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Sailor and fiddler; reflection of a 100-year-old author
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.
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.
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First published December 8, 2015
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About the author
Herman Wouk
175 books1,365 followersHerman Wouk was a bestselling, Pulitzer Prize-winning Jewish American author with a number of notable novels to his credit, including The Caine Mutiny, The Winds of War, and War and Remembrance.
Herman Wouk was born in New York City into a Jewish family that had emigrated from Russia. After a childhood and adolescence in the Bronx and a high school diploma from Townsend Harris High School, he earned a B.A. from Columbia University in 1934, where he was a member of the Pi Lambda Phi fraternity and studied under philosopher Irwin Edman. Soon thereafter, he became a radio dramatist, working in David Freedman's "Joke Factory" and later with Fred Allen for five years and then, in 1941, for the United States government, writing radio spots to sell war bonds. He lived a fairly secular lifestyle in his early 20s before deciding to return to a more traditional Jewish way of life, modeled after that of his grandfather, in his mid-20s.
Wouk joined the United States Navy and served in the Pacific Theater, an experience he later characterized as educational; "I learned about machinery, I learned how men behaved under pressure, and I learned about Americans." Wouk served as an officer aboard two destroyer minesweepers (DMS), the USS Zane and USS Southard, becoming executive officer of the latter. He started writing a novel, Aurora Dawn, during off-duty hours aboard ship. Wouk sent a copy of the opening chapters to Irwin Edman who quoted a few pages verbatim to a New York editor. The result was a publisher's contract sent to Wouk's ship, then off the coast of Okinawa. The novel was published in 1947 and became a Book of the Month Club main selection. His second novel, City Boy, proved to be a commercial disappointment at the time of its initial publication in 1948.
While writing his next novel, Wouk read each chapter as it was completed to his wife, who remarked at one point that if they didn't like this one, he'd better take up another line of work (a line he would give to the character of the editor Jeannie Fry in his 1962 novel Youngblood Hawke). The novel, The Caine Mutiny (1951), went on to win the Pulitzer Prize. A huge best-seller, drawing from his wartime experiences aboard minesweepers during World War II, The Caine Mutiny was adapted by the author into a Broadway play called The Caine Mutiny Court Martial, and was later made into a film, with Humphrey Bogart portraying Lt. Commander Philip Francis Queeg, captain of the fictional USS Caine. Some Navy personnel complained at the time that Wouk had taken every twitch of every commanding officer in the Navy and put them all into one character, but Captain Queeg has endured as one of the great characters in American fiction.
He married Betty Sarah Brown in 1945, with whom he had three sons: Abraham, Nathanial, and Joseph. He became a fulltime writer in 1946 to support his growing family. His first-born son, Abraham Isaac Wouk, died in a tragic accident as a child; Wouk later dedicated War and Remembrance (1978) to him with the Biblical words, "He will destroy death forever."
In 1998, Wouk received the Guardian of Zion Award.
Herman Wouk died in his sleep in his home in Palm Springs, California, on May 17, 2019, at the age of 103, ten days before his 104th birthday.
Herman Wouk was born in New York City into a Jewish family that had emigrated from Russia. After a childhood and adolescence in the Bronx and a high school diploma from Townsend Harris High School, he earned a B.A. from Columbia University in 1934, where he was a member of the Pi Lambda Phi fraternity and studied under philosopher Irwin Edman. Soon thereafter, he became a radio dramatist, working in David Freedman's "Joke Factory" and later with Fred Allen for five years and then, in 1941, for the United States government, writing radio spots to sell war bonds. He lived a fairly secular lifestyle in his early 20s before deciding to return to a more traditional Jewish way of life, modeled after that of his grandfather, in his mid-20s.
Wouk joined the United States Navy and served in the Pacific Theater, an experience he later characterized as educational; "I learned about machinery, I learned how men behaved under pressure, and I learned about Americans." Wouk served as an officer aboard two destroyer minesweepers (DMS), the USS Zane and USS Southard, becoming executive officer of the latter. He started writing a novel, Aurora Dawn, during off-duty hours aboard ship. Wouk sent a copy of the opening chapters to Irwin Edman who quoted a few pages verbatim to a New York editor. The result was a publisher's contract sent to Wouk's ship, then off the coast of Okinawa. The novel was published in 1947 and became a Book of the Month Club main selection. His second novel, City Boy, proved to be a commercial disappointment at the time of its initial publication in 1948.
