Now almost 70, the outspoken Jerusalem-born Sephardic academic has in turn written drama, short stories and essays, as well as fiction, all exploring the spirit of Israel and what it means to be Jewish.

ECONOMIST: New fiction

The attention Mr Slater gives to Dickens's less familiar writings the short stories, journalism and essays is one of the things that distinguish his excellent biography.

ECONOMIST: Charles Dickens

He has tried his hand at novels, essays, short stories, plays, film and television scripts.

ECONOMIST: American literature

The series includes short stories, mysteries, essays, travel writing, science and nature writing and, my own favorite, sports writing.

FORBES: A Merry Economy