Herman Wouk
Herman Wouk was an American novelist best known for his epic war novels, with one of his most popular books being The Caine Mutiny.
Novelist
May 27, 1915
Gemini
May 17, 2019
103
New York City, New York
Herman Wouk was a renowned American author who specialized in historical fiction. He gained fame for his Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, “The Caine Mutiny” (1951), which was later adapted into a successful film and play. Other significant works by Wouk include “Winds of War” and “War and Remembrance,” both of which were turned into television miniseries. Wouk, who served in World War II and received the Navy Cross for his service, passed away on May 17, 2019, at 103 years old.
Besides his celebrated novels, Wouk was a member of the Alpha Delta Phi literary society at Columbia University and wrote several plays for the dramatics society. He had an extensive writing career, with 243 books listed on Goodreads and over 267,919 ratings. Although his second novel, “City Boy,” initially faced commercial disappointment, Wouk’s skill and success as a novelist became apparent over time. Drawing inspiration from his experiences in the Pacific during World War II, his novels explored the moral and ethical choices made by ship captains and officers at sea. “The Caine Mutiny,” in particular, became a best-seller, cementing Wouk’s status as a prominent American novelist.
