The Seed Apple

A mysterious family. An ancient journey. A tower with the power to change the course of the Cold War.

In The Seed Apple, acclaimed author Sheldon Greene weaves historical fiction, mystery, romance, mysticism, and magical realism into a compelling novel about identity, family, history, and the stories people believe about their origins.

Mendel Traig, a Holocaust survivor, encounters the Binyans, a Jewish Indian family living in the California desert. They claim their ancestors descended from the sailors of King Solomon and tell of an extraordinary journey from the disintegrating Mayan civilization of the Yucatán to a northern promised land.

But is their remarkable ancestral story historical truth—or a myth passed down through generations?

As the Cold War intensifies, Mendel falls for Sarah Cavanaugh, the engineer overseeing construction of a controversial tower on sacred ground. Its intended purpose is extraordinary: to communicate globally with the American nuclear submarine fleet.

The project sparks tensions that reach beyond politics and technology. The Binyan patriarch clashes with his brilliant son over the tower and the son's future, bringing generational conflict, tradition, and ambition into sharp focus. Meanwhile, the family's mysterious origins raise questions about cultural memory, belonging, and the boundaries between the possible and the fantastic.

Blending historical intrigue with humor, romance, and mysticism, The Seed Apple offers a distinctive take on Cold War historical fiction. Its unusual characters and layered story explore the intersections of Jewish heritage, ancient civilizations, family relationships, and the enduring power of belief.

A follow-up to Lost and Found, this thought-provoking novel is Book 2 of The American Quartet by Sheldon Greene.

• Discover The Seed Apple—a memorable read for those drawn to imaginative historical fiction, literary mysteries, magical realism, and stories that challenge the line between history and legend.