The Orientalist

This book by Tom Reiss is about the life of Lev Nussinbaum, aka Essad Bey, aka Kurban Said. Nussinbaum was a Jew from Baku with a millionaire father who became a Muslim and later a major author in Nazi Germany. He died of some disease similar to leprosy in Italy during WWII.

He had many adventures in his life such as running from the Reds in Russia, traveling through Constantinople near the end of the Ottoman Empire, marrying an heiress and living the high life in New York. His passion was the Orient, well, really Asia. He had quite a life.

The book seems to be more about the times (especially the 1920's and 1930's politics, culture, etc.) of Mr. Nussinbaum than about him in particular. This was OK with me as it was still interesting, but it seems there should have been more about the man who was the supposed subject.

I had read about the book a long while ago in the Wall Street Journal I think. Had been meaning to read it since then. Given it a try if you are interested in these times and places.