Michael J Cooper writes award-winning historical fiction set in the Holy Land at major turning points of history—all the while promoting the subversive notions of coexistence and peace. His books comprise a series of five novels (so far) and include; The Rabbi’s Knight set at the twilight of the Crusades in 1290, Wages of Empire set at the start of WW1 in 1914, Crossroads of Empire set during the first full year of WW1 in 1915, and Foxes in the Vineyard set in British Mandatory Palestine in 1948. A fifth novel, End of Empire set toward the end of WW1 will be published early next year.
A native of Berkeley, California, Cooper absconded to Israel after graduating high school in 1966 and studied at a Hebrew teacher’s academy as he experienced living in Jerusalem during the last year the city was divided between Israel and Jordan. He remained in Israel to work and study for the next decade; first studying biology at Hebrew University in Jerusalem while he taught English & guitar at the West Jerusalem YMCA. He then studied at Tel Aviv University Medical School for the next six years while he performed on Israel educational TV, toured as a professional musician, and worked shifts in local hospitals. Following graduation from medical school, he did two post graduate years of training before returning to the US to specialize in pediatrics and pediatric cardiology. He has recently retired after 40 years of active practice in Northern California, and for the past twenty years he has been returning to Israel twice a year for volunteer medical missions serving Palestinian children who lack access to care. He returned from his 27th mission to Palestine in July of 2026.
When not writing and traveling, Cooper lives with his wife in Northern California with a neurotic but lovable Golden Retriever – Ronan, and a spoiled-rotten cat – Lakeek 4.0. Three adult children occasionally drop by.
Listen to “Michael J Cooper Firebird Book Award Winner – THE RABBI’S KNIGHT” on Spreaker.