ABOUT JERRY MARCUS
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Controversial Author JERRY MARCUS is internationally acclaimed for his ability to create compelling fiction about thought-provoking issues such as anti-Semitism, political intrigue, and religious hypocrisy. Reviewers have called Marcus prophetic, provocative, masterful, compelling, original and creative - and even a heretic. Morton Teicher, Book Editor for The Jewish Floridian, compared Marcus to Chaim Potok, writing "Marcus caused us to care about the characters he created..." Whether he writes about politics, religion, sports, or murder - the underlying powerful theme in all Marcus' novels is how his characters constantly struggle with good versus evil. Marcus portrays God as giving his world over to two forces: The Laughing Angels, whose sole purpose is to torment and destroy all that is noble and righteous - and The Righteous Ones, who plead for God to never forget the most vulnerable amongst us. The late Rabbi Yaakov Fogelman z"l, of the Torah Outreach Program in Jerusalem, Israel (known as the TOP), became a fan of Jerry's novels. He characterized Jerry's works this way in one of his studies: "The Lion King so vividly portrayed the conflict of good and evil, and the contrast between those who sacrificed their safety and comfort, to eradicate evll, and those who just enjoy life; so Marcus' works too are modern mussar seforim, ethical works, which praise noble souls and expose all that is ignoble amidst our rich, powerful, and sensual modern world." (December 11, 2009).
Marcus studied philosophy under such notables as Larry Azar, John Hospers, Jesuit Priest Martin Darcy, and Monsignor John K. Ryan, who at the time was Chairman of Philosophy, Catholic University of America, Washington, DC. Marcus taught Ethics and the Philosophy of Literature at St. John's University (Brooklyn, NY), and Logic and Philosophy at New York Institute of Technology. After four years of teaching philosophy, he moved to Washington, DC, and helped launch Elective Data Systems, a political public relations firm, where he wrote press releases, and developed position papers and speeches for political candidates. He also developed surveys, and plans for the design and implementation of computer-analyzed surveys. When writing about challenging issues became Marcus' passion, he left Washington and headed for Chicago, where he covered politics for a local independent newspaper, while working at a variety of jobs (sales, loading trucks, waiting tables, and behind the counter at the well-known Mort's Delicatessen). He also began writing his first novel.
A BRIEF PERSONAL HISTORY OF AUTHOR JERRY MARCUS — Marcus was born in Israel of American parents in 1940. In 1942, with Hitler's troops already penetrating Africa, and threatening the existence of every Jew in nearby lands, the author's mother and father made the difficult decision to leave Israel for America. They settled in New York, where Marcus and his two older sisters were raised. His parents, Rabbi Reuven Marcus and Syma Wexler Marcus, of Blessed Memory, later returned to their beloved Israel, where they lived the rest of their lives in Rehavia, Jerusalem. In addition to Israel and New York, Marcus had deep roots in the Chicago community, where his mother was raised. From Israel, to New York and Long Island, to Washington, DC, Marcus eventually moved to Chicago where he launched his writing career with the highly acclaimed "Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Zev," followed by three more popular novels, "The Salvation Peddler," "The Last Pope," and "Broken Trust - The Murder of Basketball Star Jack Molinas." He later moved to Arizona, where he wrote three award-winning novels, "Shoshana's Song," "Daughters of God," and "Escape from Heaven"—which was Marcus' final and most unique and provocative work. He considered this novel to be his most controversial and important work. JERRY MARCUS PASSED AWAY BEFORE "ESCAPE FROM HEAVEN" WAS PUBLISHED— Like all his novels, "Escape from Heaven" shows a deep understanding of the human condition. His creative portrayals of good and evil, justice and righteousness— and his development of interesting, provocative, and often complex characters—are his legacy that will live on forever in the literary world. Some readers commented they felt as though Marcus was personally reading to them—becoming their own private narrator for each of his stories—making them feel deeply connected to his characters. All of Jerry Marcus' novels will remain in print for years to come and guaranteed new books are available exclusively from Brittany Publications, Ltd. For information on reprints, electronic/digital, or screen rights to this book, and all books by Author Jerry Marcus, please contact publisher@brittanypublications.com. |
PRAISE FOR JERRY MARCUS' NOVELS
ESCAPE FROM HEAVEN
FINALIST IN THE 2023 NEW MEXICO-ARIZONA BOOK AWARDS IN THE PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGION CATEGORIES
Reader Comments:
“From the intriguing title, I wondered—Who would want to "Escape from Heaven?"
Isn’t that where we all ultimately want to end up? To the beautiful cover depicting a glowing full moon glimmering upon a calm ocean…
I was certain the full moon and the title had special meanings—and they do! And I thoroughly enjoyed reading each chapter.
The thought-provoking vignettes were meaningful and informative. The conversations between two unexpected friends…Moses and Jesus were truly
a match made in heaven, both hoping for a new age of reason—with an absence of bigotry and intolerance.
An interesting editorial feature were the creative conversations and commentaries between
the "Laughing Angels" and the "Righteous Ones" at the end of the discussions between Moses and Jesus.
They added surprising and sometimes comical touches to the stories…
Kudos to Marcus and Gold’s fresh and thoughtful approach to understanding the complexities of the gift of free will--
and how it influences all that we do, both good and evil, all in the name of God and religion!”
“Escape from Heaven is written with wisdom and thought provoking insight to our human condition on earth.
The novel motivates us to live up to our highest potential as humanitarians on a daily basis in every interaction.”
