Biography Essay

Herman Wouk, novelist and dramatist, has written twelve novels and four plays. Though the critical response to his works varies as much as the subject matter, at least eight of the novels were bestsellers and two of his plays were popular and critical successes. A reading of his works makes the reasons for their popularity apparent: each displays his expertise at composing a compelling narrative.

Born in New York City on 27 May 1915, Herman Wouk is the son of Abraham Isaac and Esther Levine Wouk, both Russian-Jewish immigrants. His father began as a three-dollar-per-week laundry laborer and became the owner of a laundry chain. Wouk spent most of his youth in the Bronx and attended Townsend Harris High School from 1927 to 1930. He majored in comparative literature and philosophy at Columbia University, and in 1934 he received a bachelor of arts degree with general honors. At Columbia, Wouk began...