In celebration of the 60th anniversary…

This is a photo of the original cover artwork for the novel Exodus written by my father, Leon Uris. Note the handwritten inscription in the upper right corner: A NOVEL OF ISRAEL BY THE AUTHOR OF BATTLE CRY. Exodus became the pinnacle of his early career with a worldwide readership in the hundreds of millions. Since writing his first play at age six, Dad dreamed of becoming a famous author. After serving in the Marine Corps in World War II, had wrote the novel Battle Cry, about his experiences in the Pacific Campaign. BC became a bestseller and was made into a major motion picture. Although his second novel, The Angry Hills was made into a movie, his popularity faltered. Exodus placed him back on the top of the heap. His story of the birth of Israel fulfilled his childhood dream—one that he shared with the world. His novel brought worldwide acceptance to the plight of our Jewish ancestors. 

Dad bet the farm—Exodus had to be a success…

Pictured above is the Accadia Grand Hotel, where Dad began to research what he termed, “The greatest story of my career.” After disappointment from his lackluster second novel, my father contradicted his publisher Bennett Cerf, who stated that no novel about Israel could ever be a worldwide success. Bennet wanted Dad to write a story about a boxer (prizefighter) living in Los Angeles. Being a contrarian, my father ignored Bennett, scrapped up nickels and headed off to Israel to manifest his dream into reality. He set up shop at the Accadia Hotel and prepared his research strategy.

Dad soon found what he was looking for…

Above is an excerpt from a typewritten letter he sent to my mother, his wife Betty. I have scores of his letters. His passion and commitment in these letters rivaled the words in his novels. During the next few years I will share these letters, especially the letters written by Mom, to Dad and back home to her Danish mother in Iowa—all of which colonialized their marriage, from the beginning of his career to the time my parents finally parted. Mom’s eloquent words deliver a passion and commitment of their own and I look forward to sharing them with Dad’s fans and the world.

After a couple of months on his own, in 1956 Dad sent for the entire family to join him in Israel. A family man at heart, his best works were produced in the midst of family harmony and chaos. He even shipped the family car, but made a special trip to retrieve our family dog, Duffy. Mom set up house in the suburbs of Tel Aviv. Older brother and sister Mark and Karen went to school and I, at age three, stayed home and begged for Mom’s affection and table scraps with Duffy.

Two great men becomes true friends…

This photo taken a year after the publication of Exodus. Here Dad is with his good friend David Ben Gurion. A characters in the novel Exodus is characterized after David. One of the proud fathers of the State of Israel, David called for an audience with my father, to join him on his kibbutz for a visit and to discuss Dad’s Exodus and how the novel has sparked worldwide interest, moral, and financial support for the newly formed nation. David stated, “Exodus is the greatest book ever written about Israel and the plight of the Jewish people since the beginning of time.” Whenever Dad talked about David in his many speeches at large gatherings, there would not be a dry eye in the house.

Dad made friends wherever he went…

This is the real Leon Uris, a man who could communicate with people from all walks of life. Dad’s understanding and compassion was not limited to the Jewish people (whom he held dear). In Exodus and in subsequent novels he tirelessly researched both sides of every story. Here in 1956 he is seen during an interview with Palestinians. Fast forward a few novels, Dad honored the plight of the Palestinians in his novel The Haj, that became required reading for all U.S. State Department employees who dealt with Muslims, the Middle East, and Arab Nations.

Dad overlooking Jerusalem from Mount Zion…

This photo taken a year after the publication of Exodus, Dad returns to Israel to write the prose in a photography book. This and many remarkable photos were taken by Greek photographer Dimitrios Harissiadis. Their photo essay, Exodus Revisited, was illustrated with over 250 photographs, this being one of them. The combination of Dad’s text and Dimi’s photos are a real treat to behold. In my memoir, The Uris Trinity, I travel to Jerusalem and Mount Zion with Dad to give a speech dedicated to peace in the Middle East—to over a million local residents.

Dad wrote Exodus at our home in Encino…

Although Dad wanted to write Exodus in Israel, during the outbreak of the Suez Crisis in 1956, Mom and us kids were airlifted under the cover of night by the U.S. Government to Italy, where we waited for Dad to join us—after he finished his duties of being a war correspondent during the brief war. 

 Placing his family’s safety first, Dad decided it best that we head back home where he could finish his dream novel in the suburbs of Los Angeles. Here is Dad in his Encino office, adjacent to house, during the writing of Exodus. There he burned midnight oil nonstop for over a year. Note his hands on the typewriter and the smile on his face. Dad never used a computer or a word processor, stating that writing with a typewriter allowed him to see his words on paper as he typed. This personal bond he had with the typewriter remained throughout his entire career.

Dad supported Israel and his people…

Dad as a humanitarian focused many painstakin hours to better the standin of the Jewish people in the world’s view and for the State of Israel. Attending scores of fundraising events, such as in New York in support of the State of Israel. A keynote speaker at every event, Dad’s incredibly moving speeches captivated and inspired all of those in attendance. From an attic-unpublished-author in Larkspur California, with Exodus he transformed into the “Poster Child for the Support of Israel.” His speeches and public appearances brought in hundreds of millions of dollars in support of growing nation, and overnight he stepped into the shoes of a great humanitarian. I have witnessed him on several occasions, giving speeches to the masses, where he hypnotized the entire crowd—and you could hear a pin drop as the they hung to his every word. Listening to his speeches now, that I have on tape, restores the pride I once felt, of when I originally heard him speak to standing-room-only venues. Every handkerchief in the crowd came out of hiding, and the crowds roared as they jumped to their feet and gave him a standing ovation. 

Dad never lost faith in his children…

Leon Uris may have been a great humanitarian and a world famous author—but to me he was better than that. He wanted to give me the world, but I graciously declined his offer and chose to become my own man. Those are the words he wanted to hear. My father sacrificed everything for love. I will always honor him and treasure his wisdom. (Excerpts from my memoir, The Uris Trinity.) 

Find The Uris Trinity at Amazon.com
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