While writing his next novel, Wouk read each chapter as it was completed to his wife, who remarked at one point that if they didn't like this one, he'd better take up another line of work (a line he would give to the character of the editor Jeannie Fry in his 1962 novel Youngblood Hawke). The novel, The Caine Mutiny (1951), went on to win the Pulitzer Prize. A huge best-seller, drawing from his wartime experiences aboard minesweepers during World War II, The Caine Mutiny was adapted by the author into a Broadway play called The Caine Mutiny Court Martial, and was later made into a film, with Humphrey Bogart portraying Lt. Commander Philip Francis Queeg, captain of the fictional USS Caine. Some Navy personnel complained at the time that Wouk had taken every twitch of every commanding officer in the Navy and put them all into one character, but Captain Queeg has endured as one of the great characters in American fiction.
He married Betty Sarah Brown in 1945, with whom he had three sons: Abraham, Nathanial, and Joseph. He became a fulltime writer in 1946 to support his growing family. His first-born son, Abraham Isaac Wouk, died in a tragic accident as a child; Wouk later dedicated War and Remembrance (1978) to him with the Biblical words, "He will destroy death forever."
In 1998, Wouk received the Guardian of Zion Award.
Herman Wouk died in his sleep in his home in Palm Springs, California, on May 17, 2019, at the age of 103, ten days before his 104th birthday.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 141 reviews
October 18, 2022
Sailor and Fiddler: Reflections of a 100-Year-Old Author was a lovely memoir by a beloved author, Herman Wouk looking back on his life, much of it focused around his literary history and what his books meant to him personally. This has been such an important author in my life as I have been immersed in his books over the years. On the back of the book that I read was praise for Herman Wouk, winner of the first Lifetime Achievement Award from the Library of Congress:
__ Dr. James H. Billington, Librarian of Congress
"One of the world's great writers, a treasure whose works epitomize the best of American literature, Herman Wouk plumbs the deepest parts of the soul to bring us novels and other works that help us better understand human nature, its strengths as well as its weaknesses. . . . "
__ Dr. James H. Billington, Librarian of Congress
October 29, 2024
It was around this time last year that I read a writing life memoir that helped me to craft my reading year. As one who enjoys writing reviews almost as much as I love reading, I tend to be partial toward books where authors outline their life as writers, detailing where they got their inspiration from and how they have carved out their careers. Any book where I learn about the person behind the author and what lead him/her to write about certain subjects fascinates me. With the holidays behind me and having two months to wrap up what has been an enriching reading year, I turned to yet another book about the writing life, this time written by then centenarian Herman Wouk. That he wrote extensively about Jewish topics, I am surprised that I have never read any of Wouk’s seminal works before. His reflections of life at one hundred is my foray into his life and how he developed these works. While not long, I knew that if I needed an impetus to read Wouk, this was it and what a life this sailor and fiddler (story teller) lead.
Born in 1915 to Russian immigrants in the Bronx, Herman Wouk did not begin writing full time until after he left the Navy following World War II. Wouk did attend college, miraculous both due to his ststion in life and because it was during the Depression, and then went to work for Broadway ad men. The ideas behind his life as a full time writer had taken flight but he could not devote himself full time to this life because a global war derailed his plans. At age twenty seven, Wouk was a little old to be a navy ensign but the officers found his boss, the comedian Fred Allen, to be a funny man, so Wouk enlisted. He spent much of World War II on ships in the Pacific and met valuable contacts who would serve as consultants on many of his early work. Following the war, Wouk married his wife Betty Sarah, an astute woman who told him to never stop writing and later became his full time agent. Wouk read voraciously as an adolescent and got inspiration from Herman Melville and Mark Twain as well as from Don Quixote. Following the war, he used all these facets of his life to write his first best selling book The Caine Mutiny, which won the Pulitzer and was regarded as the first modern Navy book. Always doubting his abilities, Wouk repaired to St Thomas and would spend a good portion of his life in the Caribbean, both for relaxation and as an ideal writing location. Although nearing middle age at the time of Caine’s publication, Wouk was just getting started with this first hit novel.
Following Caine’s success, Wouk turned toward Jewish themes in his writing. Marjorie Morningstar, based off his sister’s life, was dubbed the first Jewish novel. Although Wouk does not state this here, Morningstar came at a time when the world still remembered the Holocaust and antisemitism still abounded in the United States. No one could deny Wouk’s skill as a writer, and his achievement of crafting Morningstar garnered him a place on the cover of Life magazine. Wouk and Sarah moved into the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C., on s block where they could live as Orthodox Jews and walk to shul each week. Splitting time between Washington, the Caribbean, and many trips to the newly formed nation of Israel, Wouk crafted his next major project, which would span thirteen years and nearly eighteen hundred pages of work. The Winds of War and then War of Remembrance became known as Wouk’s best and most well known work. During an era when television networks staged miniseries, both books made it to the small screen. They live on as television epics even for those who have not read either book. After these books’ publications, one would not begrudge Wouk to slow down. He still had stories to tell, one autobiographical and one about Israel. Although in his sixties, Wouk’s writing life had still not yet climaxed.
