, critics, editors, and publishers provokes us to envision tomorrow’s news: the wholesale transformation of American letters with a fresh and diverse array of voices.”—Esther Schor, author of Bridge of Words: Esperanto and the Dream of a Universal Language

“Catnip for anyone fascinated by the intricacies of the publishing world, this subtle and judicious book investigates an insufficiently examined aspect of American Jewish cultural history while posing important questions—about who decides which books get published, and why—that resonate strongly in the present.”—Ruth Franklin, author of Shirley Jackson: A Rather Haunted Life

“From the very first page, this book is funnier and more gripping than a book on publishing has any right to be. Anyone interested in America’s intellectual or Jewish history must read this, and anyone looking for an engrossing story should.”—Emily Tamkin, author of Bad Jews