Francesca Norsen Tate, editor

Prolific Author Discovers Moses’ ‘Ubiquity’ in American History

Brooklyn Heights resident Bruce Feiler is a seasoned traveler, award-winning journalist and author. His books have ranged from Biblical journeys such as Walking the Bible and Where God Was Born to Dreaming Out Loud, which explores the “Changing Face of Nashville� and its country-music singers, and Under the Big Top: A Season with the Circus. But his latest book, America’s Prophet: Moses and the American Story, again returns to the Bible — specifically, how Moses has shaped American history and culture. Last Saturday, Feiler gave a presentation at the historic Plymouth Church of the Pilgrims. Plymouth Church, which figures prominently in America’s Prophet, co-sponsored this portion of Feiler’s book tour with the Brooklyn Heights Synagogue, where Feiler and his wife, Linda Rottenberg, and twin daughters Eden and Tybee, are members.

Feiler quipped, “I live a few blocks away. This is the 25th event I’ve done in the last 50 days. It’s the only one I’ve walked to. In all of them, I talk about Thanksgiving, because Thanksgiving is now around the corner.� Indeed, Thanksgiving dinner, so central to Bruce Feiler’s family for its blend of Americana and Hanukkah, opens the first chapter of America’s Prophet.

Feiler shows great style in both his writing and public speaking. America’s Prophet is beautifully-researched and entertaining. Saturday’s presentation offered highlights from the book, which offers in-depth stories and many anecdotes about the Mayflower, George Washington, the Beecher family and Uncle Tom’s Cabin, , Superman and even Cecil B. DeMille’s epic movies. Feiler quickly bonded with his audience in both the lighthearted and serious aspects of American history. If you missed his talk and the book signing, do treat yourself to reading America’s Prophet. Definitely read the take on Harriet Tubman.

Feiler has appeared on Fox Network, CNN and National Public Radio — and got a variety of reactions when he announced that he was to appear this week on the Glenn Beck Show.

In his distinctive speaking cadence, Feiler described how he came across Moses and the Exodus story everywhere from Plymouth, Massachusetts, at a recreation of the Mayflower to the lobby of his hometown synagogue in Savannah, Georgia.

“The sheer number of references was staggering,� said Feiler. “For 400 years, one figure stands as the symbol of America. One man is our true founding father. His name is Moses. For two years I traveled around and looked at why this story inspired generation after generation of Americans. At a time when Americans claim you can’t really talk about religion and politics anymore without descending into chaos, I wondered if Moses might play a role. If Moses can split the Red Sea, can he un-split America?�

Giving his on-the-spot narrative, Feiler described Moses having to put up both with his people’s complaining and with God’s punishment. “He reprimands the people again, calms God down, brokers a compromise, and off they go marching towards the Promised Land. But of course God isn’t satisfied and banishes the people to live 40 more years in the desert. And after this problem is solved, God punishes Moses too. He, too, will not get to the Promised Land. It seems unimaginable for 40 years to put up with their incessant complaining, and he’s not going to get his reward!�

Given Plymouth Church’s strong connection to the Underground Railroad, Feiler devoted much time to the Beechers’ work with the abolitionist movement, particularly Harriet Beecher Stowe’s book, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, which opens with Eliza’s escape across the Ohio River into the free state of Ohio.

“For slaves, Moses was more than just a figure in the Bible. He was really the leader of a new emerging black nation within the nation. And you can see this most in the slaves spirituals — and the most favorite slave spiritual of all — ‘Go Down Moses!’ It was called the national anthem of slaves.

“Most interestingly, when the slaves were singing these spirituals, when they got here as Africans, they weren’t Christians — they had their own traditions; a lot of them had been Muslims. They got here and the white overseers forced Christianity on them as a way to control them. What would happen, they would be singing these spirituals, (Frederick Douglass wrote in his memoirs) Oh Caanan, sweet Canaan,’ the white overseers would say, ‘Yes! They’re worshiping our God!’� But in fact, explains Feiler, they were using them to send a secret code — specifically, directions from the underground railroad, which houses are safe harbor, and which routes are dangerous.

“It took America’s most Bible-quoting President to bring the country back together,� said Feiler. “Lincoln freed the slaves after making a vow before God. He quotes the Exodus at Gettysburg, And when he died — even though he was shot on Good Friday, died on Saturday and was eulogized on Easter Sunday across the country — again, two-thirds of the sermons compared Abraham Lincoln to Moses. He had freed the slaves and yet had come short to the promised land of victory.�

America’s Prophet describes at length Henry Ward Beecher’s delegation to Fort Sumter, where he preached on April 14, 1865 — later that night, President Lincoln would be shot. Ten days later, Beecher delivered his eulogy, opening with the moment that Moses climbs to Mount Nebo: “There is no authority or figure more noble than that of the Jewish lawgiver…There is scarcely another event in history more touching than his death. Until now.’ Again, a great leader of the people has passed through toil, sorrow, battle, and war, and come near to the promised land of peace, into which he might not pass over. Who shall recount our martyr’s suffering for this people!�

Feiler reflected, “I think when I set out on this journey, I expected to find Moses. But I was surprised by the sheer ubiquity of where I found him. Nearly every American President has been inspired by Moses. So Moses has become a kind of icon of American leadership. He is not a man of words; he has anxieties, he has doubts … Moses is our true founding father. His face belongs on Mount Rushmore.�

Feiler concluded his talk and the Q&A session on a bittersweet note. The experienced traveler described having to take the journey that nobody should face — that of cancer treatment. A tumor was discovered on his left femur 15 months ago, that he believed originated with a bicycle accident many years ago. He underwent two five-month sets of chemotherapy and a 15-hour bone surgery, and he was fitted with a titanium part. He is also facing the prospect that the cancer could return.

Feiler has dealt with this challenge creatively, and is already on his next book — one especially for his daughters. Titled The Council of Dads, this book will be released in May, 2010, according to his publisher’s office, William Morrow/Harper Collins.

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