In his later life, the Wouks took many trips to Israel. Wouk befriended Golda Meir and played a role in negotiating the end of the 1972 war. His Israel book featured composites based on four people who were his friends in real life, men who served in the IDF and played a role in the the constant wars during the 1970s. Wouk’s homage to Israel grew too long to publish as one book so it became both The Hope and the Glory. As an author, Wouk never tired of stories to tell and was a sought after speaker for the rest of his life. His two tomes about World War II and two subsequent tomes featuring Israel were well crafted epics. More importantly, the stories gave readers a Jewish lens on world events at a time when the world still viewed Jews in most major professions from an anti semitic lens. Herman Wouk was a friend to Israel, and his stance shined through in his writing. The Hope and the Glory would be his last major works although he would continue to write and publish short pieces for the rest of his life. As he neared the century mark of his life, Wouk still had a lifetime of stories to tell, most of them preserved in over one hundred bound diaries. Those have yet to be published but contain a wealth of information about a man who lived an enriching writing life.
Just last month I posed to people to find a book about a Jew who inspired. Having never read any of Herman Wouk’s crowning achievements, I overlooked him at the time. Just this week in another group I am in, we were asked what our favorite family sagas are. All of us decided to tell our own family sagas rather than actual books that we have read. At age one hundred, Herman Wouk did not fall prey to ageism. He kept doing what he did best: write. Even if what he wrote once he hit the century mark were short pieces about his life, readers savored Wouk’s words of inspiration and advice of a life well lived. This short piece of nonfiction did not win awards for literary prowess unless there is an award for best book by a centenarian. Sailor and Fiddlee has been my entree into the words of Herman Wouk. I am now chomping at the bit to craft my next reading year, and I have a feeling that Wouk will enjoy a prominent place in it.
3.75 stars
Born in 1915 to Russian immigrants in the Bronx, Herman Wouk did not begin writing full time until after he left the Navy following World War II. Wouk did attend college, miraculous both due to his ststion in life and because it was during the Depression, and then went to work for Broadway ad men. The ideas behind his life as a full time writer had taken flight but he could not devote himself full time to this life because a global war derailed his plans. At age twenty seven, Wouk was a little old to be a navy ensign but the officers found his boss, the comedian Fred Allen, to be a funny man, so Wouk enlisted. He spent much of World War II on ships in the Pacific and met valuable contacts who would serve as consultants on many of his early work. Following the war, Wouk married his wife Betty Sarah, an astute woman who told him to never stop writing and later became his full time agent. Wouk read voraciously as an adolescent and got inspiration from Herman Melville and Mark Twain as well as from Don Quixote. Following the war, he used all these facets of his life to write his first best selling book The Caine Mutiny, which won the Pulitzer and was regarded as the first modern Navy book. Always doubting his abilities, Wouk repaired to St Thomas and would spend a good portion of his life in the Caribbean, both for relaxation and as an ideal writing location. Although nearing middle age at the time of Caine’s publication, Wouk was just getting started with this first hit novel.
Following Caine’s success, Wouk turned toward Jewish themes in his writing. Marjorie Morningstar, based off his sister’s life, was dubbed the first Jewish novel. Although Wouk does not state this here, Morningstar came at a time when the world still remembered the Holocaust and antisemitism still abounded in the United States. No one could deny Wouk’s skill as a writer, and his achievement of crafting Morningstar garnered him a place on the cover of Life magazine. Wouk and Sarah moved into the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C., on s block where they could live as Orthodox Jews and walk to shul each week. Splitting time between Washington, the Caribbean, and many trips to the newly formed nation of Israel, Wouk crafted his next major project, which would span thirteen years and nearly eighteen hundred pages of work. The Winds of War and then War of Remembrance became known as Wouk’s best and most well known work. During an era when television networks staged miniseries, both books made it to the small screen. They live on as television epics even for those who have not read either book. After these books’ publications, one would not begrudge Wouk to slow down. He still had stories to tell, one autobiographical and one about Israel. Although in his sixties, Wouk’s writing life had still not yet climaxed.
In his later life, the Wouks took many trips to Israel. Wouk befriended Golda Meir and played a role in negotiating the end of the 1972 war. His Israel book featured composites based on four people who were his friends in real life, men who served in the IDF and played a role in the the constant wars during the 1970s. Wouk’s homage to Israel grew too long to publish as one book so it became both The Hope and the Glory. As an author, Wouk never tired of stories to tell and was a sought after speaker for the rest of his life. His two tomes about World War II and two subsequent tomes featuring Israel were well crafted epics. More importantly, the stories gave readers a Jewish lens on world events at a time when the world still viewed Jews in most major professions from an anti semitic lens. Herman Wouk was a friend to Israel, and his stance shined through in his writing. The Hope and the Glory would be his last major works although he would continue to write and publish short pieces for the rest of his life. As he neared the century mark of his life, Wouk still had a lifetime of stories to tell, most of them preserved in over one hundred bound diaries. Those have yet to be published but contain a wealth of information about a man who lived an enriching writing life.
