Dr. Michael J. Cooper is not just a retired pediatric cardiologist but a man whose life has intricately woven together the art of healing, the power of storytelling, and a profound dedication to reconciliation. His journey from pediatric cardiologist to an acclaimed author of historical fiction serves as a testament to the transformative power of compassion, personal growth, and a deep-rooted commitment to peace.
Born in Berkeley, California, Dr. Cooper’s connection to the Middle East began early. Raised in a Jewish family, he emigrated to Israel in 1966, eager to immerse himself in the culture and history of the region. For eleven formative years, he lived in Israel, studying biology at Hebrew University and attending Tel Aviv University’s Medical School, all while becoming deeply connected to both Jewish and Palestinian communities.
Throughout these years spent navigating complex relationships in a region with a long history of tension, Dr. Cooper realized something transformative: the shared bond that both Jews and Palestinians have to the land. This realization created empathy for the experiences of others. “Just as I felt a deep bond with this place, so did they; just as I loved this place, so did they!”
Dr. Cooper’s story is one of transformation, from a man with a strong connection to the land of Israel to one who has dedicated much of his career to medical missions in Palestine and the ideas of reconciliation and rapprochement. For over two decades, he has volunteered his medical expertise in the course of 26 missions to treat Palestinian children who lacked access to care, underscoring his commitment to healing and peace. His volunteer work, as well as his literary life, reflect a unique commitment: to heal the physical hearts of children as well as the figurative broken hearts of many Israelis and Palestinians who have witnessed the death of the peace process and have been left with a sense of hopelessness.
With the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin in 1995, Cooper experienced Rabin’s death with the same shock and sadness felt by millions throughout Israel and throughout the world. That’s when he decided to start writing. “I was determined to channel my grief into something of value, to insinuate a message of coexistence and peace into stories of historical fiction set in the Holy Land at pivotal moments of history—a vehicle that I hoped might change a few hearts and minds–precisely what I learned from the author, Richard Powers in The Overstory: ‘The best arguments in the world won’t change a single person’s mind. The only thing that can do that is a good story.’ That’s what I set out to do—to try to tell good stories.”
- His debut novel, Foxes in the Vineyard, set in 1948 Jerusalem during the 1948 Arab Israeli War, won the Grand Prize in the 2011 San Francisco Writers Conference contest. Foxes in the Vineyard raised the question; What if covert elements of Nazi Germany, secretly deployed to Palestine before the end of WWII, emerged in 1948, using terror to sow discord—driving jews and Arabs to war, driving the British from Palestine, and seizing Jerusalem as the new capital of the Third Reich? One newspaper review challenged readers: “Imagine a novel in which you find Mozart and Nazis, archeologists, hidden treasure, Knights Templar, lost loves, metaphysics and a little quantum physics…a rich, complex and erudite story.” Cooper will soon be releasing a revised second edition of Foxes in the Vineyard so that it will stand as the final book in a series, tentatively called Seasons of Empire, that will include the following three books with one more yet to be written.
The following three novels, which explore the rich tapestry of history, conflict, and reconciliation are already in place in final form in the series:
- Wages of Empire: A coming-of-age story set in WWI Ottoman Palestine, garnered the 2022 CIBA Rossetti Grand Prize for Young Adult Fiction and the 2022 First Place CIBA Hemingway Award for Wartime Historical Fiction in addition to the 2025 Pacific Book Award for best historical fiction, and the 2025 International Impact Awards for both Young Adult Fiction and for Military Fiction. Wages of Empire presents the 50-year-old hero of Foxes in the Vineyard, Evan Sinclair, as a sixteen-year young man in the summer of 1914, when he runs away from home to join the “Great War for Civilization.” Despite the war raging along the Western Front, Evan discovers that the true source of conflict emerges in Ottoman Palestine, since it’s from Jerusalem where the German kaiser dreams to rule as Holy Roman Emperor with dominion over Arabian oil and control of the Suez Canal. Other than Wilhelm II, other historical figures in this and his next book include Gertrude Bell, T.E. Lawrence, Winston Churchill, Chaim Weizmann, and Faisal bin Hussein.
- Crossroads of Empire: A sequel to Wages of Empire, was lauded for its gripping narrative and historical depth earning the 2023 First Place CIBA Hemingway Award for Wartime Historical Fiction, and the 2025 International Impact Award for Historical War and Military Fiction. Set in WWI in 1915, Evan nearly drowns when his hospital ship is sunk by a German U-boat in the English Channel. Left with amnesia, he fights to regain his memory, and comes to understand the hidden secrets of his bloodline—an unbroken lineage that stretches back to the Crusades and will determine his future role in the Great War.
- The Rabbi’s Knight is a prequel to the other novels, set against the backdrop of the 13th-century Holy Land during the twilight of the Crusades. The Rabbi’s Knight tells the riveting story of a Knight Templar, Jonathan St. Clair, who apprentices himself to a learned rabbi to discover how the hidden knowledge of Kabbalah might unlock the secrets of Jerusalem’s Temple Mount. Released in September of 2025, Kirkus’ review stated that, “Cooper brings to life an array of real-life figures, displaying a rich knowledge of history and culture and a deep understanding of the religious conflicts of the time. This page-turner always maintains forward momentum, and detail-oriented fans of historical fiction will find much to enjoy in these pages.”
Dr. Cooper’s writing stands out not only for its meticulous research but for the message it carries, an emphasis on reconciliation and peace through shared history. His novels are not simply historical fiction; they are a call for understanding, a plea for the recognition of common humanity. As the Historical Novel Society Review stated; “While there is a great deal of historical significance in this action-packed epic—the fall of Acre, the role of the Templars, the warring factions, the overarching message of this story is clear: with a common goal, all people of good faith can work together to find solutions.” This captures the essence of what drives his work, both in medicine and in storytelling.
His novels, though stand-alone, are united by three strong connecting threads: Jerusalem’s Temple Mount, the St. Clair/Sinclair bloodline, and the enduring concept of coexistence. His characters, whether fighting in WWI or navigating the complex political and religious landscapes of the Crusades, embody the hope that, despite history’s challenges, reconciliation and peace are not just possible—they are necessary.
In an industry often dominated by narratives of conflict and division, Dr. Cooper’s work stands as a beacon of hope and understanding. His expertise as a physician, his deep connection to the Middle East, and his commitment to telling the stories of those often forgotten by history make his writing resonate deeply.
Dr. Cooper’s stories transcend time, offering readers not only a window into the past but a mirror for the present. Whether recounting espionage in 1948 Jerusalem or the cultural tensions of the Crusades, his novels remind us that understanding and peace require empathy, and a shared commitment to the human experience.
For those seeking to explore the rich history of the Middle East through the lens of powerful storytelling, Michael J. Cooper’s works are a must-read. His narratives not only capture the essence of a region’s turbulent history but also reflect the universal desire for peace, coexistence, and mutual respect.
Explore Michael J. Cooper’s Novels and Discover the Power of History in Healing. Visit michaeljcooper.net to learn more about his works and upcoming releases.
