The Language God Talks: On Science and Religion

Author: Wouk, Herman

Edition: 1

Number Of Pages: 183

Details:

"More years ago than I care to reckon up, I met Richard Feynman." So begins The Language God Talks, Herman Wouk's gem on navigating the divide between science and religion. In one rich, compact volume, Wouk draws on stories from his life as well as on key events from the 20th century to address the eternal questions of why we are here, what purpose faith serves, and how scientific fact fits into the picture. He relates wonderful conversations he's had with scientists such as Feynman, Murray Gell-Mann, Freeman Dyson, and Steven Weinberg, and brings to life such pivotal moments as the 1969 moon landing and the Challenger disaster. Brilliantly written, The Language God Talks is a scintillating and lively investigation and a worthy addition to the literature. From Publishers Weekly 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.) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. From Booklist The first half of Wouk’s third book on religion (after This Is My God, 1959, and The Will to Live On, 1999) is as engaging as his megaselling historical novels. It’s about his encounters with famous scientists, foremost among them physicist Richard Feynman, who suggested Wouk learn the “language God talks”—calculus. Wouk tried, unsuccessfully, but anyway kept on meeting and palavering with scientists, a habit acquired researching the atom bomb for The Winds of War (1971) and War and Remembrance (1978). His recounting of the science history he learned, predominantly about space exploration, is done so personably that stargazing laypersons ought to be tickled pink. He uses a little paleoanthropology and more WWII research to bridge from science to religion but then, unfortunately, bogs down abstracting the Battle of Leyte and Holocaust episodes in the war novels. He finishes well, though, with an imaginary dialogue with Feynman that winningly binds him and the physicist as Jews and affirms the continuing viability of questioning God. Hard not to like. --Ray Olson

Reviews:

"In this book, as in his previous ones, whenever Herman Wouk speaks of God it is always with both exquisite curiosity and warmth."

― Elie Wiesel

"Wouk's questions are pure, his exploration heartfelt, and his remarkable lifetime of experience couldn't be more relevant or necessary."

― Jonathan Safran Foer

"With ease and intensity, Wouk leads us deep into the shadows between religion and science and shows us they are not separate mountains but one luminous, interconnected landscape. And yet, like the best of guides, he urges us to see and discover with our own eyes. A stunning rumination on life's important questions by a masterful storyteller."

― Marisha Pessl, author of Special Topics in Calamity Physics

"Masterful...After several readings, I keep finding new treasures in this fascinating book."

― Maarten Schmidt, Francis L. Moseley Professor of Astronomy, Emeritus, California Institute of Technology

"Extraordinary. Wouk's recounting of conversations with Richard Feynman is ...

EAN: 9780316078450

Release Date: 05-04-2010

Languages: English

Item Note: Great shape- pages are unmarked and sharp.Has a remainder mark. Hardcover Used - Like New Ships fast! 20101st Edition

Item Condition: UsedLikeNew

Binding: Hardcover