“Daringly Profound!!! Jerry brings the characters to life without prejudice!
The details of conversation between Jesus and Moses makes one wonder if this is really happening.
Jerry and Marion both capture the realism of todays events and past difficulties of religion.
I highly recommend taking the time to read this book. So much thought, creativity and understanding of faith is in this story.
An absolute must read…I'm truly sorry it is Jerry's last.
Although the book is classified as religion/philosophy, Escape from Heaven's stories feel less like grandiose theological debates
and more like intimate everyday reflections and dialogues about everyday struggles.
The authors weave together vignettes in a way that feel deeply personal and lived-in.
The themes and motifs of this book also tie in well with the authors' previous works, so Escape reads as a culminating layer to a 40-year arc.
Whether you're familiar with the authors' earlier works or picking this up for the first time,
this book offers a unique mix of thoughtful and approachable insights.
“Regardless of where you fall on the theism/deism/atheism continuum, there is plenty here to interest and provoke the reader.
It is with sadness that I read Jerry Marcus' last book.”
DAUGHTERS OF GOD
Winner of the 2018 New Mexico-Arizona Book Awards in the Philosophy Category
A disgraced New York State Governor has his eye on the White House. Young women from a high-class escort service are murdered. Will a popular journalist and retired Detective Tony Pinella find the killers? This novel will keep you guessing until the very last page... Or is the end just the beginning?
Reader Comments from Amazon.com
"I loved the suspense and the characters. The story line drew me in right away and held me. I always love a book that takes me right into it and this was a great book to curl up and read and get lost in for hours...I have read other books by this author and I have found each and every one of them immensely enjoyable!"
"So wonderful a read! So much happening! I didn't want it to end!"
"The characters of the book are well defined to allow my imagination to see them. Just when I thought I had the whole thing figured out, the twist sent me into another direction. A great who-done it."
SHOSHANA'S SONG
A finalist in the 2013 New Mexico-Arizona Book Awards
Broken Trust - The Murder of Basketball Star Jack Molinas"At first, writing in the voice of an Orthodox Jewish teenage girl was remarkably challenging," Marcus said in an interview. "Shoshana became like a kid sister to me, someone who I wanted to see happy and fulfilled. She relied on me to help her face the clashes between her faith and family, intellectual curiosity, desires to marry, have a family—and a career—and maintain her spiritual growth and Orthodox Jewish traditions."
"Masterfully told coming-of-age story... Jerry Marcus interweaves discussions of faith, marriage, intellectual freedom, and the roles of women throughout their lives.
It will help both young and mature readers explore how women gain strength in their faith journey."
Mary Lou Henneman, Congregational Libraries Today, Church and Synagogue Library Association
BROKEN TRUST - THE MURDER OF BASKETBALL STAR JACK MOLINAS
An explosion of gun shots ended the life of basket all star Jack Molinas. Marcus takes a fictional look at Molinas' life, and why he risked his thriving career by living on the edge—in a story that combines religion, politics, sports and gambling.
"Jack would have loved how you portrayed him." Bill Tosheff, 1951-52 NBA Co-Rookie of the Year
"Great book..." Sam Amico, Editor and Senior Writer, ProBasketballNews.com
"Besides writing a gripping tale of a powerful, rich, highly competitive industry, Marcus delivers a high-impact, no holds barred, picture of modern social
establishments - both religious and secular..." Rabbi Yaakov Fogelman, Torah Outreach Program, Jerusalem, Israel
THE LAST POPE
A German-born prelate named Joseph Ratzinger knows newly ordained Pope Pius Innocent is the only living person who can bring the Vatican to its knees—and destroy his plans for world domination.
Chicago Columnist ANNE GERBER said Marcus' 1997 book has a "gripping premise" and compared it to The DaVinci Code, which was published AFTER The Last Pope.
"A creative and provocative...suspense-filled novel." The Chicago Tribune
"A wonderful premise...a great plot." Naples Daily News, Florida
"Prophetic...Gripping...and Enlightening." Rabbi Yaakov Fogelman, Torah Outreach Program, Jerusalem, Israel
"An intriguing story...An intellectual thriller." Marquee, San Diego
"A provocative tale that kindled my imagination..." Mary Harris, Minister, United Church of Christ, Boonville, Missouri
THE SALVATION PEDDLER
In this psychological murder mystery, Marcus delves deeply into how religion and the complexities of the human condition wreak havoc on the lives of an Evangelist who wants to be President of the United States, and his family. Readers will be introduced to Police Detective Tony Pinella, who shows up in some of Marcus' later novels.
"A master of the suspense novel." Abilene Reporter-News, Texas
"I enjoyed The Salvation Peddler." President Bill Clinton
ABRAHAM, ISAAC, JACOB and ZEV
When Jerry Marcus wrote this novel, his first novel, it was with his personal dedication that no one ever forget the worldwide human tragedy of the Holocaust. He narrated the story through his inspired and original characters--the Righteous Ones and the Laughing Angels. These unique "spirits" later appeared in each of Marcus' novels, just as each of his later works carry life's eternal theme of good versus evil.
Morton Teicher, Book Editor for The Jewish Floridian, compared Marcus to Chaim Potok, writing that Marcus “Caused us to care about the characters he created.”
"A significant and moving novel...An important addition to books about the Holocaust and Jewish people." American Jewish Congress
"Original and compelling." The Chicago Tribune
"An extraordinary book...that deals with the agony of morals." Dorothy Fuldheim, News Analyst, Scripps-Howard Broadcasting Company