Just last month I posed to people to find a book about a Jew who inspired. Having never read any of Herman Wouk’s crowning achievements, I overlooked him at the time. Just this week in another group I am in, we were asked what our favorite family sagas are. All of us decided to tell our own family sagas rather than actual books that we have read. At age one hundred, Herman Wouk did not fall prey to ageism. He kept doing what he did best: write. Even if what he wrote once he hit the century mark were short pieces about his life, readers savored Wouk’s words of inspiration and advice of a life well lived. This short piece of nonfiction did not win awards for literary prowess unless there is an award for best book by a centenarian. Sailor and Fiddlee has been my entree into the words of Herman Wouk. I am now chomping at the bit to craft my next reading year, and I have a feeling that Wouk will enjoy a prominent place in it.
3.75 stars
January 8, 2016
As a reading fiend, it was hard to resist requesting an advance copy of this book from Netgalley. It's a very short autobiography written by a 100 year old (yes, 100 years old!) author reflecting back on his writing life. My own involvement with Wouk is fairly limited and mixed. I read and loved Marjory Morningstar as a teenager, and more recently started but could not get into the Winds of War. But still, I was curious. In Sailor and Fiddler, Wouk makes clear that his focus is his literary career, and he does not intend to touch much on his personal life. Apparently, that life is recorded in 100 volumes of handwritten journals that he has kept over his lifetime and that he intends to leave to one of his sons to edit and publish as he sees fit after his death. In the end, I did not find Sailor and Fiddler particularly interesting, but it is admirable. It's a fairly stream of consciousness recollection of what led Wouk to write each of his books, how the books were received and where he lived at various times while writing the books. The best part of the book for me was the recognition and love for his wife, who died a few years ago. If you can live to 100 and can still remember so much of your life and still have the ability to write, you should be allowed to write pretty much anything -- and for that it's hard to fault Wouk or his editors. I suspect this book will be well liked by people who are true fans of Wouk. For me, it was not particularly engaging, but it did make me feel like giving The Winds of War another try as well as some of his other books. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read an advance copy.
December 29, 2015
I’m very excited about the release of this book by Herman Wouk on January 5th. Books such as “Marjorie Morningstar”, “Youngblood Hawke”, “Winds of War” and “War and Remembrance” will always have a special place in my heart. I count them among the books that cemented my love of reading in my youth. So to see a memoir, even such a short one, written by Mr. Wouk at the age of 100 is truly a joy.
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.
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.
January 2, 2016
It is sad but true that I am a graduated English major who never read any Herman Wouk. Of course, I know of this author; Marjorie Morningstar has long been on my TBR list but the length is... prohibitive. But I enjoy biographies and requested an ARC from NetGalley on the basis of this being an autobiography of a 100-year-old man. It is not a biography plumbing the depths of Wouk's life (upon seeing the 100-page notation, I guessed that) but it is a charming (can one call a biography a novella? Maybe it's a novella-length biography?) read nonetheless. For such a celebrated author, Wouk has a rather dry sense of fame, not falling into the pitfalls of his own press. He also has a wry affection for his long-time wife (who died in 2011) that shines through in every mention of her.
A nice book for those who haven't read Wouk's work and one not to be missed for those who have.
A nice book for those who haven't read Wouk's work and one not to be missed for those who have.
January 30, 2016
A good read about a charmed life.
July 3, 2017
Not so much an autobiography as a scattering of recollections. Herman Wouk is a great story teller but not apparently when it comes to his life. He has some introspection, occasional analysis, a willingness to let himself look bad and a determination to remain a loyal husband to his now passed on wife. His Jewish identity is emphasized but with almost nothing about the personal coasts or advantages associated with his spiritual life and values. I cannot recommend Sailor and Fiddler to any except Herman Wouk’s most loyal fans.
I maintain a stack of books and movies I have read and have no intention of keeping. Sailor and Fiddler was headed to that stack as fast as I could close the cover on the last page. The good news is that it is short. 137 pages including the note from Joseph Heller. Because he did not begin this book until he was almost 100 years old, it reflects the any number of realities for a person of very advanced age. Things his students and future biographers would want to know may be forgotten, or protected or no longer important to the writer.
Herman Wouk can and has written some exciting and emotional novels. This is nice; Also incomplete and shallow.
