The Wolf Shall Dwell with the Lamb

by Emmet Hirsch

In the Lebanese village of Bhamdoun in 1931, Joseph Friedmann is born to a 15-year-old Syrian-Jewish girl hastily married off to a Belgian businessman thirty years her senior. After his parents divorce, Joseph's new Christian step-father refuses to rear a Jewish child. At the age of eight, Joseph is banished to a Catholic convent, where he experiences betrayal, anti-Semitism, and a deep trauma he cannot bring himself to name. He learns to survive by locking away his feelings. But at the age of fifteen, he allows himself to fall in love with Isabella, a nun-in-training. This, too, ends in heartbreak. She leaves the convent, taking with her Joseph's unborn child and his hopes of ever belonging in Lebanon.

Joseph sets out on foot toward Palestine, where he takes part in Israel's 1948 War of Independence. He is finally home. But his new country needs his unique set of skills, and Joseph returns to Lebanon as an Israeli spy. Over time, the tools of his trade - daring, violence, deceit, and suppression of self - exact an ever-increasing toll. After twenty years under cover, he completes one final, decisive operation. Now he faces a escape to safety in Israel, or attempt to lay claim to his future by confronting the past - the mother who forsook him; the abbess who abused him; the lover who deserted him.

THE WOLF SHALL DWELL WITH THE LAMB is a literary thriller. This work contextualizes the geopolitical, religious, social and historical realities of the Arab-Israeli conflict and the roots of the current violence in the Middle East. The world needs this novel precisely at this time. The audiobook reminds us of the historical imperatives leading to the founding of the State of Israel, while acknowledging the pain and longing experienced by its Arab citizens and neighbors.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Audiobook, Middle East

356 pages, Paperback

Published May 1, 2026

About the author

Emmet Hirsch grew up in Jerusalem and served as an artillery officer in the Israel Defense Forces. He is now an obstetrician-gynecologist and research scientist. In his creative work, Emmet searches for meaning in a life otherwise driven by data and the laws of nature. These themes are explored in reflections on the intersection between the humanities and medicine, short stories, and in the novels The Wolf Shall Dwell with the Lamb and The Education of Doctor Montefiore.

Reviews

[Stacey B]

Dr. Hirsch,
You wrote a fabulous book and your style and prose is outstanding.
Love the title; which is so apropos as is the documented history.

"And the wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid . . . None shall hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain."

[Grandma Susan]

This was a unique story. It follows Joseph from age 8. He is Jewish and winds up in unique situations. For example, he is sent to live in a convent. I enjoyed the history of Israel’s 1948 War of Independence. George Guidall is the narrator and gives a stellar performance. This is fast paced and kept me wanting more. Highly recommend.

I was blessed with an ALC. Thank you NetGalley and Vermillion Thread Press, LLC. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.

[Catherine]

Provided by Emmet Hirsch, Vermilion Thread Press and Net Galley UK as an ARC in audiobook format.

A time and a place in the future where natural enemies co-exist is a prophecy contained within the Book of Isaiah. It is a peaceful prospect and one which, it is sincerely hoped, will apply universally to mankind one day.

In ‘The Wolf Shall Dwell With The Lamb’, author, Emmet Hirsch, combines a fictional narrative with an actual historic backdrop of the 20th century Arab-Israeli conflict, a state of discord which sadly still prevails. He introduces the reader to Joseph Friedmann, a Jewish boy, whose childhood and beyond is a complex, winding labyrinth of displacement, severed family ties, heartache, warfare and covert reconnaissance. Joseph’s cumulative life experiences either shock or delight. The unexpected hides around every corner so much so that you cannot help but want the very best for him and to protect and shield him from further emotional, psychological or physical trauma.

Hirsch juxtaposes characters firmly entrenched in the Christian, Judaistic or Islamic tradition or cause. Some are wise and offer counsel. Others are idealistic, passionate, sympathetic, endearing or downright evil pursuing their own selfish aims. Within these diverse communities and across the Middle East and Europe, Joseph struggles constantly to establish an identity, to put down permanent roots and to counterbalance frequently encountered hostility with love. The question and primary intrigue are: will Joseph attain a happily ever after outcome?

