author
Herman Bernstein
1876–1935
A restless and wide-ranging literary figure, he moved from poetry and fiction into journalism, translation, activism, and diplomacy. His life joined immigrant America, Jewish public life, and international politics in a way that still feels remarkably modern.
1 Audiobook
The History of a Lie: "The Protocols of the Wise Men of Zion"
by Herman Bernstein
About the author
Born in the Russian Empire in 1876, he emigrated to the United States as a teenager and built a career as a journalist and man of letters. He wrote poetry, fiction, essays, and plays, and also translated major Russian writers into English, helping bring that literature to American readers.
His work was closely tied to public life. Bernstein wrote often about Jewish affairs and international politics, and he became known as an outspoken advocate on behalf of Jews facing persecution in Eastern Europe and Russia. That blend of literary work and civic engagement made him a distinctive voice in early 20th-century American culture.
Later in life, he served as the United States minister to Albania, a diplomatic post that reflected his growing public stature. He died in 1935, leaving behind a career that crossed borders, languages, and genres with unusual energy.