I maintain a stack of books and movies I have read and have no intention of keeping. Sailor and Fiddler was headed to that stack as fast as I could close the cover on the last page. The good news is that it is short. 137 pages including the note from Joseph Heller. Because he did not begin this book until he was almost 100 years old, it reflects the any number of realities for a person of very advanced age. Things his students and future biographers would want to know may be forgotten, or protected or no longer important to the writer.
Herman Wouk can and has written some exciting and emotional novels. This is nice; Also incomplete and shallow.
May 22, 2019
Herman Wouk…what a mind he must have had…writing this memoir at age 100. And when he died at 103, he was working on another novel. Just incredible.
I enjoy reading books about an author’s writing process. Wouk’s novel, The Winds of War, is my favorite. I learned it took him seven years and much research to write it. I found his thought process about how to get into various aspects of the story interesting. Angst about book reviews, lists, and sales happened after every book was published, even as accomplished as he was.
Writing books enriched his life and brought him into contact with some of the world’s most interesting and powerful people. And he made the lives of his readers richer as well, mine included.
I enjoy reading books about an author’s writing process. Wouk’s novel, The Winds of War, is my favorite. I learned it took him seven years and much research to write it. I found his thought process about how to get into various aspects of the story interesting. Angst about book reviews, lists, and sales happened after every book was published, even as accomplished as he was.
Writing books enriched his life and brought him into contact with some of the world’s most interesting and powerful people. And he made the lives of his readers richer as well, mine included.
July 14, 2017
This is the last book, sad to say, for this 102 year old author. He has always been one of my most beloved authors. This book is a memoir written at 100 and it is about his reflections on his writing career. I have read many of his works and intent to read the rest of them. He won the Pulitzer Prize for “The Caine Mutiny” a well-loved book and wrote “the Winds of War” and “War and Remembrance” about WWII which also were popular miniseries in the 80’s and many other books. In this latest book, he has reached a major milestone of 100. In the title Sailor and Fiddler- the sailor represents his life as a writer, the fiddler is his spiritual side in which he writes about his Judaism and growing up in the Bronx. This is a slim volume for such a tour de force writer but it sums up what it means to him to be a writer.
April 3, 2018
I’m a big fan of Herman Wouk, ever since a copy of Marjorie Morningstar got into my husband’s box of books when we got married. The book belonged to his sister and had her young hand writing in it. I saved it and gave it back to her many years later.
This book is an interesting account of the many books he wrote and how they came about. He writes about them like they were his babies, which they are. He lived and is still living a fine life.
This book is an interesting account of the many books he wrote and how they came about. He writes about them like they were his babies, which they are. He lived and is still living a fine life.
July 21, 2018
Herman Wouk is one of my all time favorite authors. 'Inside, Outside' is my favorite book of his, although I have read and loved them all. This very slender book is his 'autobiography', or, as described "Reflections of a 100 year old author." A lovely, highly concise, autobiography, with wonderful notes about his works.
Read
March 20, 2019This was a great little audiobook, perfect for a long car ride. I didn't know anything about the author's life, but have been rewatching the Winds of War miniseries. This look into the life and thinking of an author from the era when a best-selling novel brought real monetary rewards made me a little jealous, but I enjoyed it very much. Wouk's humor was evident and he shared some interesting tidbits about the contributions his wife made to his decisions and career trajectory. Glad I read it.
April 21, 2020
Kind of wish Herman Wouk was my grandfather and shared all these stories with me, but I'll settle for his books. This was a peek behind the curtains with the real inspirations for his most memorable characters. I think he was certainly the most memorable of all of them.
April 14, 2022
At once a touching Summing Up, as well as a foundational text that brings Wouk's body of work together like no other piece of writing has done. Reader beware, spoilers about.
July 20, 2019
I was surprised that this book was so short considering the epic novels that the author has written. Quite a touching look back on a rich and interesting life.
February 2, 2016
A feisty, passionate memoir from one of America's great 20th century novelists.
Reading this book is like listening to a certain kind of dad -- or grandpa -- tell stories: there's a narrative through-line, but it's kind of rambly, and the details of the journey are far more interesting than any destination the storyteller might have in mind. I'm guessing the audio of this would be just as much of a delight as the print version. The pace is leisurely, but not too slow, and you can finish this very quickly if you want to curl up with for an hour or two.
The title refers to the two parts into which this memoir is divided: "Sailor" tells the story of Wouk's writing life, while "Fiddler" continues that story, but in the context of his identity as a cultural and religious Jew. In each section you'll learn how Wouk's works came to be, from the heavy hitters (The Winds of War, The Caine Mutiny, etc.) to the clinkers (his adventures as a playwright are pretty darned amusing in that "Oh well, what can you do?" kind of way). Wouk's love for his wife, his people, and his God runs throughout the text, making it both warm and witty. If you've never encountered him before, Wouk's memoir is a great place to learn about him, and decide which of his novels you'll want to read first (you will totally want to read his novels when he's done with you). If you already know from the man, you'll be even more delighted with the behind-the-scenes insights about the books you've enjoyed. Recommended for fans of both literature and memoir, plus anyone in need of a short, entertaining read.
