This is a very expansive book that covers a lot of ground, and all of the aspects receive equal treatment. It starts out covering the life of the author Sholem-Aleichem, a pen name that translates in modern terms as “How do you do” (as a little joke, “What is your name? How do you do. Fine, but what is your name.)
First showing how he brought his life experiences into the Tevye stories and then moving on to his other writings and plays. It then moves away from Sholem-Aleichem and more into the careers of the stagers of the Broadway play and the reactions of both the Jewish and theater communities.
All in all this book provides an intriguing look into one of the world’s greatest plays and is a must read for regular theater goers.