The dialogue, Hirsch’s descriptive technique and evident breadth of his research for this novel are exemplary. Whilst somewhat lengthy, the book is so well drafted and paced that it maintains your interest throughout. All loose ends are tied up and many wrongs thankfully righted. I loved this story. It was gripping and highly rewarding to listen to. Initially, I wrestled with understanding George Guidall’s diction, but this was in due course overcome. I loved the way he brought every individual to life, especially the abbesses.

Irrespective of differing views in today’s fraught society about religion, about Israel and Palestine, about who should live where, Hirsch’s underlying moral message cannot be ignored: the fundamental commonality of the human condition. I am also indebted to the author for acquainting me with The Count of Monte Cristo and plugging a hitherto gap in my personal library.

[Cindy]

This was a fun, fast-paced read with plenty of substance. The characters are well developed, and the story kept me fully engaged from start to finish. More than once, I felt like the author was reading my mind—just when I started thinking it was time for the story to move forward, it did. The dialogue felt natural and believable (something that I find many newer authors haven’t perfected yet), and it’s clear the author did plenty of research—everything felt authentic, even with all the twists and turns of a spy thriller. The setting is challenging, but handled well. I definitely recommend it!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an early release in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[thewanderingjew]

The Wolf Shall Dwell With The Lamb, Emmet Hirsch, author.
At the age of 15, Ziva’s parents discovered that she was involved with Pierre Haddad, a Christian. Ziva was Jewish. Pierre was sent away to Egypt, and she was forced into an arranged marriage. She bore a son named Joseph while just a child herself. Joseph was an exceptionally bright and mature child, but at the age of 8, his mother, newly divorced and without support, reunited with Pierre. She placed Jospeh in the care of the Mother Superior in a convent in Bhamdoun. Although abandoned, he was raised with affection and devotion by her. He was adaptable and extremely intelligent. Although his education was confined to certain subjects, he read everything he could get his hands on and learned a great deal, but he was fairly naïve in other ways. When the Abbess passed away, the new Mother Superior was a different sort. She was mean spirited and resented the presence of a Jewish male child in her Convent. She mistreated him, and he ran away at the age of 15. He was determined to reach Palestine, believing it would be a place he would finally feel welcome and belong. He arrived there during chaotic times. The Jews were in a fight for their independence, and he fought right alongside them. After Israel became a state, he was recognized for his unique skills and was asked to join their underground army and work in intelligence. He became part of “The Dawn”, a precursor to Israel’s unique intelligence forces, one of which is the Mossad. He spoke Arabic fluently, was a master of disguise, and was trained to become an Arab against the Jewish cause. Joseph then becomes a successful businessman He supplies important information that enables Israel to succeed in its effort to remain independent and secure. Still, the Arabs continuously wage war against Israel. They do not want to share the Middle East. They want to dominate the region and ignore the fact that the Jewish people were there long before they were.
The book explores evil from every angle, and it includes the Christians, Jews, Muslims, et al. Apparently, we are all susceptible to the forces of evil, but to different degrees. When The Holocaust ended, it was hoped that the ship would right itself, but after October 7th , 2021, it was obvious that evil was alive and well. Although the author does not deal with what happened on October 7th, that day taught the world that evil still thrives, and its shadow hangs over this novel. More than a thousand innocent men, women, children, and even animals were tortured and murdered by an invasion of Gazans into Israeli communities, communities that had sought to work in peace with their Arab neighbors. Hostages were taken and tortured, humiliated and murdered for the crime of being Jewish or living in Israel from elsewhere. Although the world has turned upside down today, showing just how deep evil has embedded itself, although the perpetrators of that evil are being praised and the victims maligned, the author holds out the hope that the wolf and the lamb will live in peace together someday.
This book showed me that the Jewish people have a noble, honest cause. They have committed some terrible, shameful acts out of frustration, but they have been few and far between. This book, though a novel, shows how the Arabs have fought the Jews consistently, historically and in the present day. This book expresses the hope that they will one day work together toward peace. Sadly, however, the events of October 7th and the protests by those completely ignorant about what they are protesting, have made that goal seem unattainable for many of us. Still, the book made me proud of being a Jew. The author exposed the flaws and the strengths, the shame and the virtue of the struggle that the Jewish people face and have faced for so long. As it carefully uses history to explain the Jewish claim to the land, the Arab resistance to their peaceful cohabitation and the ongoing conflict continues to make the end goal seem elusive. The novel pretty honestly portrays the behavior of all parties. The difference between the two sides of this conflict is that one honors Judaic values hoping to harm as few as possible, and the other seems to honor continued struggle with indiscriminate casualties. They seem to only want to dominate and control all of the contested land and are unwilling to share it. They want to eliminate the Jewish people “from the river to the sea!” Until they cease that effort, death and destruction will prevail and the wolf and the lamb will remain enemies.
This book made me feel proud, however, proud of having Jewish values, proud of having a homeland, and proud of the Israelis and others who have so courageously supported Israel and the Jewish people, not unconditionally, but realistically, recognizing the importance of Judeo/Christian values, the history of the Jewish people, their struggle for independence, their absolute need for a homeland, not only because they have been oppressed for thousands of years, but because they have contributed to society with their culture, their brilliance, and their bravery, their contributions to the world have earned them their rightful place. At last, in a time when antisemitism has risen alarmingly, there is a book that tells the truth about the Jewish people and Israel, even though it is fiction at its core. Yes, it is a novel, but it is written by someone who has lived in Israel, a person aware of its history of struggle, of its crimes as well as its virtues, of its shame and its righteousness. The author is a person who has served in the IDF and who was as courageous as those early Jews who were fighting for the establishment of a homeland and praying for a time of peace and prosperity for all people. This story explains all there is to know about Judaism, Israel, and the Jewish history that required its creation. It is about devotion to a cause that is honorable and loyalty to a place that makes all Jews feel welcome, a place they can belong without ridicule. Nowhere else are they totally accepted. No longer forced to wander, there is finally a place for the Jewish people to put down their roots again.
Joseph Friedmann seems like the perfect hero, a bit Utopian, perhaps wishful thinking. but his character represents a hopeful promise for the future of Israel. I found the romantic ending a bit like a fairytale, but still enjoyed the book immensely.