Reading this book is like listening to a certain kind of dad -- or grandpa -- tell stories: there's a narrative through-line, but it's kind of rambly, and the details of the journey are far more interesting than any destination the storyteller might have in mind. I'm guessing the audio of this would be just as much of a delight as the print version. The pace is leisurely, but not too slow, and you can finish this very quickly if you want to curl up with for an hour or two.
The title refers to the two parts into which this memoir is divided: "Sailor" tells the story of Wouk's writing life, while "Fiddler" continues that story, but in the context of his identity as a cultural and religious Jew. In each section you'll learn how Wouk's works came to be, from the heavy hitters (The Winds of War, The Caine Mutiny, etc.) to the clinkers (his adventures as a playwright are pretty darned amusing in that "Oh well, what can you do?" kind of way). Wouk's love for his wife, his people, and his God runs throughout the text, making it both warm and witty. If you've never encountered him before, Wouk's memoir is a great place to learn about him, and decide which of his novels you'll want to read first (you will totally want to read his novels when he's done with you). If you already know from the man, you'll be even more delighted with the behind-the-scenes insights about the books you've enjoyed. Recommended for fans of both literature and memoir, plus anyone in need of a short, entertaining read.
January 7, 2016
"I adore Herman Wouk!"
Herman Wouk has long been one of my favorite authors. Winds of War and War and Remembrance are two of my top 5 books I have ever read. I have read each of them several times. This book popped up on my screen two days ago, I believe. I listened to the entire thing (yes, it is short) today. I especially loved the prologue and epilogue as Mr Wouk read those himself. I was very interested to hear the longing and sadness he shared with the mention of his son Abe; I was touched by his respect and loving talk of his wife. Mr Wouk shared about his writing life. He is humble and humorous. He is brilliant, and I love him.
Herman Wouk has long been one of my favorite authors. Winds of War and War and Remembrance are two of my top 5 books I have ever read. I have read each of them several times. This book popped up on my screen two days ago, I believe. I listened to the entire thing (yes, it is short) today. I especially loved the prologue and epilogue as Mr Wouk read those himself. I was very interested to hear the longing and sadness he shared with the mention of his son Abe; I was touched by his respect and loving talk of his wife. Mr Wouk shared about his writing life. He is humble and humorous. He is brilliant, and I love him.
March 30, 2021
I have been a committed fan of Herman Wouk ever since as a high school student I was introduced to "The Caine Mutiny". Over the years, nay decades, I was privileged to lose myself in such classics as "Marjorie Morningstar", and of course Mr. Wouk's masterpiece, the two volume set "The Winds of War" and "War and Remembrance". At the age of 100 we have his autobiographical summary of and reflections on his long and fruitful career. Those readers who have been deterred or put off by the heft that marks most of Mr. Wouk's works will be relieved that this book is surprisingly (and uncharacteristically) condensed but thoroughly readable and a delight. Until 120, Mr. Wouk!
February 29, 2016
At over 100 years old, Herman Wouk is one of the greatest living American writers. I have known about his book but not read any of his novels. Years ago I watched the TV mini series on The Winds of War and War and Remembrance (and listening to this book, I learned Wouk wrote all these screen plays).
SAILOR AND FIDDLER is a fascinating memoir. I loved the detail and storytelling in this book--which you would expect from such a respected novelist. His persistence and perseverance are lessons for every writer of every type. I enjoyed hearing this book cover to cover and recommend it.
SAILOR AND FIDDLER is a fascinating memoir. I loved the detail and storytelling in this book--which you would expect from such a respected novelist. His persistence and perseverance are lessons for every writer of every type. I enjoyed hearing this book cover to cover and recommend it.
July 13, 2016
2.5 stars
This wasn't a bad book, but it wasn't as interesting as I hoped it would be. Despite having moments that were extremely interesting and well written, I never felt 'hooked'. Maybe the book would have been more interesting had I been more familiar with Wouk/his body of work. That being said, you have to give it up to him for being able to continue to write at 100 years old!
This wasn't a bad book, but it wasn't as interesting as I hoped it would be. Despite having moments that were extremely interesting and well written, I never felt 'hooked'. Maybe the book would have been more interesting had I been more familiar with Wouk/his body of work. That being said, you have to give it up to him for being able to continue to write at 100 years old!
February 4, 2017
If you've read any of Wouk's great novels, you'll enjoy his musings on life and his writing process. This is a short memoir, well-written, and gives you a new outlook on the bulk of his work. The sailor part of the book relates to his stint in the military, and the fiddler to his religious background. Well worth reading.
