Steven Zipperstein Book Talk

Mon Oct 27 2025 at 12:00 pm to 01:00 pm UTC-04:00

Institute for Israel and Jewish Studies at Columbia University | New York

The Institute for Israel and Jewish Studies at Columbia University
Publisher/HostThe Institute for Israel and Jewish Studies at Columbia University
Steven Zipperstein Book Talk Steven Zipperstein discusses "Philip Roth: Stung by Life," the landmark biography of one of our most prominent chroniclers of American Life
About this Event

IIJS welcomes Professor Steven Zipperstein for a talk on his recent book, Philip Roth: Stung by Life, the landmark biography of one of our most prominent chroniclers of American life. He will be joined in conversation by IIJS Director Emeritus Professor Jeremy Dauber on Monday, October 27, at Noon in 617 Kent Hall.

In this groundbreaking literary biography, Steven J. Zipperstein captures the complex life and astonishing work of Philip Roth (1933–2018), one of America’s most celebrated writers. Born in Newark, New Jersey—where his short stories and books were often set—Roth wrote with ambition and awareness of what was required to produce great literature. No writer was more dedicated to his craft, even as he was rubbing shoulders with the Kennedys and engaging in a spate of famous and infamous romances. And yet, as much as Roth wrote about sex and self, he viewed himself as socially withdrawn, living much like an “unchaste monk” (his words).

Zipperstein explores the unprecedented range of Roth’s work—from “Goodbye, Columbus” and Portnoy’s Complaint to the Pulitzer Prize–winning American Pastoral and The Plot Against America. Drawing upon extensive archival materials and over one hundred interviews, including conversations with Roth about his life and work, Zipperstein provides an intimate and insightful look at one of the twentieth century’s most influential writers, placing his work in the context of his obsessions, as well as American Jewishness, freedom, and sexuality.

Steven J. Zipperstein is the Daniel E. Koshland Professor in Jewish Culture and History at Stanford University. He is the author and editor of ten books, including Rosenfeld’s Lives: Fame, Oblivion, and the Furies of Writing and Pogrom: Kishinev and the Tilt of History.Jeremy Dauber is the Atran Professor of Yiddish Language, Literature and Culture and, for a decade, directed the Institute of Israel and Jewish Studies at Columbia University, where he also teaches in the American studies program.

*Guests must register by Thursday, October 23 to be approved for campus access; unregistered guests will not be permitted on campus.


Supported by the generosity of the Kaye and Radov families.

While all IIJS events are free and open to the public, we do encourage a suggested donation of $10.

Event Venue

Institute for Israel and Jewish Studies at Columbia University, 617 Kent Hall, New York, United States

Tickets

USD 0.00

Sharing is Caring:

More Events in New York

John Oliver and Seth Meyers
Sun, 26 Oct at 11:30 pm John Oliver and Seth Meyers

Beacon Theatre

Gospel-Centered Preaching Conference
Mon, 27 Oct at 08:30 am Gospel-Centered Preaching Conference

New York Manhattan Church of the Advent Hope Seventh-day Adventist Church (SDA)

The Business of WE (Women Entrepreneurs) 2025 Summit
Mon, 27 Oct at 09:00 am The Business of WE (Women Entrepreneurs) 2025 Summit

New York City

RealFocus 2025
Mon, 27 Oct at 09:00 am RealFocus 2025

Convene One Liberty Plaza

The Journey of a Children\u2019s Book: From Sketches to Shelves
Mon, 27 Oct at 09:00 am The Journey of a Children’s Book: From Sketches to Shelves

Society of Illustrators

Content Creation for Social Media Workshop - October 27th-31st, 2025
Mon, 27 Oct at 10:00 am Content Creation for Social Media Workshop - October 27th-31st, 2025

Manhattan Edit Workshop

CRECER: Latino Business Expo \u2013 Advancing Latino Entrepreneurship
Mon, 27 Oct at 12:30 pm CRECER: Latino Business Expo – Advancing Latino Entrepreneurship

Above The Heights

Likewise
Mon, 27 Oct at 12:30 pm Likewise

The Theater Center

Hands-On: Tagliatelle
Mon, 27 Oct at 01:00 pm Hands-On: Tagliatelle

Eataly NYC Flatiron

3rd Annual Adorama x Sony Rooftop Photography Event
Mon, 27 Oct at 05:00 pm 3rd Annual Adorama x Sony Rooftop Photography Event

The Sixth Floor Loft

Living with Machines: Jewish Ethical Perspectives on AI
Mon, 27 Oct at 05:00 pm Living with Machines: Jewish Ethical Perspectives on AI

Yeshiva University

MONDAY NIGHT GAME DAY  @  TREADWELL  PARK  UES -  Bites & Games
Mon, 27 Oct at 05:00 pm MONDAY NIGHT GAME DAY @ TREADWELL PARK UES - Bites & Games

Treadwell Park

New York is Happening!

Never miss your favorite happenings again!

Explore New York Events