Brooks is a journalist, author and lecturer. She has won many awards for her writings.


Current Works


A romantic thriller with a political twist! "Russian Dance is Jewish history like you have never read it before. First Place winner, National Federation of Press Women, 2005 for biography/history. Purchase or download a copy of this book from its (amazon.com) dedicated web page.

"The Woman who Defied Kings" is a biography of a Renaissance banker who ran an escape network; selected as a finalist in the 2003 National Jewish Book Awards. Purchase or download a copy of this book from its dedicated (amazon.com) web page.


This package of books (print, e-book, workbooks, documentary DVD) is all about raising the highly privileged child... new insights and strategies. First Place, non-fiction, National Federation of Press Women. Also featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show. It was later made into an Emmy-nominated PBS documentary that, along with the print edition and updated e-edition, is available from this link to amazon.com. The documentary is listed separately under Amazon's Movies & TV category. The workbooks, in print or through pdf download, are available directly from the author. See e-mail contact above. This book also has its own dedicated website: chiildrenoffasttrackparents.com .

Catching up ...


NOTE: We continue to mark the 500th anniversary of the birth of Dona Gracia Nasi. Let us know if you want to commemorate this date with an event or festival for adults and/​or children. We now have a traveling (portable) exhibit to accompany such a program. If so, contact this author or go to our newly-formed Dona Gracia Project website donagraciaproject.org.
You can also join our community and see research updates by clicking on the following Facebook link: Dona Gracia Worldwide. On that site you can also offer us your idea of which A-list performer you would like to see play the role of Dona Gracia for our planned TV mini-series.
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UPCOMING TALKS
(for further details, or to register for a talk/​course, call or e-mail contacts given below)

May 6 morning
Discussion on Dona Gracia
Book Club event
JCC Bridgeport
4200 Park Avenue, Bridgeport CT
Trumbull, CT

May 16, evening
Raising highly-privileged kids
Iranian Mothers' Association
Great Neck, N.Y.

May 18, 10.30 a.m. - noon
The History of the Jews of Russia
Suffolk Y JCC
Commack, N.Y.
Details: 631 462-9800

May 22 - June 12 middday
mini-course weekly for 4 wks
The Immigrant Jewish Experience
Manhattan JCCs
334 Amsterdam Ave, NY
Registration: www.jccmanhattan.org

May 22 - June 12 evening
mini-course weekly for 4 wks
Jews in the Renaissance
Manhattan JCCs
334 Amsterdam Ave, NY
Registration: www.jccmanhattan.org

May 23, midday
The Amazing life of Dona Gracia
Friedberg JCC, Oceanside, NY.

June 20, middday
Jewish Pirates of the Caribbean
Friedberg JCC, Oceanside, N.Y.

July 5-11 mini course
Jews in the Renaissance,
Berkshire Hills Emmanuel Adult Camp
Copake, N.Y.

October 23 luncheon
The (Real) History of the Jews of Russia
Poughkeepsie Chapter of Hadassah
Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

travel seminars with other lecturers
see "Contact Info" page
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NOTE: scholar-in-residence programs and
mini courses are regularly available.
The author is also experienced at handling
TV and radio interviews and moderating
discussion groups.

SPECIAL OFFER - no charge for leading
book group discussions of her works.
Travel costs a problem? These can also be
arranged using a Skype video-hook up.
See "Book Groups" page for details.

CONTACT US: andreebrooks@​hotmail.com

A SAMPLING OF LECTURE TOPICS
(more details on each topic can be found on the "Lecture Topics" page).

1. NEW! The centuries-old history and culture of the Jews of Iran/​Persia.

2. NEW! Exploring Cuba: its once and future Jews.A look at the way Cuban Jews are increasingly coming out of the religious closet; based upon a recent visit by Brooks to the island.

3. NEW! A Woman for the Ages. The unlikely tale of Amelia Bassano: the shadowy Jewish woman behind Shakespeare and his canon. And how it might change our traditional image of Shylock and the original goal of "The Merchant of Venice."

4. The origins and lesser-known history of the Jews of Russia: understanding their true role in the Bolshevik Revolution. Includes research compiled for her book "Russian Dance."

5. The Incredible story of Doña Gracia Nasi: a 16th century Jewish woman banker and leader. Includes back story of how documents were found.

6. The Origins of Jewish Life in Europe and the birth of Ashkenaz.

7. The Ancient Origins of Merchant Jews and their impact upon our history. Also taught as a mini course: "On the Road with Jewish Merchants."

8. The Jews in the Renaissance: the background, personalities and their artistic achievements. Why we rarely hear about them. Also taught as a mini course.

9. Keeping a secret for 500 years: the Strange Story of the Conversos and how it resonates even today. Also taught as a mini course.

10. Were there really Jewish Pirates of the Caribbean? Background and understanding.

11. The (real) history of the Jewish doctor.

12. How DNA studies and genealogical research is affecting our understanding of Jewish history and ourselves.

13. Magic, merchants and miracles: the 2,000-year history of the Jews of Morocco.

14. The hidden history of the Jews of China.

15. Our Past, Ourselves. The real story of the early 20th century mass Jewish immigration into America and their impact upon our attitudes today. Based upon research completed for a genealogical project undertaken for a noted Jewish American family.

16. ... and for teachers, school counselors, parents and grandparents: Raising the Over-Privileged Child; based upon her award-winning book/​workbooks "Children of Fast Track Parents." A one-hour Emmy-nominated documentary, based upon the book, is also available for showing. Ask author for details.

LEARN MORE ABOUT EACH BOOK?

Click on the individual titles (at right)
to sample a chapter or learn more about
a particular work.

What Others Say

History, romantic thriller, Jewish history
"A gripping narrative," Publishers' Weekly "highly recommended," Library Journal
Biography, Jewish History
"A delight!" Hadassah Magazine; "An assiduously researched biography," Publishers' Weekly
Sephardic, Caribbean and Mediterranean Jewish history,
History, culture, food, music and customs of the Jews who trace their ancestry to Spain and Portugal. pdf downloads now available from its dedicated website: outofspain.com
Contemporary Parenting
"An excellent child-rearing guide," New York Times; available with hands-on workbooks. New! e-book edition and a companion documentary available on amazon.com; workbooks directly from this author. This book has its own dedicated website: childrenoffasttrackparents.com