June 4, 2023
3.5 stars
October 8, 2017
This is one of the strangest memoirs I have ever read and yet still very much enjoyed. Wouk's very brief biographic reflections feels less like the standard platitudes of a chronological history of the man himself as the central focus. Instead, he discusses his life as defined by the progression and creation of his novels. He peppers the stories with personal experiences but the book is about his work, not solely his ego. You begin to feel as if you've been invited into his living room and he is free associating with you about his career over a coffee. I've only started to read autobiographies in the last 5 years but this stands out as an "original" (a nod to the Navy rogue leaders in the book).
While he cannot avoid the expected egoism any great author may slip into while retelling his life's successes, he also heaps praise on what seems to be every collaborator, every mentor, and every inspiration for a character he encountered. You do not put this book down without feeling like all his beloved muses were given credit where credit was due.
The strongest of these collaborators is his wife, Betty Sarah Wouk. As he refers to her by her initials throughout the book while describing her fierce loyalty and passion, I stared to think of it as "Big Scary Wife". His constant praise of her support, ranging from making his lunches daily while he maniacally worked on his WWII epic or becoming his pitbull of an agent in later years, you realize this book is as much a love letter to her influence on his writing as much as it is historical perspective of his career.
Young authors would do well to read this book for no other reason than to realize no writer can be a complete egomaniac and prosper in both life and career as Wouk did for more than 40 decades. Wouk's underlying message seems to support a theory: a writing career is never solely one's own. It requires collaboration, research, reflection, and teamwork. And, maybe if you're lucky, the support of the love of your life.
While he cannot avoid the expected egoism any great author may slip into while retelling his life's successes, he also heaps praise on what seems to be every collaborator, every mentor, and every inspiration for a character he encountered. You do not put this book down without feeling like all his beloved muses were given credit where credit was due.
The strongest of these collaborators is his wife, Betty Sarah Wouk. As he refers to her by her initials throughout the book while describing her fierce loyalty and passion, I stared to think of it as "Big Scary Wife". His constant praise of her support, ranging from making his lunches daily while he maniacally worked on his WWII epic or becoming his pitbull of an agent in later years, you realize this book is as much a love letter to her influence on his writing as much as it is historical perspective of his career.
Young authors would do well to read this book for no other reason than to realize no writer can be a complete egomaniac and prosper in both life and career as Wouk did for more than 40 decades. Wouk's underlying message seems to support a theory: a writing career is never solely one's own. It requires collaboration, research, reflection, and teamwork. And, maybe if you're lucky, the support of the love of your life.
November 16, 2017
This is very much a brief history of tragedy, triumph and longevity, as Wouk recalls some of the highlights from his one hundred years (at time of writing he is still alive at 102). He reflects on the origins of his writing career, going from script writer working alongside Fred Allen for five years as a “Gag Czar”, to multi-prize winning author and success on Broadway. He also touches briefly on his time aboard the warship ‘Zane’ during WWII, where he would do much writing. From then on we only get snippets, hints and outlines of some of the major and minor events that happened to him over the many years.
I knew next to nothing about Wouk before picking this up, I have heard of “The Caine Mutiny”, but I couldn’t have told you that it was him that wrote it. We have to keep in mind that this biography was written by a man in his late nineties. And it’s fair to say that this is hardly a time when a writer is either on the top of their creative game, or indeed at the height of their powers of recollection and articulation.
Wouk comes across as a fairly grounded and pleasant man, who has certainly lead a most interesting and varied life, and there was some interesting stuff in here, but I couldn’t find anything at all that made it anything more than mediocre. In saying that, I do look forward to checking out some of his fiction one day, as some of the descriptions sound really interesting.
March 20, 2017
A short but vital read, Sailor & Fiddler has much to say (often between the lines) about persistence, courage, commitment, and marriage. This is not a "tell all" memoir. Wouk clearly disdains that trend in writers writing about writing, and stresses he's not so much an "artist" as a "working writer." (He's also poured his emotional life into his private journals and the characters of his novels - - Youngblood Hawke is described as a cautionary tale of what would have happened if Wouk had not met or married the woman who became his wife.) But what art he's created! I finished this book more eager than I already was to tear into Marjorie Morningstar (largely because I wanted to read Mose The Lawgiver), and it turns out I now have about six more Wouk books I have to read (I just ordered This Is My God today). Nor is this book a "how to" write, or an author doing self-marketing while pretending to be instructing other writers. Yet there are enormous lessons to be learned between the lines of this book about persistence in the face of seeming defeat (many of Wouk's books began as ignored or worse), the balm of meaningful work, and the grace of love and marriage that balances commitment with a clear-eyed appraisal of one's life-partner. Unfortunately, this is a quick book (I read it across a day-and-a-half), but that just means I'll have to re-read it again one day.
