The Orientalist

Tom Reiss's "The Orientalist" unravels the astonishing, almost unbelievable life of Lev Nussimbaum, a man who, against the tumultuous backdrop of the 20th century, continuously reinvented himself. Born into a wealthy Jewish oil family in Baku, Nussimbaum's early life was upended by the Russian Revolution, forcing him into exile. He remarkably transformed himself into Essad Bey, a celebrated German author and self-proclaimed 'Muslim prince,' captivating interwar Europe with exotic tales of the Caucasus. His literary career soared, even as the Nazi regime rose to power, a chilling irony given his Jewish heritage. Reiss meticulously traces Nussimbaum's intricate web of identities, his improbable success under the alias Kurban Said (author of "Ali and Nino"), and his ultimate flight from fascism. This deeply researched biography explores themes of identity, belonging, and the power of narrative, painting a vivid portrait of a man who lived a thousand lives in one, perpetually on the run from both his past and the escalating geopolitical crises of his time, until his premature death in Italy.