Mitchell James Kaplan graduated with honors from Yale University, where he won the Paine Memorial Prize for Best Long-Form Senior Essay submitted to the English Department. His first mentor was the author William Styron. After college, Kaplan lived in Paris, France, where he worked as a translator, then in Southern California, where he worked as a screenwriter and in film production."By Fire, By Water" is his first novel. He lives in Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania with his family. Reviews of "By Fire, By Water" (so far):Kaplan's portrait of the political and personal problems facing a powerful converso courtier successfully evokes the religious and cultural complexity of Spain on the eve of Columbus' voyage and the expulsion of the Jews." - Adam Shear, Professor of Medieval History, University of Pittsburgh and prize-winning author of The Kuzari and the Shaping of Jewish Identity, 1167-1900, Cambridge University Press, 2008 "[A] brilliant and poetic novel of decent people in a world gone mad... Author Mitchell James Kaplan writes with breathtaking poetry and compassion... A rich story, a wonderful book, a deeply feeling writer." - Stephanie Cowell, author of Claude and Camille"[Mitchell Kaplan is] an enormously gifted writer. The language and narrative movement are graceful, impeccable, authentic, and a pleasure to read. The subject is a powerfully important one, one that has not been tackled well in past works. By Fire, By Water captures the reader immediately and... will have many readers." -- award-winning poet Myra Sklarew, author of Over the Rooftops of Time"Beautifully written, By Fire, By Water is a powerful story of religion, love and violence--timeless themes honed by Kaplan into an enthralling narrative that doesn't let up until the last sentence." -- Simon Read, author of War of Words"Kaplan has done remarkable homework on the period and crafted a convincing and complex figure in Santángel in what is a naturally cinematic narrative and a fine debut." -- Publishers Weekly"Debut novelist Kaplan depicts a turbulent period in 15th-century Spain, focusing on the story of Aragon's royal chancellor... Deftly moves through a complex web of personal relationships, religious zeal and political fervor."-- Kirkus Reviews"[Kaplan's] portrayal of this remarkable man and woman and their struggles to reconcile their past with their future amidst a rising storm of persecution humanizes his tale; and his evocation of a troubled Spain at the crossroads of its own past and future is equally well drawn." -- CW Gortner, author of The Confessions of Catherine de Medici"Kaplan's knowledge of daily life in 15th-century Spain, as well as the political intrigues of the court and the church, make for an engrossing read... Real men and women rather than historical caricatures." -- Patricia O'Sullivan, Historical Novels Review"A heart wrenching tale told with  skill...Mitchell James Kaplan has effectively written a powerful story that I will always remember." --  Marie Burton, The Burton Review"Blending artistry with intense drama and violence, BY FIRE, BY WATER... [is]  so well done that it would be hard to imagine how it could be made better. It's rare to find historical fiction this intense and exquisite. The book is as touching to read as it is disturbing. Every detail is sharp and stunningly described." --  Melanie Smith, Bookreporter.com"Kaplan's writing is exceptional, his intelligence and research on the subject superb. I look forward to reading many more of his books in the future." --  Amy Bruno, Passages to the Past"A very moving and illuminating novel... based on a solid foundation of historical facts." -- Layers of Thought (www.layersofthought.net)Meticulously researched... A story of a people, the conversos, searching for their history... Very literary... Historical fiction lovers will enjoy it for the numerous historical personas as well as descriptions of life in medieval Spain. -- Arleigh Johnson, historical-fiction.comAn historical novel of depth, passion and faith which held me spellbound. Big, passionate, brilliantly written, full of court intrigue and religious politics... Kaplan's descriptions are gorgeous. He effortlessly transports the reader into the past. - www.caribousmom.comThis incredible book captured me... Is it a light read; no. Is it a happy story; sometimes. Is it an important story; yes. -- booksandchat.net"Terrific." - Luke Ford, lukeford.net"A gifted wordsmith and a story teller second to none." - Basia Or-Rafael, Michal'sTeffilin (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Michals-Tefillin/148052994492)"This novel recreates a historical moment of vast and far-reaching changes as well as the complex personality of Santángel, the high