[Amie]

Thank you NetGalley, Victory Editing, and the author, Emmet Hirsch, for the audio copy in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.

This is a very thought provoking saga.

The Wolf Shall Dwell with the Lamb is a poignant historical fiction that weaves the history of Syria, Europe, Lebanon, Israel and Palestine along with the best and worst of the three Abrahamic religions into the coming-of-age story turned older-age story of a man named Yosef.

Yosef is born a Jewish orphan in Lebanon. He is raised in a Catholic convent and then released into the world under harsh circumstances. He then is trained as an Israeli soldier and spy living amongst many different groups and experiencing the humanity and inhumanity of so many different types of people.

I absolutely loved the whirlwind ending of this novel as well. There’s nothing like a saga that ties up loose ends and offers a little hope.

I think Emmet Hirsch, the author, really told a complex story and history with care (see author’s note). I hope other readers/listeners will give it a fair chance. I think it also bears mentioning that Dr. Hirsch is a practicing OBGYN and professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Chicago. I was actually drawn to this book, first by the cover and title while browsing NetGalley, then even more after reading his bio because I thought it was such an interesting pivot to go from his daily life as an MD to historical fiction author.

The narration on the audio was well done and I would recommend the audiobook to other listeners.

Do not skip the author’s note.

[Gosia]

4.5 ⭐️

Middle Eastern historical fiction told through the life of Joseph Friedmann, an orphan with two living parents.

Even though the novel reads like a true account, it is fiction - but the historical events woven through it are real. Joseph Friedmann, a Jewish boy rejected by both of his parents, is left at a Lebanese Maronite convent where he endures betrayal and humiliation. At fifteen, he escapes and makes his way toward Palestine. There, he is rigorously trained as a spy and takes part in several dangerous missions to protect Israel. Yet his heart never leaves Isabella, his first love, the girl he was forced to abandon.

Joseph is portrayed as sharp, disciplined, and deeply committed. His purpose becomes the protection of Israel, and the book reflects the historical tensions between Jews and Arabs. Despite the heavy themes, I found myself fully absorbed in Joseph’s journey - from childhood to the end of his life. His story is heartbreaking, but profoundly compelling.

