Book · 2006 · literary fiction
The Yiddish Policemen's Union
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I don't know if you know that michael chabon's novel um the yiddish policeman's union but it's basically like alternate history.
Matt Yglesias · Modern Wisdom · Sep 2020 Listen at 1:00:57 Why people recommend it
The Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon is a celebrated alternate history novel that imagines a temporary Jewish settlement established in Sitka, Alaska, during World War II, following the collapse of the Zionist effort in Palestine. Matthew Yglesias brought up the novel on Modern Wisdom in September 2020 during a discussion about population growth and national planning, describing Chabon's work as a brilliant example of alternate history set in Alaska. Later, author Michael Chabon himself discussed the creative process behind the book on The Book Review podcast in July 2024. During the interview, Chabon reflected on the immense labor required to bring the novel to life, revealing that he wrote an entire first draft exceeding six hundred pages before ultimately deciding to set it aside and start over completely from scratch. These varied mentions highlight both the cultural impact of the novel as a staple of speculative fiction and the rigorous artistic dedication required to construct such an intricate, richly detailed alternate historical universe, showcasing the author's commitment to literary excellence and deep world-building.
Every mention
Matt Yglesias i don't know if you know that michael chabon's novel um the yiddish policeman's union but it's basically li… 1
“i don't know if you know that michael chabon's novel um the yiddish policeman's union but it's basically like alternate history”
Michael Chabon you know I wrote an entire 600 plus first draft of the unish policeman's Union that I put aside and started… 1
“you know I wrote an entire 600 plus first draft of the unish policeman's Union that I put aside and started over again”
Other mentions (1: passing, ad reads, own books)
“Michael Chabon, "The Yiddish Policeman's Union." A great murder mystery.”