Forward

“An accomplished, clear-eyed, and affecting memoir about a man who is at once ordinary and extraordinary….”

Wall Street Journal

“...The ultimate recognition of her father’s painful need for connection is searing, the depiction of the Jewish community in World War I-era Warsaw riveting. Not only does Ms. Tannen’s heartfelt portrait keep her father—and his memories—alive, but her story also hints at the undiscovered currents that may await us, too, if we but delve beneath the surface of our own family myths.”

PDF version

Washington Post

“Eli Tannen’s century-spanning Jewish American life is well worth reading about.”

Audiofile — Audiobook review

“Author Deborah Tannen's sentimental exploration of her father's letters makes this audiobook one that listeners will enjoy and remember. Tannen's delivery is warm, filled with love, and ideally paced for savoring.”

Kirkus

“Drawing on abundant sources, sociolinguist Tannen creates a loving biography of her father…who indelibly shaped her life. A generous and empathetic portrait.”

BookPage

“Deborah Tannen is an expert on how we use words to both reveal and hide ourselves from the people who mean the most to us….Finding My Father is a beautifully constructed patchwork that Tannen has pieced together from her father’s words.”

Publishers Weekly

“Tannen examines the life of her father in this passionate memoir….Tannen’s readers will appreciate this tender-hearted paean to her father.”

Thrive Global

“Did you ever wonder about your father’s life before your were born? Deborah Tannen wanted to know more and spent decades interviewing her father and reading his journals after he retired…. She shares this journey of discovery in her book, Finding My Father.”