The Language God Talks: On Science and Religion

By: Herman Wouk

Narrated by: Bob Walter

Length: 5 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

"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 such scientists 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.

©2010 Herman Wouk (P)2010 Hachette

Critic reviews

"In a crowded book market filled with self-serving and redundant theories about humankind's place in the grand scheme, it is rare to encounter an original, honest, charming voice. Such is the case with Wouk's latest work....Wouk's humility, humor and insight make the book a joy to read and a wonder to contemplate...Authentic, accessible prose mixed with real insight." ( Kirkus Reviews)

Ramblings of an Old Man

A life-long devout Jew, Herman Wouk seeks to reconcile the unreconcilable. His narrative is anchored by three meetings with Richard Feynman wherein the physicist becomes increasingly interested in Wouk’s point of view. Wouk’s Feynman is not a consistent with the descriptions of others who knew him and seems to accept Wouk’s assertions without the questions one would expect a scientist to ask. As for his own faith, Wouk seems more to embrace the traditions of his upbringing and heritage than to articulate a certainty in the existence of the God engaged in the lives of his creations.

Savoring his major works and the resulting adulation, Wouk too often drifts to topics unrelated to either science or religion. He is a good writer and his ramblings provide a pleasant, though somewhat incoherent, diversion.

Must read if you're a big Wouk Fan

What made the experience of listening to The Language God Talks: On Science and Religion the most enjoyable?

First, if you haven't read other Wouk books, you won't "get" or enjoy this. In spite of the title, this is not really a book about science or God. It's a book about Herman Wouk and his personal thought and growth. If you want to know what makes Wouk tick and what makes his characters tick, this is a great listen.I particularly enjoyed the breakdown of the War and Remembrance characters but that's because War and Remembrance is my favorite book of all time.

Would you recommend The Language God Talks: On Science and Religion to your friends? Why or why not?

Only if you're a fan of the Wouk classics such as War and Remembrance and The Caine Mutiny.

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

Wouk's view of how science and religion can be reconciled (or, really, how it can't be, but doesn't need to be) is interesting.

Wouk is a master

If you could sum up The Language God Talks: On Science and Religion in three words, what would they be?

A wonderfully thought-provoking thesis on the relationship between god and science, with a hefty dose of talmudic thought mixed in. Wouk explains why he believes in god, and how he has explained that belief to some of the greatest scientific minds of the 20th century, including Richard Feynman. The narrator has a wonderful voice that brings this book to life.

Richard Feynman, God and Herman Wouk

Would you consider the audio edition of The Language God Talks: On Science and Religion to be better than the print version?

Yes, but I always "hear" books. I do not read them. I bought the print version for my two daughters as they enjoy reading books.

What did you like best about this story?

The special and unique fabric that Wouk weaves between himself and Feynman. Wouk is a very special story teller as the thread he sews touches on cosmology, God, the culture of how we live in religion and how we see what we are capable of understanding and/or accepting in faith. It gave me the chance to relive a brief meeting I had with Feynman a half century ago.

Herman Wouk never fails

This is a wonderful autobiography of a God fearing modern Jew, author, WW2 U.S. Naval Warrior who lived to the fullest in modernity while taking comfort and knowledge from the Jewish past, it's history and an ancjent texts including study of the Talmud. One of the most interesting parts include his friendship with Feynman the great theoretical bongo playing physicist, though Jewish was a nonbeliever. There friendly debates concerning belief and nonbelief and whether science negates religion. Wouk rejects the idea that faith and science are incompatable. Wouk as always has his sweet prose sing out. The narrator is also great. !!

I would recommend this book to Christians, Jews and especially nonbelievers. Herman Wouk z"l, rest in peace!

amazing!

wasn't really sure where this book was going at first but I stayed with it and boy did it pay off!

Meh

Not what I expected. If you are a fan of his other works it would be interesting to see how the seed of this work was sowed years ago and hear about how he wrote the others, but there't nothing new here and it plods along. The main thesis of his views on religion aren't even in the book, but in an appendix which is a reprint from an earlier work. Not worth the time, really. . .

Could Not Finish

I just cannot finish this one; it is just so boring to me. It takes awhile for me to give up on a book and I will continue to listen to it well after I get board, but I just could not do it. It seemed to be a collaboration of the writers random thoughts and experiences. It is not really about science or religion at all.