I’m genuinely surprised this book isn’t talked about more. I’m grateful I had the chance to read it, because it’s one of those rare novels you don’t want to miss - rich in history, emotion, and unforgettable storytelling.

[Chava]

The complicated story of Joseph Friedmann will hold the reader's attention to the last page. From his childhood as the lone Jewish boy in a Maronite convent, to his service in the Mossad, to the end of his life (avoiding too many spoilers here), the book combines personal challenges (and triumphs) with the history of the Middle East. Joseph is at the epicenter, sneaking in to Israel before statehood his declared, he uses his intelligence and "street smarts" to aid the nascent state, but at what cost to his own happiness and state of mind?

[Beth]

I loved The Wolf Shall Dwell with the Lamb!

The story begins in 1931. A 15-year-old Jewish girl is married to a 30-year-old man, and together they have a son, Joseph. When Joseph is just 8 years old, he is orphaned by his mother and sent to a Catholic convent in Lebanon, where he is raised by nuns.

Joseph never truly belongs at the convent. As a Jewish boy growing up among Catholic women, he constantly feels like an outsider. Still, he forms a deep bond with Isabella, a young woman training to become a nun. When Joseph is 15, he becomes the victim of a horrific act of cruelty at the hands of the new abbess. After seeking revenge, he flees to Palestine, where he joins Israel's 1948 War of Independence.

Joseph's unusual upbringing, combined with his ability to blend into different cultures and speak multiple languages, makes him an invaluable asset during the formative years of the new nation of Israel. He ultimately dedicates his life to helping build what will become Mossad, sacrificing personal relationships in service of his country.

Yet despite his extraordinary life, Joseph is haunted by the people he lost. As the years pass, he longs to uncover the truth about his mother and to reunite with Isabella, the first woman he ever loved. After enduring so much loss and heartache, can he finally find the peace and happiness he's been searching for?

This is a wonderfully told historical novel filled with fascinating history, adventure, espionage, and emotion. I especially enjoyed how the author wove Joseph's fictional journey through real historical events, making the birth of Israel and the early days of Mossad feel both personal and compelling. If you enjoy sweeping historical fiction with memorable characters and plenty of heart, I highly recommend this one.

[Deb Stern]

Thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing, and the author for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook.

I was a little worried at the beginning because, although George Guidall has been a favorite narrator of mine since I listened to A Land Remembered more than 20 years ago, something about the pacing of his reading felt slightly off at first. I wasn’t sure if it was due to his age or a deliberate tempo meant to match the character’s dialect.

Once I adjusted to the pace, however, it was no longer a hurdle to my listening enjoyment.

I predict this book will become one of those “word-of-mouth” novels that steadily gains traction over time. It embodies exactly what I love about historical fiction. I have very little knowledge of the Middle East, and its history can feel overwhelming to approach, especially given current events and the region’s long history of unrest. But this author introduced me to unfamiliar territory while subtly drawing me deeper into the lives of the characters than I realized at first. Even better, I never saw the twists and turns coming. Nothing is more frustrating than being able to predict every outcome.

I especially appreciated the author’s ability to humanize all sides involved in the conflict. Who is bad? Who is good? A skilled storyteller gives readers perspectives from every side.

As a Huntsville, Alabama resident, I was also tickled to hear Werner von Braun mentioned.

I’ll end this review by saying I was sobbing by the end, tears of both joy and sadness. That’s all I ever ask from a book, though very few writers can truly deliver it. You delivered, Emmet Hirsch.

And finally, Mr. Guidall remains a favorite and beloved narrator of mine.

[Andrea George]

Thank you LibraryThing, Emmet Hirsch, and Vermilion Thread Press for an arc of this captivating novel. "The Wolf Shall Dwell with the Lamb" wasn't the easiest novel to read. To create a plot that was as close to realistic as possible, Dr. Hirsch needed to provide some graphic details that were at times, emotionally difficult to read. With that being said, I found this novel to be extremely well-written. The plot was a "page turner" from the first page to the last. The storyline follows the life of Joseph Friedmann from the time of his birth to the end of his life some 90 years later. During this time, you will read the extraordinary life of a man as he navigates the Middle East during the twentieth century. Joseph finds himself abandoned by his family and raised in a Catholic Convent in Lebanon. At seventeen, his life takes a turn as he leaves for Palestine to take part in Israel's 1948 War of Independence. Based on his intelligence and rare skills, he is recruited as a spy, where he spends the next 20 years of his life. At the end of his illustrious career, he attempts to make contact with his mother and Isabella, the love of his life. Some of Joseph's past relationships do not go as well as planned, others do.
Overall a truly amazing read. This is one that I would highly recommend.

