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"In an unprecedented literary accomplishment, Herman Wouk, one of America's most beloved and enduring authors, reflects on his life and times from the remarkable vantage point of 100 years old. Many years ago, the great British philosopher Sir Isaiah Berlin urged Herman Wouk to write his autobiography. Wouk responded, "Why me? I'm nobody." Berlin answered, "No, no. You've traveled. You've known many people. You have interesting ideas. It would do a lot of good." Now, in the same year he has celebrated his hundredth birthday, Herman Wouk finally reflects on the life experiences that inspired his most beloved novels. Among those experiences are his days writing for comedian Fred Allen's radio show, one of the most popular shows in the history of the medium; enlisting in the US Navy during World War II; falling in love with Betty Sarah Brown, the woman who would become his wife (and literary agent) for sixty-six years; writing his Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, The Caine Mutiny; as well as a big hit Broadway play The Caine Mutiny Court Martial; and the surprising inspirations and people behind such masterpieces as The Winds of War, War and Remembrance, Marjorie Morningstar, and Youngblood Hawke. Written with the wisdom of a man who has lived through two centuries and the wit of someone who began his career as professional comedy writer, the first part of Wouk's memoir ("Sailor") refers to his Navy experience and writing career, the second ("Fiddler") to what he's learned from living a life of faith. Ultimately, Sailor and Fiddler is an unprecedented reflection from a vantage point few people have lived to experience"--… (more)
User reviews
It takes some nerve to sum up a 100 year life in less than a hundred pages. It reads like fastforwarding a DVD or tape: blurry images and sudden stops to inch forward in detail, followed by another blur. For a public interested in glimpses of the real man and the real story, it
The luck part is his life. Wouk acknowledges it throughout: meeting the right people at the right time, getting boosts when needed, and of course the freedom of financial success. His wife (and agent and muse) lived until he was 96. The Sailor of the title is his time in navy, which led to breakthroughs in publishing after the war. The Fiddler is the Jewish portion of his life, with Israel and Jewish-focused books and all the relationships he built in Israel in the 60s and 70s. He tells us the inspiration or real names of the characters in his books, which he freely admits are taken from his own life. The more experiences he had, the books he could write. Now at 100, he says he has fulfilled all commitments and written all he intends.
It is a whirlwind, written breezily. One would expect no less from Herman Wouk.
David Wineberg
Mr. Wouk starts off the book telling about his days as a writer for Fred Allen for radio programs where his humor was put to great use. That was back in the day when radio was at its height of popularity. He talks about being influenced by the work of Mark Twain and Dumas, as well as his lost chance to do “Aurora Dawn” with Kurt Weil on Broadway. He also details the writing of each of his books and it was fascinating to watch the development of such well-known characters and how the books came about. He only touches here and there on his personal life and he says that bits of his life can be seen in his novels. He mentions diaries that he has written over the years but they are to remain private. This book is mostly about his work and his faith.
Even if you’re not familiar with Herman Wouk’s work, I think this book would appeal to those who enjoy reading about the publishing world and authors’ struggles. I do also recommend that you become acquainted with this author’s highly regarded masterpieces if you aren’t already. You won’t regret a minute spent in the company of the literary world created by Herman Wouk.
This book was given to me by the publisher through NetGalley and Edelweiss in return for an honest review.