First published 2017
Bruce Feiler argues that history has gotten Adam and Eve wrong. The New York Times bestselling author travels across four continents and 4,000 years to show how the world's first couple actually introduced love into human experience. Feiler journeys from Iraq's Garden of Eden to Rome's Sistine Chapel, from John Milton's London to Mae West's Hollywood. He discovers that instead of being blamed for bringing sin and death into the world, Adam and Eve should be celebrated as models of lasting partnership. The author demonstrates how this ancient couple exemplified healthy relationships built on unity and forgiveness. At a time when social bonds feel fragile, Feiler presents evidence that history's first love story offers guidance for modern relationships. Through his global investigation, he restores Adam and Eve as central figures who continue shaping how we think about family and togetherness. The book combines humor and insight to show how familiar stories can still surprise and guide us today.
Genres: biography, history, 21st-century, academic
Vibes: intimate, lyrical, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family
Setting: Iraq, Garden of Eden, Rome, Sistine Chapel, London, Hollywood
Period: 4000 years ago, Ancient
306 pages · Hardcover · Penguin Press