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amandakitz's review against another edition
4.0
Very well written collection of memoirs by a Jewish novelist on his way of balancing science and religion, and the conversations and experiences that led him there. The actual meat of that balance between science and religion rests in the last chapter, but the memoirs along the way are enjoyable and insightful. I think this book would have been more interesting had I read the authors' novels first and therefore been motivated to hear his memoirs, novel excerpts, and explanations, but as my first time reading his works this was not unpleasant. I greatly enjoyed hearing this science versus religion conversation from a Jewish perspective, since so often such a conversation is dominated by Christian and atheist voices. Overall a good, thoughtful, insightful book.
sean67's review against another edition
2.0
The book commences with a story of Wouk meeting a man who tells him that calculus is the language of God.
Ultimately the book is a little interesting, but can't truly articulate the language of God, for as it says in Hebrews 1:1 - the language of God is now expressed through his son Jesus Christ.
This is Christ-less theology and it really is meaningless.
It is well written for what it is, but it just doesn't lead you anywhere.
Ultimately the book is a little interesting, but can't truly articulate the language of God, for as it says in Hebrews 1:1 - the language of God is now expressed through his son Jesus Christ.
This is Christ-less theology and it really is meaningless.
It is well written for what it is, but it just doesn't lead you anywhere.
brettp's review against another edition
3.0
Finished "The Language God Talks: On Science and Religion" by Herman Wouk. To quote from the book: "You are as ignorant of religion as I am of calculus." I wouldn't say I'm exceedingly well versed in either. I think I know more about religion than I do about calculus. It's funny, though, because every time the story edged toward religion, specifically Judaism, I felt like I did not identify with it. When the author wrote about himself, I really did not identify with him. But when the author wrote about Richard Feynman or about the science or calculus, I was hooked and wanted more. The same was true when he told stories about others that he encountered along the way. Then it would veer back to him and his other writings, and I just wanted to skip ahead. Your mileage may vary, of course.
scarlettletters's review against another edition
2.0
This book was a bit of a disappointment. Apparently the author is a novelist of some renown, not really a scientist. The narrative was mostly all over the place and rarely touched on the intersection of science and religion. He described scientific advances through history and talked about his own novels and Jewish faith but the phrase "science and religion" implies more than two separate discourses.
If you are interested in this book, I would suggest skipping to the end where he recounts his conversation about religion with Feynman. It was the only part that really delivered on what I was expecting.
If you are interested in this book, I would suggest skipping to the end where he recounts his conversation about religion with Feynman. It was the only part that really delivered on what I was expecting.
olliebolen's review against another edition
2.0
Wasn't what I expected--only got to what I wanted to read in the penultimate chapter. Mostly a memoir.
eyegee's review
3.0
I enjoyed getting to know Herman Wouk on these pages but I never did learn his view of how science and spirituality coexist. It was worth reading, however, if for no other reason than to learn a new Yiddish expression. Like all the best ones, it uses everyday images to express something universal. While studying Talmud with his grandfather, Woulk challenges him with a question about the role of modern science in relation to religion. In response, his grandfather smiles and asks him, "Where are you creeping on those lame paws?" Quintessential Yiddish.
beccak's review
4.0
Not at all what I expected, but still delightful. It doesn't really make the case for accepting both or one or the other. Expect a very long, personal essay, with interesting reflections on how some religious people feel about secular knowledge.
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