[Leslie aka StoreyBook Reviews]

What a unique storyline. This novel is the life of Joseph, who, at 8, is basically abandoned by his mother to live in a convent and receive his education there. It is important to note that Joseph is Jewish, so a convent is not the first place you would expect him to land. But his mother has ties to this convent, and for her, it was the best place she could think of to leave him. While these years are not easy, you can see his growth into a young man, and what shapes him into the man he becomes.

The author does a wonderful job of weaving history into this novel and the conflicts that still occur in the Middle East. Some of the conflict remains today regarding religious beliefs and freedoms. People's narrow-mindedness is just as true today as it was back then. 

The story starts off a little slowly until it hits about the 30% mark, and from there it becomes faster-paced and draws the reader into the history of the world at that time. I was drawn into Joseph's world and eager to see what would happen next. 

I found this tale intriguing and admire the author for the authentic world he portrayed, and the world he shared drew me in, as if I were there.

We give this book 4 paws up.

[Emmie Mere]

I anticipated getting an interesting story but not one that would feel so relevant. That’s just the heartbreaking truth of the Arab-Israeli history that dates back thousands of years and is mindblowingly still ongoing.

Focusing on the book, it ebbed and flowed for me, not because I was bored but because I wanted to get to the action! I was completely engaged through the first third of the story, lost my way a bit in the middle, and came back toward the end. That being said, I really enjoyed the writing, which felt effortless, beautiful and wonderfully descriptive.

I was captivated by the main character Joseph. Abandoned by his parents and torn from those he loved, Joseph spent much of his life pretending to be someone else. Only after decades living as Khalil, Charles, Mousa, Fadi, and others did Joseph reemerge. I really felt Joseph’s loneliness and desperation for family.

The story itself seems wildly imaginative until you realize so much of it is taken from actual events.

The title—The Wolf Shall Dwell With the Lamb—comes from the Book of Isaiah and insinuates a time where the two adversaries live side by side. It’s hard to imagine that now when peace seems so untenable but it sure would be nice.

I was gifted this book by Library Thing. All opinions are my own.

[Lynda Rosenson]

An Incredible Achievement! I couldn’t put it down and finished it in a few days!

This novel follows Joseph, a Jewish boy born in Lebanon and abandoned by his parents, as he searches for meaning in a life marked by betrayal, tragedy, loss and sacrifice. Time after time, Joseph is beaten down, and on each occasion he calls upon his extraordinary internal resources to find ways to move on. Yet even this remarkable person eventually almost loses his way. Throughout, the reader hopes the hero’s willingness to risk everything will lead him, ultimately, to acceptance and love . Along the way, author Emmet Hirsch treats us to a thrilling adventure told in a lyrical, often poetic, style. The historical research, settings, and use of language are so authentic, you feel that you are there. Especially meaningful to me was the sympathy with which Hirsch portrays decent people, Arabs and Israelis, as they try to survive, both literally and spiritually, in the “minefield” of the Middle East. One of my best reads ever!

[Rachel]

In this sweeping historical novel, debut author Emmet Hirsch tells the story of Joseph Friedmann who is abadoned by both of his parents and left at a covent in Lebanon in 1939. When he escapes as a teenager, he has nowhere to go and ends up fighting with the Palmach during Israel's War of Independence, living on a kibbutz, and working undercover for the "Arab Section," an Israeli intelligence unit made up of spies and undercover agents who are able to pass as Arabs. Thoroughly researched with historical events and figures interspersed throughout, Hirsch takes readers from the creation of the state of Israel to the present day through the eyes of a compelling and sympathetic protagonist. A prolific audiobook narrator, I didn't love George Guidall's accent and could only listen at 1.1 speed (I'm typically at 1.3-1.5!) But I'm looking forward to re-reading the book in print and discussing it with my book groups next year along with hosting an in-person author event with Emmet Hirsch who lives in Evanston!

