Denis Brian the Author

Memo to Book Publishers

2008-12-24T07:55:00.000-08:00

I have completed two novels, not yet published. Here are the first four chapters of the first one, The Writer.

The Seven Lives of Colonel Patterson: How an Irish Lion hunter Led the Jewish Legion to victory

2008-07-10T17:33:00.000-07:00

Brian's latest book is, The Seven Lives of Colonel Patterson: How an Irish Lion hunter Led the Jewish Legion to victory. (Syracuse University Press, 2008).
In this biography of Colonel John Henry Patterson, Denis Brian reveals his subject to be a composite of diverse identities. An Irish-born soldier, lion hunter, bridge builder, East African game warden, author, man-about-town, and Zionist, Patterson's life is a fascinating story, and Brian's well-researched account gives a revealing look into the ebb and flow of circumstances that produced such a colorful character.
Brian begins the narrative with Patterson's assignment in East Africa, where lion attacks were terrorizing workers on a railroad project. With the sure hand of the storyteller, Brian details accounts of Patterson quelling the rebellion and killing the lions himself. The colonel's indomitable energy and courage become a consistent theme in the book as the author traces Patterson's life from his days as a British socialite to his command of the Jewish Legion of volunteers who helped drive the Turks out of Palestine.
Patterson spent most of his later years as an ardent Zionist, working for the creation of a Jewish homeland until his death in 1947, a year before the birth of the state of Israel. Drawing on an impressive range of sources, Brian's biography of this "Righteous Gentile" is an incisive portrait of a key figure in both Israeli and colonial British history.
"Brian delivers a charming biography of a modern Irish hunter and hero Patterson by highlighting his whole range of achievements: from hunter to war hero to family man. Patterson is portrayed as a most ambitious adventurer, risking his life during multiple African safaris--during an East African hunt in which he bested the man-eating lions terrorizing railroad workers-- as a commander in World War 1, and a fierce unlikely warrior for Zionism. Brian offers personal letters between Patterson and his wife, Frances, which show the lighthearted, expressive side of this otherwise tenacious man. Coupled with Brian's extensive research, it is difficult not to be drawn into this multi-faceted account of a driven hero and his time. Chapters are chronological but also topical, making his long and varied career easy to index, The first full-length biography of Patterson's lifre, it is also provocative, insightful and thorough." Publishers Weekly, 7/28/2008 .
You can find it on amazon.com now.

Einstein: A Life

2008-06-10T20:27:00.000-07:00

His non-fiction includes a biography of Einstein titled Einstein: A Life, (Wiley, 1997), of which Nobel prize winner George Wald wrote,” A delightful and captivating account of one whom I had the joy of knowing and loving,” and the Times of London judged “The best account” and praised it for “superb insight.” This book can be purchased online at amazon.com.

The Curies: A Biography of the Most Controversial Family in Science

2007-07-10T18:08:00.000-07:00

Brian’s most recent biography, The Curies: A Biography of the Most Controversial Family in Science (Wiley, 2005), received starred reviews from both Publishers Weekly and Booklist. Publishers Weekly stated “Brian’s book illuminates 100 years of scientific history in its political and social context through the lives of this remarkable family. Extremely well done and highly recommended.” Booklist said “The second daughter, Eve, won plaudits for her brilliant biography of her mother, Madame Curie (1937). This composite study belongs on the same shelf as that acclaimed work.” The book can be found online at amazon.com.

Sing Sing: The Inside Story of a Notorious Prison

2006-07-10T19:45:00.000-07:00

Brian’s history, Sing Sing: The Inside Story of a Notorious Prison,(Prometheus, Books, 2005), according to Sister Helen Prejean, author of Dead Man Walking, “provides a penetrating, unforgettable look into the horrors as well as the acts of kindness and generosity that make the true story of Sing Sing so compelling.” This book can be purchased at amazon.com.

The True Gen: An Intimate Portrait of Hemingway by Those Who Knew Him

2005-07-10T20:23:00.000-07:00

Of his Hemingway biography, The True Gen: An Intimate Portrait of Hemingway by Those Who Knew Him, (Grove, 1988), Elmore Leonard wrote, “Some time ago I stopped reading Hemingway not wanting the man’s persona ,true or false, to influence the respect I had for his prose. Then along came The True Gen, and it’s irresistible.” George Seldes called it was the best biography of Hemingway he’d ever read, and he’d read plenty. This book can be purchased at amazon.com.

Genius Talk: Conversations With Nobel Scientists and Other Luminaries

2004-07-10T20:33:00.000-07:00

Of Brian’s Genius Talk: Conversations With Nobel Scientists and Other Luminaries, Science Teacher wrote, “Provocative at times, frequently amusing, and always insightful,” and Kirkus Reviews wrote: “Well written, provocative and full of interesting portraits of the leading thinkers of our age.” This book can be purchased at amazon.com.

The Love Minded

2003-07-10T20:38:00.000-07:00

P.G. Wodehouse wrote of his novel The Love Minded (Prentice-Hall, 1967) “I read it at a sitting and enjoyed every sentence.” Sir Richard Attenborough wrote, “I was tremendously moved by it.” And Samuel Spewack called it, “A superior novel.” This novel can be purchased online at amazon.com.

Murderers and Other Friendly People: The Public and Private Worlds of Interviewers

2002-07-10T20:42:00.000-07:00

Of his Murderers and Other Friendly People: The Public and Private Worlds of Interviewers, (McGraw-Hill, 1973) the National Review thought that :It should be force-read by journalists and it should fascinate everyone else.” And the Library Journal review reads: “Such a beautifully simple idea, one wonders why nobody else had done it quite like this before.” The New Yorker called Brian, “Master of the art of the interview.” This book can be purchased online at amazon.com.