government official who placed his hopes for redemption far beyond his society's horizons." - Reform Judaism Magazine (Fall, 2010)"Kaplan's greatest success is in his ability to portray the inner lives of his characters." - Washington Jewish Week (7/22/2010)"A beautifully crafted novel... This book has it all - suspense, intrigue, religion, romance and history." Heather Smith, www.actingbalanced.com"Kaplan writes in a vivid and fluid manner, his characters are realistic, the scenes at times almost too vividly described... A brilliant debut." Jennifer Higgins, www.rundpinne.com"The descriptions of places and people are vivid and real. You feel the love, hate, fear, paranoia, and sadness. It was like an emotional roller coaster that I couldn't get off!" - Kelsey's Book Conerhttp://kelseyopsahl.blogspot.com/2010/07/review-by-fire-by-water-by-mitchell.html"I have read numerous novels set during the time of the Spanish Inquisition... None can compare with the power and beauty of By Fire, By Water... Not only is this book a vivid historical account of the time, it is also a beautifully composed love story that will take your breath away." renees-reads.blogspot.com"Fast-paced and suspenseful." Kathleen Kelly, Celtic Lady's Reviews (http://celticladysreviews.blogspot.com/2010/07/by-fire-by-water-by-mitchell-james.html)"This book, the first novel by Mitchell James Kaplan, will stay with you a long time. If you like historical novels, this is for you. If you like religious history, this is for you. If you like character studies of complex people, some fictional, some historical, this is the ticket!" - Vicki Goode, The Goode Word (http://vickicgoode.blogspot.com/2010/07/by-fire-by-water.html"I can not believe this is Mitch Kaplan's first novel.  The time period is so intricate yet he weaves each of the conflicts together through the protagonist.  Without being superfluous, he describes the beauty of Spain, along with the architecture, in a visceral manner.  The story moves along succinctly yet includes all the necessary information to understand the conflict and history... The history is incredibly well researched." - A Musing Reviews (http://amusingreviews.blogspot.com/2010/08/this-historical-novel-is-set-in-pivotal.html)"A superb debut novel that contained everything I always hope to find in historical fiction... Obviously well-researched, a beautifully written, powerful and moving story... Has definitely earned a place on my 10 Best Historical Fiction list." - Tell Me A Story (http://cat-bookmagic.blogspot.com/2010/09/review-by-fire-by-water-by-mitchell.html)"Excellent." - (http://lifeisapatchworkquilt.com/blog/?p=2688)"A must-read." - Lee Chottiner in the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle (http://www.pittchron.com/view/full_story/9358721/article-%E2%80%98By-Fire--By-Water%E2%80%99-a-must-read-?instance=home_news_style_right)"A grand novel that shows not only Kaplan's knack for storytelling, but also his eye for details and willingness to do extensive research." - Rege Behe in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (http://pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/ae/books/s_697662.html)"Must take its place as one of the most important contemporary historical novels with a Jewish theme. One could also argue that its portrayal of religious and ethnic hatred in the Spain of Ferdinand and Isabella (or, as Kaplan calls them, Fernando and Ysabel ) is a better way to understand the Jewish world today than the work of many of the hip, hyped young Jewish novelists clawing to the top of literary New York." - Matt Beynon Rees in Ha'aretz (http://www.haaretz.com/culture/books/the-key-to-return-1.311999"Kaplan has done an immense amount of research with By Fire, by Water, never overloading the reader with facts and details, but skillfully interweaving them so the reader is taken along on this enchanting story with actual events, as well as learning a lot on fifteenth century Spain, and this fractious period in history." - Alex C. Telander, Book Banter (http://bookbanter.wordpress.com/category/fiction/historical-fiction-fiction/)"Kaplan left me feeling that his research on the Spanish Inquisition  was sound and extensive... I really enjoyed this book!" - The Book Whisperer (http://boofsbookshelf.com/2010/09/30/mummy-whisperer-reviews-by-fire-by-water-by-mitchell-kaplan/)"A beautiful tapestry... Despite its epic sweep, By Fire, By Water is also an intimate portrait of a remarkable individual..." - Tirdad Derakshani, Philadelphia Inquirer (http://www.philly.com/inquirer/magazine/20101007__By_Fire__By_Water__delves_into_key_moment_in_Jewish_history.html)For more information about Mitchell James Kaplan and his first novel, "By Fire, By Water" visit www.mitchelljameskaplan.com