Avraham S. Steinberg ’02, better known by friends and fans as Avi, has a new book and a glowing review from The New York Times. But, years ago, the former History and Literature concentrator from Kirkland barely finished his senior thesis. “I handed in my thesis without the last page,” he said. “It ends mid-sentence.”
The thesis on Bugs Bunny ended up winning the undergraduate Perry Miller Prize. Steinberg’s most recent project is a book titled “Running the Books: The Adventures of an Accidental Prison Librarian.” The memoir recounts his time employed at the Suffolk County House of Corrections, and profiles the relationships the author developed with the inmates. “I wouldn’t say I saw that coming,” said Peter Lurie, Steinberg’s senior thesis advisor and former History and Literature tutor. “But I easily could have anticipated Avi doing something socially conscious.”
Brad R. Sohn ’02, Steinberg’s three-year college roommate, agrees. “Avi working as a prison librarian probably trumps Chris Nowinski leaving Harvard to become a WWF wrestler on the unlikely Harvard careers list.”
Looking back, Steinberg says he now has the ability to value the times he was just hanging out at Harvard. While most students feel that spare time is unproductive, the author argues the contrary. “As an undergrad, I had long lunches,” he said. “So many creative relationships are created in this setting.” So stay a little longer in the dining hall. You’re not being idle—you might end up writing a book someday.
