At age 94, Wouk embarks on an autobiographical journey through his monumental writings (The Caine Mutiny
; The Winds of War
; War and Remembrance
), people he has met in his life, world events, and books he has read (including the Talmud) to weave a testament of faith. Throughout the book, he returns to his friendship with Nobel laureateRichard Feynman, whose work as a scientist on the atomic bomb and life as a humanist challenge the author’s Orthodox Jewish beliefs. Along the way the reader meets other scientists and their accomplishments and also some of Wouk’s fictional characters. What most impresses Wouk is the big bang (“the first three minutes”) and the small bang (“the universe giving birth to the mind”) so that humans could comprehend God. Ever so faithful to his Jewish heritage, he discusses how research in the scientific and secular world strengthened his faith. This book will interest any person of faith who has followed Wouk’s storied career and read his fiction. (Apr.)