[Debbie Maskus]

Joseph Friedmann battles his shaky life. As an infant and small child, Joseph and his mother shared a life filled with luxury. Then his father left and basically abandoned them to the wolves. Ziva sent Joseph to a convent to live with the nuns. This special child grew to a brilliant teen-ager possessed of many talents due to his diligence in reading and experimenting. As usual, more hardship must appear, such as the new abbess of the convent who hates all men. She has Joseph castrated and orders him to leave the convent. Only seventeen, Joseph begins his life of fighting for the Jewish community in Israel. Emmet Hirsch writes with beautiful and expressive language. Each scene comes to life under Hirsch’s pen. The fight between the Arabs and the Jews exposes a world of hate and misunderstanding. But Joseph stands as an honorable individual, even though around him cruelty and dishonor remain. My criticism remains that Hirsch delivers too many battles that weary this reader. His use of Joseph’s path to knowledge shine the light on many important events.

[Ora Pescovitz]

I was just captivated by this remarkable book. I listened to the audible edition before the hard copy was released and I finished it in a weekend because it was so engrossing! The story takes place mostly in the middle of the last century in the Middle East and involves the complex interplay between Jewish, Christian and Muslim people. Most of the characters are good people who want to do good things for themselves, their families and their people but the delicate complexities of religion, politics and history cause them to hurt each other and themselves in times of war and identity.

The author has done a phenomenal job of treating these complexities with understanding and empathy while still presenting a true historical context. This is the beauty of historical fiction when mastered as spectacularly as in this one-of-a-kind book. I highly recommend it to everyone trying to understand the issues facing the Middle East today. It is truly a rare find!

[Briann Shear]

The Wolf Shall Dwell With the Lamb by Emmet Hirsch s a fascinating book—a man telling his life story from birth to a fifteen-year-old Jewish mother in Lebanon in 1931 through his circuitous and exciting journey through ninety years of life. It is a book filled with adventure, pain, questions, and ultimately some answers and resolution. We experience the full range of emotions with a backdrop of the middle east —from post WWI, though WWII, the birth of the State of Israel, and its struggles to survive assaults from its neighbors. Ultimately it is a call for the reader to join the protagonist in working for a better world, where "The Wolf Shall Dwell With the Lamb" and as the author says in his Author's Note, "peace and prosperity witll come to all decent people in the MIddle East. I thouroughly enjoyed it as a adventurous story of a remarkable life, and was further intrigued by the serious questions it raised and addressed.

[Ariel Katz]

I just finished this beautiful, interesting, exciting, thoughtful novel. It kept me company in the middle of the night and, unfortunately, kept me awake for a long time reading instead of sleeping because I didn’t want to put it down. This book presents historical fiction in both an entertaining and educational way. Fast-paced, believable, and well-researched, with captivating characters that I found myself caring deeply about.

The book is an excellent introduction to the complex world of the Middle East, and does so respectfully and thoughtfully. It humanizes the difficulties of living in the region and the interesting interplay of different religious faiths.

The author's knowledge of, love for, and respect for the different countries and cultures shines throughout. This book deserves a wide readership.

[Fred Fitzsimmons]

Over the weekend, I read "The Wolf Shall Dwell with the Lamb." It is a truly compelling story! Days later, the memory of it still dwells within me, and I find myself re-reading sections. From the first page to the end, the lyrical writing drew me in and carried me forward. It has a compelling story arc that offers a gripping tale of a man's struggle to overcome personal adversity, lead a valiant, successful effort to defend his country against its aggressors, and eventually achieve personal happiness. Strong characters, in-scene action filled with suspense, tension, and conflict are threaded throughout. The scenic geographic descriptions are a gift to readers like me who have not visited the area, inviting them to appreciate the setting and feel as though they are in attendance and part of the scene. In my opinion, this book deserves consideration for a book award.

[Greg Kerr]

Excellently researched and written historical fiction. The story is plausible during a time of conflict and limited technology.

I though the pace of the story was well timed and the jumps in the timeline were appropriately placed to keep the story moving across decades of time. Sex and cursing were minimally used and like wise appropriate for the story.

