The Book of Daniel

The central figure is a young man named Daniel Isaacson, whose parents were executed for attempting to steal atomic secrets for Russia. Years after their deaths, he struggles to adjust to his past. Despite building a life that includes a loving wife and a son, he remains deeply unsettled. In the quiet of Columbia University's library, where he is meant to be writing a Ph.D. dissertation, Daniel instead composes a confession about his intimate relationships with his wife, foster parents, and radical sister, Susan. This work reflects on his memories, such as riding a bus to a Paul Robeson concert, witnessing the FBI arrest his father, and attending protests for his parents' innocence. It also includes interviews with those who knew his parents and documents his research in the library. Daniel assesses the roles of lawyers, police, informers, and his own family in the case. The narrative features a diverse cast, from immigrant grandmothers to McCarthy-era radicals and hippie protesters, capturing a quarter-century of American life post-World War II. It explores the complexities of Left politics, childhood emotions, guilt, innocence, and the connections between individuals and nations.