Doctorow brings U.S history to life - Rated 
E.L Doctorow's most prevalent skill as a writer, apparent in most, if not all of his novels, is to heave American History, breathing, writhing and alive, directly onto the printed page. `The Book of Daniel' demonstrates the way in which the writer achieves this remarkable feat.
Doctorow's novel is a fictionalised account of the trial and execution of the Rosenbergs, an American communist couple who were found guilty of conspiracy to overthrow the U.S government by disclosing atomic secrets to the Soviet Union. The fictional counterparts to Julius and Ethel Rosenberg are Paul and Rochelle Isaacson. Apart from some minor differences, the events of the novel largely reflect those of the Rosenberg case. The Isaacsons, like the Rosenbergs, are put to death at the end of the novel, by means of electric chair.
Like the inevitable eruption of Vesuvius in Robert Harris's 'Pompeii', the impending doom of the Isaacsons is inevitable, and the tension is slowly elevated as the plot slowly unravels to this grisly denouement. Although we know throughout that the Isaacsons can not and will not be saved, the importance of the novel rests in how the novel's protagonist Daniel, the son of Paul and Rochelle, attempts to come to terms with the events of a case which becomes one of the most important political events of the 20th Century. The Isaacsons becomes objects in a political tug-of-war; to those on the right they are traitors to their nation, to the communists they become martyrs. Doctorow constantly reminds of this conflict between the human and the political; that the Rosenbergs were not just political symbols; they were human beings, and most importantly, parents.
Do not allow the explicitly political themes of the novel to put you off; the novel is accessible and the prose is exciting, witty, and concise. The dialogue is acceptable although not remarkable throughout, discounting occasional moments of truly superb dialogue, as shown in the eccentric hippie Artie Steinlicht's politically charged diatribes against Daniel's parents, who he believes `played the game' with the government by `wearing ties' and acquiescing. Doctorow brilliantly contrasts the ideals of the Old Left, represented by Daniel's parents, with Daniel and Steinlicht's disillusioned, disaffected generation of rebels.
While the novel does explore political issues, it is chiefly concerned with Daniel's humanity; he is a fragmented, disconnected individual, unable to love those close to him, and sometimes bordering on the sociopathic. Doctorow's characterisation is so subtlety effective, in the way the reader encounters Daniel in both his formative childhood years, and his adult years as a member of the `hippie' New Left movement, that the reader comes to feel profound concern for Daniel during his lowest moments, in the same way a parent would react to their child being sent to rehab.
The `Book of Daniel' should certainly not be limited to enthusiasts of American History; it is a vibrant, lively novel, worthy of a read by anyone with an appreciation for striking, visceral prose and excellent characterisation. The novel's political themes are particularly relevant today, as like the Cold War and the Vietnam Wars as shown in the novel, George W Bush's `War on Terror' has once more set the political Left in direct opposition to the agenda of a right-wing regime.
A powerful read - Rated
Whilst reading The Book of Daniel by E.L Doctorow with interest, I was so absorbed, gripped and emotionally touched. The novel is about a boy (Daniel) and his mentally unstable sister Susan as kids who experience the mental trauma and pain of witnessing their parents being trialled and executed for committing treason. Treason is defined as a nationalist disclosing information to other nations for harmful and unlawful purposes. In context of the novel, Daniel parents acted as spies by disclosing information to Russians during the cold war for creating an atom bomb that is capable of causing immense disasters, which I do not want to even want to comprehend in words.
The key issues underlying the novel are old political regimes gain continued support by extremist and left wing communist parties, in which Daniel's parents are registered as members. There sole aim is to overthrow the socialist party and seek to promote equality in society which includes a classless society and equal distribution of income and wealth. Another issue tackled is capital punishment. Do you think people should be sentenced to death for committing serious crimes, in which it is you as an individual to judge and have the desire to live in a stable society? The purpose of the review is to offer my opinion and views on the novel, but not to discuss issues in details, just to identify. This is the general background of the novel.
The turning point of the novel is when Daniel's parents are arrested by the FBI for their involvement in a conspiracy to commit treason. Daniel's life dramatically changes. He has to accept life without parents, which is very hard and take responsibility at such a young age for taking care of his mentally unstable sister. The novel is set in 1960's America, which runs in parallel with the past and present. It is about the American society and the political extremist who want to voice their opinions and views.
If you have a passion for American history and politics, read The Book of Daniel. It is a good read, but you may find it a little heavy and disturbing.
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