Having spent time in Iran, Jordan, Israel and Egypt and could see how someone existing below the social radar could blend in and disappear at will.

The one thing I noticed in Israel, that is mentioned in the story, is how many Jews are not practitioners of the Jewish faith, claiming their right to Israel based solely on their Jewish ethnicity. Of course this flies in the face of Deuteronomy 28.

[Vikki]

The story follows the heartbreaking journey of Joseph from when he was born to his death.

The story unveiled Joseph's life to me to be full of loss, unconsciously feeling the loss of a loved one together with generally feeling lost within himself.

As much as some of the story left me yearning for Joseph to find happiness, he showed a will of steel determination and bravery like no other until he found it.

A deeply moving read covering many events including the history of Israel's 1948 War of Independence which kept my attention throughout.

My thanks to NetGalley and Vermilion Thread Press LCC in sharing this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

#NetGalley #VermilionThreadPressLCC #EmmetHirsch

[Jennifer]

Wonderful book!!! 5 stars!! While not a true story, the author draws from historical accounts and tries to bring events alive through the telling of Joseph Friedmann's life.

It had that rare triple win: I felt connected to Joseph's character, the writing was beautiful, and the plot kept moving.

Highly recommend for anyone interested in historical fiction. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was good, but there was something about the recording that made it hard to hear at times. Nevertheless, I would still recommend both as a book and audiobook. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC.

[Adrianne Hayward]

Fantastic read! Unique and engrossing piece of historic fiction with a surprising amount of current-day relevance. I thoroughly enjoyed this tale recounting the life-long adventures of an exceptionally brilliant soldier, patriot and spy -- from the protagonist's unconventional upbringing inside a Catholic convent to his battlefield heroics and daring feats of espionage -- this story delivers countless breathtaking moments and unexpected twists. Add to this the author's strong and singularly charming narrative voice and you have a book that will earn its place among your favorites. Highly recommend!

[LG]

I feel so fortunate to have received advance access to this treasure from NetGalley! I expect everyone will be singing its praises soon.
Fantastic! I absolutely could not put it down. Joseph's story, his life, will stay with me for weeks, and months, and years. The writing and the character development are top-notch. The story is focused on a time/geography that I don't think is commonly explored, and certainly I hadn't read any fictionalizations like it before. Deserves more than five stars. Highly recommend.

[Debra Dragon]

I absolutely loved everything about this book. As someone who reads at least five books a month, it's rare for me to find a story that truly holds my attention from beginning to end-but this one did just that.

It's a fast paced and expertly written suspenseful novel, with in depth character development. At times, especially in the orphanage, my heart was pounding!

One of the standout elements for me was how the author seamlessly wove historical details into the narrative.

Overall, a gripping, intelligent and beautiful novel.





I give it 5 stars

[Lisa Gray]

I got this book free from Library Thing’s early reviewer program. When I got it, I hesitated to read it; I was turned off by the cover & given today’s world, I was afraid it would be anti-Palestinian. But the desire of the author and the protagonist is that there would someday be peace in the region. I loved the main character, a Jewish boy raised as an orphan in a Christian convent, who then went on to be a lifelong agent for Mossad. An interesting fictional account of the years after World War Two and Israel’s rise to power.

[Abby Polin]

I found myself completely engaged in this book and read it very quickly. I enjoyed following the main character's life and where his background and experiences took him in life. The story flowed well, was filled with tons of interest and the character development was rich. The story is relevant to current times. This book and story would make a fabulous movie. I highly recommend this book and already have to many, many people.

[Sara]

I am a fan of historical fiction that both engages you with the characters and story, but also teaches you about historical events and their importance. Not only were these two objectives accomplished in this novel but it was also a page-turner that was very hard to put down. Further, the main characters were complex and their emotional challenges were on display-adding to the impact of the story and the lessons learned. Great novel!

[Peggy]

I thoroughly enjoyed this historical fiction novel. It was one of those books that pulled me in immediately—I found myself reading it much faster than I expected because the story was so compelling and the characters felt so real. Although it is set in the past, it offers timely insight into the complexities of the Middle East. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys well-written historical fiction that is both engaging and thought-provoking.