The Literary Mafia by Josh Lambert

The Literary Mafia: Jews, Publishing, and Postwar American Literature

by Josh Lambert

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

In the 1960s and 1970s, accusations of a "Jewish literary mafia" were widespread in the United States. While no such conspiracy ever existed, these complaints reflected a genuine transformation in the publishing industry—from a field that once systematically excluded Jews to one where they had become some of the most influential figures.

In this deeply researched investigation, Josh Lambert explores this fascinating shift. Drawing on interviews and a wealth of archival materials, he makes striking new discoveries about the relationships between Jewish editors and writers, how Jewish women challenged misogyny in publishing, and how the children of literary parents navigated their inheritances.

The Literary Mafia offers fresh insights into the lives and careers of celebrated figures like Lionel Trilling and Gordon Lish, as well as neglected fiction by writers such as Ivan Gold, Ann Birstein, and Trudy Gertler. Ultimately, this book reveals how the success of one minority group holds valuable lessons for anyone who wants to see American literature become more equitable and inclusive.