November 21, 2018
Sometimes, a book comes out of nowhere and utterly delights me. I had been reading The Bazaar of Bad Dreams by Stephen King and one of the stories in that collection was "Herman Wouk Is Still Alive". I happened to own one Wouk book (The Winds of War) but had not yet read it. The King story, which was written sometime before 2015, led me to Wikipedia to find out when Herman Wouk died. It turns out that he is, as the man said, still alive at 103 as of this writing. I noted that he had a published a brief memoir around his 100th birthday. I picked it up and put it down a few hours later, completely satisfied.
For a man who has lived so long, and written so much, this was almost the perfect coda to his professional life. A short book, he highlights key moments in his writing and personal life that give the book just the right personal touch. I came away from the book with the promise to read The Caine Mutiny and to try other Wouk volumes.
For a man who has lived so long, and written so much, this was almost the perfect coda to his professional life. A short book, he highlights key moments in his writing and personal life that give the book just the right personal touch. I came away from the book with the promise to read The Caine Mutiny and to try other Wouk volumes.
January 26, 2020
It was truly a worthwhile experience to read Herman Wouk's "Sailor and Fiddler". I read "War and Remembrance" in middle school, but it was awesome to take a week to read his perspective on his life's work in retrospect as a centenarian. He is unique in that he was able to both be successful and maintain his faculties long enough to reflect back in retrospect on the successes and failures he experienced.
I think there is a lot to be learned from this for anyone, history lover or not. Herman Wouk lived through some of the most defining times of American History. He kept his wits and pushed himself to stay true to his profession and convictions even when others wanted him to change.
What an interesting take on the 20th century. A quick read and worth it to learn a bit about how the "industry" worked for early to mid century writers. A bit over the top at times, and clearly verbose, but considering he is a centenarian, I can live a bit with it. Enjoyed it. Worth checking out.
I think there is a lot to be learned from this for anyone, history lover or not. Herman Wouk lived through some of the most defining times of American History. He kept his wits and pushed himself to stay true to his profession and convictions even when others wanted him to change.
What an interesting take on the 20th century. A quick read and worth it to learn a bit about how the "industry" worked for early to mid century writers. A bit over the top at times, and clearly verbose, but considering he is a centenarian, I can live a bit with it. Enjoyed it. Worth checking out.
August 12, 2018
I'm not sure how this slim volume of a memoir landed on my night table, but I'm glad it did. The conversational intimacy with which Herman Wouk writes this account of his career, his creative process and his faith made me feel like I was sitting with a favorite wise elder. He has a wonderful sense of humor and, amazingly, still a sense of wonder at his own success. In some ways, the star of his career and life was his clear-eyed wife Sarah; she always seemed to have a vision of where he should focus his work. I am now very curious about that work, and thanks to this book, I have added six or seven books to my reading bucket list. It was particularly interesting to me to read about how he went about writing some of his longest works.
May 18, 2019
Herman Wouk passed away yesterday, May 17, 2019, ten days shy of his one hundred and fourth Birthday. So, to honor him, as perhaps my favorite author of my lifetime, last night I read "Sailor and Fiddler: Reflections of a 100-Year-Old Author." He was not one to boast about his accomplishments, but in this book he writes about his childhood, education, military service, marriage and how he came to write his books. Along the way he sprinkles glimpses into his character and personality that supplements the writing style you see in his books.
Anyone who wishes to know more about this brilliant author would be well served to read this short book. And, if you love great writing and want to learn something of history along the way, I suggest you read Mr. Wouk's excellent historical novels.
February 5, 2019
Refreshing
I first read his books in college in the late 1970s. I was looking for an author whose writing style might help me to strengthen my own scribbling, and sure enough his material did the trick. The Winds of War and War and Remembrance meant a lot me on many historical and spiritual levels.
Reading Sailor and Fiddler brought back many pleasant memories of other books like Aurora Dawn, The Caine Mutiny, Marjorie Morningstar, Youngblood Hawke, The Hope, and The Glory. I thought about these last two books when visiting Israel for the first time last fall 2018.
Well done, Mr. Wouk!
I first read his books in college in the late 1970s. I was looking for an author whose writing style might help me to strengthen my own scribbling, and sure enough his material did the trick. The Winds of War and War and Remembrance meant a lot me on many historical and spiritual levels.
Reading Sailor and Fiddler brought back many pleasant memories of other books like Aurora Dawn, The Caine Mutiny, Marjorie Morningstar, Youngblood Hawke, The Hope, and The Glory. I thought about these last two books when visiting Israel for the first time last fall 2018.
Well done, Mr. Wouk!
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