Frederic Raphael: Distant Intimacy at Kings Place

Frederic Raphael has recently published two books which illustrate the range and versatility of his work and style: A Jew Among Romans, The Life and Legacy of Flavius Josephus, and Distant Intimacy, a fat volume of email correspondence with Chicago-based writer and critic Joseph Epstein, whom he has never met in person. Raphael has long been intrigued by the story of Flavius Josephus (previously Joseph ben Mattathias), who surrendered to the Romans in 68 C.E. As the general in command of Galilee, he had led the resistance to Vespasian’s legions, but – when further resistance was impossible – he agreed to Vespasian’s offer of immunity. He then witnessed "the Jewish War" (of which he later became the sole extant historian) from the Roman side.