"Rich Man, Poor Man," one of the most successful U.S. TV miniseries of the 1970s, was based on a book by which author?

The 1976 American ABC television miniseries "Rich Man, Poor Man" was based on the 1969 novel of the same name by Irwin Shaw. As a miniseries, "Rich Man, Poor Man" followed the ups and downs of the Jordache brothers--Rudy (Peter Strauss, "Masada") and Tom (Nick Nolte, "48 Hours"). Starting at the close of World War II. it goes through to the late '60s.

Allusions to race relations, the Rosenberg trials, and other topical issues provide a backdrop to the tumultuous soap opera of these two brothers. Julie Prescott (Susan Blakely, "The Towering Inferno"), Rudy's high-school sweetheart and eventually his wife had a major role to play. Rudy's ambition leads him into politics; Tom struggles as a boxer and can't seem to find happiness.

Julie falls into an unhappy marriage, a career in journalism, and alcoholism. At the time, one of the most interesting aspect of "Rich Man, Poor Man" was its honesty about how men and women behaved; it also presented a very frank view on women's desires and the instability of marriages.

It's now no surprise that Nolte was called the breakout star from the series. His energy and spontaneity (not to mention his great personal appeal) popped out. He wasn't a wooden character; he gives more than a solidly capable performance.

Thus the success of "Rich Man, Poor Man" led to "Rich Man, Poor Man: Book II" being made!